Teaching children how to write instructions can be tricky. They need to think carefully about order, clarity, vocabulary and the needs of their reader, all at the same time.
The good news is that instruction writing does not have to begin with something predictable. Asking your class to explain how to make a magical potion, care for a baby dragon or survive at sea can make learning the features of instructions much more memorable.
In fact, almost any Pobble writing prompt can become an instruction-writing activity. Simply look at the image or story and ask: what might somebody need to know how to do in this situation?
Before exploring some prompts that work particularly well, let’s look at how to teach instruction writing effectively.
Instructions explain clearly how to complete a task, make something or achieve a particular result.
Successful instructions guide the reader through the process in a logical order. They include enough detail to prevent confusion, but avoid unnecessary information that could distract the reader.
Instruction writing gives children a meaningful opportunity to think about purpose and audience. They are not simply describing what happens; they are helping another person complete a task successfully.
When teaching your class how to write instructions, look for opportunities to introduce and practise these key features:
The features children need will depend on the type of instructions they are writing. A recipe might require exact quantities, while instructions for caring for a dragon might need warnings and safety advice.
Start with something the children already know how to do, such as making a sandwich, cleaning their teeth, drawing a simple picture or playing a playground game.
Ask them to explain the process aloud before they write anything. This helps children recognise that instructions must follow a logical sequence.
You could follow their instructions exactly, taking every word literally. If they tell you to “put the butter on the bread” without explaining how, place the unopened butter packet on top. It is a fun way to demonstrate why precision matters.
Look at recipes, craft instructions, game rules, manuals and directions together.
Ask:
Comparing effective and ineffective examples can be particularly valuable. Children often notice missing steps and unclear language more easily when evaluating somebody else’s writing.
Imperative verbs tell the reader what action to take. Build a shared collection of useful verbs before children begin writing.
For example:
Making: add, mix, pour, fold, attach, measure
Moving: turn, lift, push, carry, place, release
Caring: feed, check, clean, protect, provide, observe
Surviving: collect, build, avoid, signal, conserve, remain
Challenge children to choose the most precise verb for each step. Place or position, for example, may communicate more clearly than put.
Give groups a set of muddled instructions and ask them to arrange the steps in the correct order.
Encourage them to look for clues in the language and consider what must happen before the next action is possible.
Once the order is correct, ask whether sequencing words are needed. Children can sometimes overuse then, so introduce alternatives and discuss when numbered steps might make the sequence clear without one at the beginning of every sentence.
Before writing a full set of instructions, model how to plan them.
Work together to identify:
A flow chart, storyboard or series of pictures can help children organise the process before turning it into sentences.
Use the class plan to model a set of instructions together.
Talk through your decisions as you write. Deliberately make occasional mistakes, such as missing a stage, choosing a vague verb or putting two steps in the wrong order. Ask the class to spot and correct them.
This makes the thinking behind successful instruction writing visible.
Instructions have a real purpose, so give children an opportunity to test whether theirs work.
Partners can read and follow each other’s instructions, identifying:
Children can then edit their work in response to this feedback. This gives proofreading a clear and meaningful purpose.
Almost any Pobble image or story starter can be used to inspire instructions. The instructions do not need to be included in the original activities.
Study the image with your class and ask:
A mysterious doorway could inspire instructions for entering another world safely. An unusual vehicle could become a guide to operating it. A fantasy creature might need a care manual. Even an ordinary setting can prompt instructions for completing a challenge or solving a problem.
This approach allows you to choose an image that reflects your class’s interests while still teaching the features of instruction writing.
Here are five Pobble prompts that work particularly well.
A mysterious game provides an engaging reason for children to think about rules, order and clarity.
Can your class write instructions explaining how to play the Game of Destiny?
Encourage them to include:
This prompt is perfect for exploring the difference between instructions and rules. Children could test their finished games with another group to see whether the instructions are clear enough to follow.
Explore the Game of Destiny prompt and activities.
Deep within an enchanted forest stands a mystical potion shop filled with bubbling bottles, sparkling jars and colourful liquids. Each potion is powerful, but what ingredients does it contain and what will it do?
Can your class write instructions explaining how to make a magical potion?
This activity provides plenty of opportunities to practise:
Children could also give their potion a name, explain its purpose and design a label to accompany their instructions.
Explore the Powerful Potions prompt and activities.
Samira cannot believe her eyes when she discovers a baby dragon in her grandfather’s house. It is smaller than her hand, with shimmering scales and eyes filled with wonder. She promises to keep it safe and learn how to care for it.
Can your class write instructions explaining how to look after a baby dragon?
Ask them to consider:
This prompt is ideal for writing a care guide with headings, practical advice and important warnings.
Explore The Little Dragon prompt and activities.
Alone at sea with a storm approaching, the character must work out how to survive the night and find a way home.
Can your class write a set of instructions explaining how to survive at sea?
Children will need to think carefully about priorities. Which action should be completed first? What equipment might be available? How can the person remain safe, find shelter, conserve supplies and signal for help?
This is a useful prompt for teaching chronological order, precise vocabulary and the importance of including warnings.
Explore the Adrift prompt and activities.
A huge metallic robot strides down the road, waiting for its next command. Its legs are as long as trees, its torso is as wide as a house and its enormous fists could cause serious damage if something went wrong.
Can your class write instructions explaining how to control Number 22?
They could include:
The possibility of a malfunction gives children a strong reason to make their instructions precise and unambiguous.
Explore the Number 22 prompt and activities.
Once your class understands the basic structure, try one of these imaginative instruction-writing tasks:
Children could also invent their own scenario using a Pobble image and challenge a partner to write the instructions.
Some children may understand the task but find it difficult to organise all their ideas. You can support them by providing:
For children who need more challenge, ask them to adapt their instructions for a different audience, include troubleshooting advice or explain why particular steps are important.
They could also compare two versions of the same instructions and evaluate which is more effective.
Before children finish, ask them to check:
The best instruction-writing activities give children a genuine reason to communicate clearly. Whether they are explaining how to play a mysterious game, brew a potion or care for a dragon, the challenge remains the same: guide the reader successfully from beginning to end.
With hundreds of inspiring images and ready-made activities available on Pobble, you can turn almost any prompt into a memorable instruction-writing lesson.