Procedural

What are Procedural texts?

• Procedural texts tell the reader how something is done, or how to do something. There are some things that just can't be done in the home, but procedural texts explain how those tasks are completed in the proper settings. I included an example of this below, From Metal to Music. The other form of procedural text tells the reader how to do something, which can be done by the average person. This can include: cooking, crafts, and other hobbies. Below, I also included an example of this kind of text, Betty Crocker Kids Cook.

Criterion for Quality and Selection:

• The most important quality to look for when selecting a procedural text is its organizational structure. Since they are explaining a process, it's crucial that all of the steps are in order, otherwise the reader could become lost or confused. If the text were explaining a process that could be done by the reader, unorganized steps would result in a flawed final project.  
• The second most important quality to look for in procedural text is the accuracy of the information. In most cases there is more than one way to do something, so we want to make sure the information in text is correct. When students are following a procedure from a text, we want to make sure they get the rest results possible and that requires accurate information. 

Use in the Classroom:

• This genre would be great for introducing how-to writing to younger students. When they are able to see an example of a good procedural/how-to text to build the foundation for their own writing.
• When going on field trips we often learn about how something works, so procedural text could lead into a field trip. 
• If going to a concert read a book about how instruments are made.
• If going to an dairy, learn how ice cream comes from a cow.

TEXT EXAMPLES:

Davis, W. (1997). From metal to music. New York, NY: Children's Press.

• Complex Text Level: 1st - 2nd
• Grade Level Span for Read-Aloud: 
• Kindergarten - 1st 
• Major Themes:
• Procedure
• Musical Instruments
• Worthy Qualities of Writing:
• The text is very well written and goes explicitly through each step of the process from metal to instruments. Also includes realistic illustrations that correlate with the text on the corresponding page.
• The end of the text includes a reference page of the different types of brass instruments. Each instrument has an illustration and a brief description.
• Support Needed:
• Explaining the different places and equipment used throughout the process.
• Examples: mill, mine, grinder, furnace, and molds.

Crocker, B. (2007). Betty Crocker kids cook! Hoboken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc.

• Complex Text Level: 2nd - 3rd
• Grade Level Span for Read-Aloud:
• Not a book I would read aloud to my students.
• Major Themes:
• Cooking
• Nutrition
• Measurement
• Worthy Qualities of Writing:
• There are a number of great text features throughout this text: 
• At the beginning there is a section called "Talk the Talk" which is essentially a glossary defining cooking terms. 
• At the end of the text there is also a metric conversion guide.
• For each recipe there is a realistic illustration of the food so students would have an idea of what their final creation is supposed to look like.
• The "You Are What You Eat" section includes nutrition information along with the MyPyramid, which explains the amounts of each food group a child should eat.
• Use in the Classroom:
• When teaching about nutrition in the classroom, you could send home recipes for the students to make with their parents. 
• Support Needed:
• Learning how to use measuring cups and spoons.
• Adding and subtracting factions.
• Preteaching some of the cooking terms from the beginning of the book. 
• Examples: boil, grate, and knead