Year 1 — Writing

Writing for a purpose

Write different kinds of writing for different jobs — a label, a list, a description, a story, instructions, or even a poem.

Back to Year 1

💡Understand

We don't write the same way for every job. A LABEL just names something (like 'my bag'). A LIST has lots of separate items. A STORY tells us what happened. INSTRUCTIONS tell us the steps to do something, in order.

“1. Put on your coat. 2. Zip it up. 3. Put on your shoes.”

This is a set of INSTRUCTIONS — it tells us exactly what to do, one step at a time, in the right order, so someone else could follow it.

🔍Spot it

What kind of writing is this?

Question 1

Apples, bread, milk, eggs

💡 This is a list of separate items, one after another.

Question 2

Once there was a little rabbit who lived in a burrow.

💡 This tells us about a character and starts telling us what happened — that's a story.

Question 3

1. Mix the flour and eggs. 2. Stir well. 3. Pour into the tin.

💡 This gives steps in order to help someone do something — that's instructions.

🧠Think about it

Why would instructions be confusing if the steps were in the wrong order?

✍️Try it

What kind of writing is this?

My teddy has soft, fluffy fur and one button eye.

Question 1

What kind of writing is this?

💡 This tells us what the teddy looks like — that's describing.

📝Practise

Choose the correct type of writing for each example.

Question 1

Pens, pencils, rubber, ruler

Question 2

"My cat" (written on a food bowl)

Question 3

The little fox crept through the dark forest, looking for its den.

Question 4

What kind of writing gives steps in order, like a recipe? (one word)

💡 It's covered directly in the Understand section.

Question 5

The sky was bright blue and the grass was soft and green.

Question 6

1. Wash your hands. 2. Dry them. 3. Sit at the table.

🎯Apply

Read the passage, then answer the questions below.

How to make a sandwich: 1. Get two slices of bread. 2. Add cheese. 3. Put the slices together.

Question 1

What kind of writing is this?

💡 It gives numbered steps in order.

Question 2

What is step 2?

Question 3

How many steps are there? (number)

💡 Count each numbered step.

🏆Challenge

Can you write three simple instructions for how to brush your teeth?

🔄Review

A quick mastery check — 3 questions.

Question 1

Shoes, socks, hat, gloves

Question 2

Why must instructions be in the right order?

Question 3

The old castle stood tall on the misty hill.