Procedural Writing

This week begins our work in procedural writing, writing about "how to" do something. On Monday Tracy had the children write directions for how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. On Tuesday, I read some of the papers as Tracy followed the directions - EXACTLY!
The kids protested loudly, but they had to admit that she was doing exactly what the papers said. When she started spreading the peanut butter and jelly on the bread without taking it out of the wrapper, they really had a fit, but she made her point about how the lack of details can make a big difference. After the demonstration she asked the students to write directions for making peanut butter and jelly again with the details. What a difference!