Subject:

English A

Type of Lesson:

Integrated

Grade:

10

CSEC OBJ:

Identify passages whose main purpose

is informative

Term:

Christmas

UNIT:

Giving Instructions

Duration:

80 minutes

Lesson: 1

Writing instructions for recipes

Week: 10

Objectives
As a result of this lesson, you will be able to:
1) Describe the basic characteristics of written instructions
2) Use these characteristics to write instructions for recipes
Prerequisite Student Knowledge
You should be familiar with:
1) Responding daily to and giving instructions in many situations in and out of school.
Important Points
Important points in this lesson:
Instructions, in speech or writing, adhere to a particular:
1) Sentence pattern
2) Format
Key Terms
The imperative sentence
(grammar)

Score ham

Stud ham

Challenge Areas
Writing or discussing recipes is not only done in your Home Economics class. There are some
basic things you will learn about following instructions that you will see in all your areas of
study.
Consistency in using imperative sentences

Equipment/Material Needed:
Samples of recipes
Note to Student
None

Introduction
1) Introductory Activity Questions about rules and instructions
a. What is your favourite computer game or sport?
b. What do you like about it? Is it difficult?
c. What happens when you break certain rules?
d. What causes someone to lose the game?
e. How do the rules help you win the game?
f. Would you say that day to day living is like a game - a matter of following rules or
instructions?
g. What about schoolwhat are some of the rules or instructions?
2) Imperative Sentences
a. In this unit, which is about giving instructions, you will be using imperative
sentences.
b. Think up, as fast as you can, a list of commands that the teacher gives to the class
each day. You could begin with, Stand, class. Get out your literature texts.
Each of those commands is a sentence, even if it is only one word, Stand.
c. How is the structure of those sentences different from the sentences you write in
composition?
i. Where, for example, is the verb in those sentences?
ii. Are they different in any other way, from the sentences you usually write?
These are called imperative or command sentences.
Do you consider them suitable for giving commands? Why?

Body of Lesson
1) Following Instructions
a. Todays lesson is about following instructionscooking instructions. What you
would tell someone who wished to know how to prepare meals in Figure 1.1 and
Figure 1.2?

Figure 1.1
Ackee and Saltfish

Figure 1.2
Rice and peas and chicken

b. Have ever watched the Grace Kitchen or Vibes Cuisine features on television? No
doubt, there is a dish or a drink you like to prepare or even cook, so you will begin
with instructions for recipes.

2) Instructions for Recipes

a. Read the following recipe in Box 1.1.
b. Observe and list ways in which a written recipe differs from a written composition
c. Compile a list from your observations

Box 1.1 Recipe for Chicken Ham

INGREDIENTS
June plum Ginger Glaze

Chicken Ham
1
Best Dressed
Chicken Ham
24 Whole Cloves
6
Pineapple Slices
12 Red Cherries

METHOD
Thaw chicken ham in
bottom of refrigerator
overnight.
Bake in oven at 250
degrees F or 120 degrees
C for 30 minutes per kg.
Remove from netting
Score ham and stud with
cloves
Brush with glaze and
decorate
Return ham to oven for 10
minutes
Slice and serve

2 June plums, peeled and

chopped
1 cup water
2 tbsps. ginger, chopped
1/2 cup dark sugar
METHOD
Place June Plum water and
ginger in a blender.
Blend well and strain
Pour into a saucepan and
place over medium heat.
Add sugar and stir
occasionally until thickened
Glaze chicken ham

Adapted from:
The Jamaica Observer Christmas Cookbook 2008, p.13

d. Compare your list with those in the Box 1.2. Note carefully the other
characteristics of instructions listed in the table.

Box 1.2 Features of Instructions on how to do a particular

activity
Structure
1. Recipes include two types of instructions , (a)
ingredients, (b)method
2. The goal is clearly stated, often in the heading
3. Materials are listed in order of use
4. Method or steps set are out in chronological order and
are numbered.
Language Pattern
1. The command or imperative form of language is used.
2. Each step is a command and begins with the action verb
which gives the command (e.g. thaw, bake, remove,
brush)
3. Instruction gives detailed information on exactly how a
step should be done e.g. Thawin bottom of
refrigerator overnight; blend well; stir occasionally until
thickened.

3) Developing recipes
a. Think of a dish or drink you like to prepare. Write a recipe for that dish or drink.
b. Exchange finished work with a peer and engage in revision using features of
instruction (above). Are things written in the correct order?
4) Pair Work - Converting prose text to instruction format
a. Rewrite the text in Box 1.3 as a set of instructions, using the language and format
for recipes.

Box 1.3 Reading and Following Instructions

This is how to cook this product in a microwave.
You need to take off the paper sleeve that the product
was bought in. Then you need to make some holes in
the plastic lid so that the steam can escape. You should
then put the product in the microwave and cook it on full
power for three minutes.
The product will need to be left to stand for two minutes
before you cook it anymore. After you have left it to
stand you should stir the product to make sure it cooks
right through. Then you should cook the product for
another three minutes.
Reading and Following Instructions
http://BBC-Skillswise.com

Closure
In-Class Assignment
1) Exchange your finished draft with a peer and check to see that you have both observed
the guidelines for writing recipes.

Out of class Assignment

1) Rewrite your recipe attractively for presentation at your next class. Feel free to make
drawings, illustrations or photographs.
2) Make a collection of instructions of various types found in the home. Read and note
similarities and differences from instructions for recipes. Bring the collection of samples to
the next class
3) Start a portfolio of all written work done in this unit.

Supplemental
Glossary of Terms
The imperative
sentence

A sentence which gives a command

Score ham

Using a knife to cut lines into the ham, usually

diagonally

Stud ham

To decorate ham (as with the cloves, which are

placed at points where the lines meet)

CSEC Questions
None
Recommended Materials
Instruction manuals, labels
Bibliography
The Jamaica Observer (2008) Christmas Cookbook, p. 13
Reading and Following Instructions; Grammar Instruction Worksheet 1, Jan 22.
http://BBC-Skillswise.com
Figure 1.1 Ackee and saltfish
http://www.jamaicamax.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/10-19-8.jpg
Figure 1.2 Rice and peas and chicken
http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/wine/images/jerk-chicken-300.jpg