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✂️ Origami & Paper Crafts ⏱️ 12 Minutes

Sequence Words in Instructions

Learn how to give clear step-by-step craft directions using First, Then, Next, After that, and Finally.

💡 How to Use This Lesson

👩‍🏫 For the Teacher:

Use this 12-minute lesson to teach step-by-step instructions with paper crafts.

Check answers together with your class after students finish the practice tasks.

🧑‍🎓 For the Learner:

Read the 4 easy rules first to learn how step words work.

Then complete the 12 practice tasks below from easy to hard.

4 Easy Rules for Sequence Words

Follow these simple patterns when writing instructions for any craft!

Step Order

Use First for step 1. Use Then, Next, or After that for middle steps. Use Finally for the last step.

✅ Right

First, put the card on the desk.

❌ Wrong

Then, put the card on the desk. (as step 1)

Commas After Words

Put a comma after First, Next, After that, and Finally. With Then, the comma is optional and often left out.

✅ Right

After that, write your name.
(Or: Then write it.)

❌ Wrong

After that write your name.

Direct Orders (Base Verbs)

Write each step as an order with a base verb. Do not write you, -ing, or -ed.

✅ Right

Next, open the box.

❌ Wrong

Next, you open the box.

One Start, One End

Use First only once at the start. Use Finally only once at the end. Use Then, Next, or After that for all extra steps in between.

✅ Right

Finally, put the pencil back.

❌ Wrong

Finally, open the box. Finally, put the pencil back.

✏️ Practice Exercises (12 Items)

Complete all tasks below. Look at the single clue word in brackets for help!

Part 1: Choose the correct sentence

1. Choose the correct sentence to start making a paper airplane. [order]

____ a. Finally, get a clean sheet of paper. ____ b. First, get a clean sheet of paper. ____ c. After that, get a clean sheet of paper.

2. Choose the correct sentence for step 2 of folding a paper bunny. [verb]

____ a. Next, fold the top edge down. ____ b. Next, you folding the top edge down. ____ c. Next, you fold the top edge down.

3. Choose the sentence with correct punctuation. [comma]

____ a. After that cut the paper stripe in half. ____ b. After that, cut, the paper stripe in half. ____ c. After that, cut the paper stripe in half.

Part 2: Rewrite the sentence

4. Rewrite the two steps into sentences with First and Then. [start]

Steps: Take a piece of paper. Fold it in half.

____ (Type the full text here...)

5. Rewrite this last step using Finally. [finish]

Step: Put your craft on the pile.

____ (Type sentence with Finally...)

6. Rewrite this sentence to make it a direct order (remove 'you'). [verb]

Sentence: Next, you draw a green stripe on the airplane.

____ (Type the corrected sentence...)

Part 3: Fill the gaps

7. Fill in the missing sequence word for step 1 of making a paper bunny. [start]

____ (Word...) , cut a rectangle from the white paper.

8. Fill in the sequence word for the very last step. [finish]

____ (Word...) , add the paper craft to your finished pile.

9. Fill in a suitable middle step word. [order]

First, fold the edge. ____ (Word...) , press the paper flat.

Part 4: Correct the error in the short message

10. Read the message to a friend: [verb]

"First, take a paper stripe. After that, folding the top edge."

Correct the mistake in the second sentence:

____ (Type correct sentence...)

11. Read the message to a friend: [comma]

"First, cut a paper rectangle. Next fold each corner."

Correct the missing comma in the second sentence:

____ (Type correct sentence...)

12. Read the message to a friend: [order]

"First, fold the paper. Then draw a bunny. Finally, paint the stripe. Finally, clean the desk."

Replace the extra "Finally" in the last sentence with Then:

____ (Type correct last sentence...)

Sequence Words in Instructions

Sequence Words in Instructions

💡 How to Use This Lesson

4 Easy Rules for Sequence Words

Step Order

Commas After Words

Direct Orders (Base Verbs)

One Start, One End

✏️ Practice Exercises (12 Items)

Part 1: Choose the correct sentence

Part 2: Rewrite the sentence

Part 3: Fill the gaps

Part 4: Correct the error in the short message

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