Reading Instructions and Directions – English Standard Four

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, a pupil should be able to:

• Explain the meaning of instructions and directions.
• Read simple instructions and directions fluently.
• Identify the steps in a set of instructions.
• Follow written directions to find a place.

1. Meaning of Instructions and Directions

Instructions are statements that tell someone what to do or how to do something. In Kiswahili, instructions means maelekezo ya kufanya jambo.

Directions are statements that show someone how to get from one place to another. In Kiswahili, directions means maelekezo ya kufika sehemu fulani.

2. Reading Text A: How to Wash Your Hands

Read the instructions below carefully.

1. Wet your hands with clean water.
2. Put some soap on your hands.
3. Rub your hands together.
4. Wash between your fingers and under your nails.
5. Rinse your hands with clean water.
6. Dry your hands with a clean towel.

Wash your hands before eating and after using the toilet. Clean hands help to keep germs away.

3. Vocabulary

Word	Meaning in Kiswahili
Instructions	Maelekezo ya kufanya jambo
Directions	Maelekezo ya njia
Properly	Kwa usahihi
Wet	Lowesha
Soap	Sabuni
Rub	Sugua
Fingers	Vidole
Rinse	Suuza
Dry	Kaush(a)
Germs	Vijidudu
Towel	Taulo

4. Reading Text B: Finding the School Library

Read the directions below.

The school library is near the head teacher’s office. Start at the main gate and walk straight to the assembly ground. Turn left and walk past the classrooms. You will see the head teacher’s office on your right. The library is next to the office.

5. Reading Practice

• Read each instruction clearly and pronounce the words correctly.
• Read the steps in the correct order.
• Pause briefly at commas and full stops.
• Notice sequence words such as first, next, then and finally.
• Practise giving simple directions to a friend.

6. Comprehension Questions

Answer the following questions.

1. What should you wet your hands with?
2. What do you put on your hands after wetting them?
3. Which parts of the hands should you wash carefully?
4. What should you use to dry your hands?
5. When should you wash your hands?
6. Where is the school library?
7. Where should you start when going to the library?
8. Which place do you reach after walking from the main gate?
9. In which direction should you turn?
10. What is next to the head teacher’s office?

7. Practice Activities

A. Write True or False

1. We use soap when washing our hands.
2. We should dry our hands with a dirty cloth.
3. The library is next to the head teacher’s office.
4. We turn right after reaching the assembly ground.
5. Clean hands help to keep germs away.

B. Arrange the Instructions in the Correct Order

Write numbers 1–4 to show the correct order.

• _____ Rinse your hands with clean water.
• _____ Put some soap on your hands.
• _____ Dry your hands with a clean towel.
• _____ Wet your hands with clean water.

C. Fill in the Blanks

Use these words: soap, left, towel, germs.

1. Put some __________ on your hands.
2. Turn __________ to reach the classrooms.
3. Dry your hands with a clean __________.
4. Clean hands help to keep __________ away.

8. Answer Guide

Comprehension: 1. Clean water. 2. Soap. 3. Between the fingers and under the nails. 4. A clean towel. 5. Before eating and after using the toilet. 6. Near the head teacher’s office. 7. At the main gate. 8. The assembly ground. 9. Left. 10. The library.

A. True or False: 1. True. 2. False. 3. True. 4. False. 5. True.

B. Correct order: Rinse – 3; Put soap – 2; Dry – 4; Wet – 1.

C. Fill in the blanks: 1. soap. 2. left. 3. towel. 4. germs.

9. Support for Slow Learners

• Let pupils read one instruction at a time.
• Use pictures or real objects such as soap, water and a towel to explain new words.
• Demonstrate the hand-washing steps as pupils repeat them.
• Practise simple directions around the classroom before using longer directions.
• Pair pupils with supportive classmates for repeated reading.

10. Learning Outcome

A pupil should be able to read simple instructions and directions fluently, identify steps in the correct order and follow directions to locate familiar places.