Develop Year 2 pupils’ understanding of different sentence structures, focusing on commands, using our Magical Potions KS1 resource pack. This could be used as a Hallowe’en activity or at any point in the academic year when you are focusing on command sentences.
They will read our model text ‘A Wishing Potion’, showing WAGOLL (what a good one looks like). A planning sheet for pupils to support pupils to plan and write their own science fiction story is included.and explore how the instructions are written, including its use of command sentences. They will then go on to write their own instructions for making a potion, using imperative verbs (bossy verbs) to write commands.
The resource could be used as part of a topic day based on Hallowe’en, or over a series of English lessons. It could also be used as a writing project which would be perfect for home learning.
What is a command sentence?
A command is a sentence that gives an instruction and is used in instructional writing. A command sentence begins with an imperative verb (also known as a bossy verb) such as go, mix, put, push, wash or sit.
Commands are often punctuated with a full stop but an exclamation mark can also be used to show strong emotion or urgency.
- Place the mix in the bowl.
- Push the door.
- Sit in your sit.
- Go to your room!
What resources are included in this pack?
- Model text ‘A Wishing Potion’
This is used to inspire writing and can be used as a model for pupils to base their own writing upon.
- My Wish worksheet
Pupils can explore what they might wish for if they used the magical potion.
- Vocabulary cards
Printable vocabulary cards that can be displayed in the classroom to encourage pupils to use a broad vocabulary when writing and give examples of imperative verbs the pupils can use in their own writing.
- Magical Potion Idea cards
Printable cards suggesting possible potions that pupils could write instructions for.
- Magical Potion Ingredient cards
Printable cards showing ingredients that pupils could use in their own potions.
- Themed writing paper
A beautifully designed sheet that pupils could use present their final draft.
- Teacher’s Notes
Guidance on how to use the resource is given, divided into three smaller activities. Additional activities are also suggested.
National Curriculum English programme of study links
- To discuss and clarify the meanings of words, linking new meanings to known vocabulary
- To plan and say out loud what they are going to write about
- To learn how to use sentences with different forms (commands)