The Trinity Instructions Machine

The aim of this activity is to give students practice in following spoken instructions. Before
experimenting with the "Instructions Machine" in class, make your own copy and practise giving
some basic instructions.
Prepare some cards with instructions on them, e.g. walk to the window, touch the desk, etc.

LEVEL
CEFR level Pre-A1 and above –
GESE 1, 2

EXAM TASK FOCUS

▪ To show understanding of
spoken instructions through
appropriate actions
▪ To practise asking and
answering simple
questions
▪ To practise the languageof
grade 1

RESOURCES
▪ How to make an instructions
machine HO1
▪ “Instructions Machine”
template HO2
▪ Crayons or felt-tip pens
▪ Scissors

WARMER: SIMON SAYS

Review the basic parts of the body with the game Simon says.
Simon Says is a great game for getting your students to listen carefully before they respond.Here are the
rules of the game:
1. Get your students to stand facing you.
2. Tell them that they should copy your orders only if you first say the words “Simon Says”.
3. Tell them that they are out of the game if they follow an order that doesn't beginwith
"Simon says," or if they fail to do what Simon says they should do.
4. Begin by saying something like "Simon says, touch your nose.”
5. Then check to see if everyone is touching their nose.
6. Give another order such as, "Simon says, stand on one foot." Check again.
7. Continue giving orders. Mix it up and say something like "Sit down!," without saying "Simon
says" first.
8. If someone sits down, then they are out of the game.
9. Play until one person is left. That is the winner.
10. Let that person give the commands for the next round.
PROCEDURE
1. Show the class the “Instructions Machine” you have made and show them how it works by inviting
a student to be your partner. Tell your students they are going to make one themselves. They will
need to clear their desks and have crayons ready.
2. Give each student a copy of the “Instructions Machine” template. Tell them how to make the
“Instructions Machine”, step by step, using the instructions provided in the “How to make an
“Instructions Machine” handout, demonstrating as you go. Do not goon to the next stage until
everybody has finished the previous one!
3. At stage 3, use the words flashcards or words on the board to write the commands on the
“Instructions Machine”.
4. Allow students to play with their “Instructions Machines”. Divide
students into pairs – Student A and Student B. Student A asks
student B to choose a number from 1 to 4.
Student A asks Student B the question with that number (e.g. What’s your name?).Student B
responds (e.g. – My name’s Maria).
Student A opens and closes the “Instructions Machine” for each letter of the answer (5in this
example M-A-R-I-A).
Student A then says to Student B “Choose a colour”. Student B
chooses one of the colours inside the machine.
Student A lifts the flap and reads the instruction under that colour and Student Bcarries
out the command.
5. Students then swap roles and repeat the game.
How to make an Instructions Machine

How to make the “Instructions Machine”

Steps:
1. Write these questions in the squares on the cornersof the
template:
• 1.What’s your name?
• 2.How old are you?
• 3.Where do you live?
• 4.What’s your favourite colour?

2. Find the circles. Colour them red, orange, yellow,green,

blue, purple, black and brown.

3. Now find the triangles. Write an instruction in each

triangle.
Step 1: Fold the paper from
corner to corner to make a
triangle.
Step 2: Fold the triangle again
from corner to cornerto make
a smaller triangle.
Step 3: Unfold everything --
you'll have a square of paper
with an X crease.
Step 4: Fold the corner tothe
centre of the square (where
the X crosses)
Step 5: Repeat with the
other three corners.
Step 6: And you end up witha
smaller square!
Step
7:
Turn
your
paper
over.
Step 8: Fold the corner tothe
centre of the square (where the
X crosses)
Step 9: Repeat with the other
three corners and you'll end
up with an evensmaller
square
Step 10: Fold and unfold the
bottom edge of the square up
to the top
Step 11: Fold and unfold theleft
edge of the square over to the
right.
Step 12: So that the creaseslook
like an Asterix across your small
square
Step 13: Push the four corners
of the square together in the
centre and then slide your
thumbs and fingers into the
flaps of yourinstructions
machine.
Step 14: Now you can
move the instructions
machine with your
fingers like little
puppets.
Instructions Machine Template

yellow red

green orange

blue brown

purple black