Unit Plan 29 (Grade 3 ELA): Procedural Texts – How-To Writing

Focus: Writing sequential directions clearly

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: English Language Arts (Writing, Language)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This week, writers become instruction designers: they plan, draft, and revise how-to (procedural) texts that a real reader can follow the first time. Students learn to introduce a topic clearly, list materials, and write numbered steps using imperative verbs, linking/temporal words (first, next, after, finally), precise measurements, and safety tips. Sentence- and mechanics-focused mini-lessons strengthen grammar and conventions so the final directions read cleanly and correctly. By Friday, each student will publish a formatted how-to piece and verify its clarity through a quick peer “test.”

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to…

1. Plan and write an informative how-to that introduces the task, lists materials, and presents logical, numbered steps with accurate details.
2. Use linking/temporal words and precise language (measurements, time words, domain vocabulary) so readers can follow the sequence.
3. Apply grammar (complete sentences, consistent tense/voice, commas in a series) and mechanics (capitalization, punctuation, spelling) to polish the final draft.
4. Conclude with a brief result/tips section that wraps up the task.

Standards Alignment — CCSS Grade 3

• Writing: W.3.2a–d (introduce topic; group related information; use linking words; provide a concluding statement/section)
• Language: L.3.1 (demonstrate command of grammar and usage—sentence structure, tense, subject–verb agreement, prepositions, pronouns as appropriate)
• Language: L.3.2 (capitalization, punctuation—including commas in a series/after transition words—and spelling)

Success Criteria — student language

• My title and goal tell exactly what I’m teaching.
• My materials list is complete and specific (sizes/amounts if needed).
• Each numbered step has one main action, clear temporal/linking words, and any measurements/safety notes.
• My grammar and mechanics are correct; my ending tells the result or a quick tip.