Simple Commands at Home and School – Basic 2 English Lesson Note (First Term)

Learning Objectives: By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Explain the meaning of command
2. Demonstrate how to command
3. Identify words and punctuation marks used for commands

Detailed lesson content

What is a command?

Definition: A command is when we tell someone to do something. Commands are instructions that we give to others.

Key Features of Commands:

1. They tell someone what to do
2. They usually start with an action word (verb)
3. They end with an exclamation mark (!)
4. They are usually short sentences
5. The voice goes down at the end when speaking

Command words (verbs)

Basic Command Words:

1. sit – put your body on a chair or floor
2. come – move toward the speaker
3. go – move away or to another place
4. stop – don’t continue what you’re doing
5. wait – stay where you are for a moment
6. listen – use your ears to hear
7. look – use your eyes to see
8. take – pick up with your hands
9. give – hand something to someone
10. put – place something somewhere
11. open – make something not closed
12. close – make something not open
13. clean – make something neat and tidy
14. wash – clean with water

COMMANDS AT SCHOOL

Classroom Commands:

1. Sit down! – Put yourself on your chair
2. Stand up! – Get up from your seat
3. Open your book! – Make your book not closed
4. Close your book! – Make your book not open
5. Listen carefully! – Use your ears well
6. Look at the board! – Use your eyes to see the blackboard
7. Write your name! – Put your name on paper with a pen
8. Raise your hand! – Put your hand up in the air
9. Put away your toys! – Place toys where they belong
10. Line up quietly! – Stand in a straight line without talking
11. Come to the front! – Walk to the area near the teacher
12. Go to your seat! – Walk back to where you sit
13. Clean your desk! – Make your table neat and tidy
14. Stop talking! – Don’t use your voice
15. Pay attention! – Look and listen to the teacher

Teacher to Student Commands:

• “Read the story!”
• “Answer the question!”
• “Copy from the board!”
• “Share with your partner!”
• “Wait for your turn!”

Commands at home

Kitchen Commands:

1. Wash your hands! – Clean your hands with soap and water
2. Set the table! – Put plates and spoons on the dining table
3. Clear the dishes! – Take plates away after eating
4. Drink your milk! – Use your mouth to take in milk
5. Eat your vegetables! – Put healthy food in your mouth

Bedroom Commands:

1. Make your bed! – Arrange your bed covers neatly
2. Brush your teeth! – Clean your teeth with a toothbrush
3. Put on your clothes! – Wear your shirt, pants, etc.
4. Hang up your coat! – Put your jacket on a hook
5. Turn off the light! – Make the room dark

General Home Commands:

1. Clean your room! – Make your bedroom neat
2. Take out the trash! – Carry garbage outside
3. Feed the pet! – Give food to your dog or cat
4. Water the plants! – Give water to flowers and trees
5. Close the door! – Make the door not open
6. Lock the gate! – Make sure the entrance is secure
7. Sweep the floor! – Clean the ground with a broom
8. Wipe the table! – Clean the surface with a cloth

Punctuation: the exclamation mark (!)

What is an Exclamation Mark?

• It looks like this: !
• It shows strong feeling or command
• Commands always end with !
• It makes the sentence sound stronger

Examples:

• Sit down! (command)
• I’m so happy! (strong feeling)
• Help me! (urgent request)
• Look out! (warning)

Practice Writing:

1. Stop → Stop!
2. Come here → Come here!
3. Be quiet → Be quiet!
4. Hurry up → Hurry up!
5. Well done → Well done!

Polite commands

Adding “Please”: Commands sound nicer when we say “please”

1. Please sit down!
2. Please listen carefully!
3. Please close the door!
4. Please wait here!
5. Please help me!

Adding “Thank you”: After someone follows a command, say “thank you”

• Command: “Please pass the salt!”
• Response: Do the action
• Follow-up: “Thank you!”

Demonstrating commands

Physical Actions: Students practice giving and following commands:

Partner Activity:

• Student A: “Stand up!” (Student B stands)
• Student B: “Sit down!” (Student A sits)
• Student A: “Touch your nose!” (Student B touches nose)
• Student B: “Clap your hands!” (Student A claps)

Simon Says Game:

• “Simon says touch your head!” (do it)
• “Simon says jump up and down!” (do it)
• “Spin around!” (don’t do it – no “Simon says”)

Command practice activities

Activity 1: Command Chain Students sit in circle, each gives one command:

• “Walk to the door!”
• “Open the door!”
• “Close the door!”
• “Come back here!”

Activity 2: Home vs School Commands Sort commands into categories:

• School: “Raise your hand!”, “Open your book!”
• Home: “Brush your teeth!”, “Clean your room!”

Activity 3: Add the Exclamation Mark Write the missing punctuation:

• Sit down__
• Come here__
• Stop running__
• Listen to me__
• Be careful__

Answers: Sit down! Come here! Stop running! Listen to me! Be careful!