Y05W32WR A Guide to a Typical School Day

Part 1

How to Write

Informative – Guide

An informative guide teaches a reader how to carry out a process or complete a task. It is written for someone who needs clear, practical steps they can follow and act on immediately. The tone is confident, direct and accessible — written by someone who knows the process well.

  • Ideas & content: Cover the key steps and decisions. Include enough detail at each point so the reader is never left guessing, but stay focused on what is genuinely useful.
  • Structure & cohesion: Organise content into a clear sequence — a brief introduction, the main steps in a sensible order, then a closing statement. Use sequence words such as first, next and finally to link sections.
  • Voice & audience: Write as a confident, helpful guide. Keep the reader’s needs in mind throughout and avoid sounding preachy or vague.
  • Language choices: Use precise vocabulary and write mainly in the present tense. Address the reader directly with you and vary sentence length for readability.
  • Conventions: Spell key terms accurately. Use commas in lists and full stops to close each idea clearly.

Common pitfalls: Covering too many points without enough depth — focus on what matters most and explain it well. Writing vague instructions rather than specifying exactly what something looks like in practice.

Part 2

Your Task Plan for Today

The brief

Question: Write a guide for the new student explaining how a typical school day is structured at your school. Include what happens at different times of the day and any important things they should know before they arrive. Write in a way that would make them feel informed and welcome.

Stimulus: A student who has just moved from overseas is starting at an Australian primary school next week. They have never attended school in Australia before and have no idea what to expect. Their parent has emailed your teacher asking if any students would be willing to write a short guide explaining what a typical school day looks like.

Task Analysis: Write a guide that helps a new student understand what happens at your school. Describe a typical day from morning to afternoon. Be honest about what is different. Help them feel ready.

Quick Plan

Before you write, plan:

  • Morning — arrival, roll call, what happens first?
  • Mid-morning — what lessons? What is the rhythm?
  • Lunch and play — how long? Where do students go?
  • Afternoon — more lessons? Anything special? Home time?

Opening strategy

Start with arrival: ‘The day starts at 8:45 am when you arrive at school.’ Guide them through it like you are walking them through in person.

Key details to include

Be specific about times and what happens. Not: ‘We have lessons.’ Better: ‘At 9:00 am we have reading, then maths at 10:00.’ Real times and subjects help.

Tone & voice

Write warmly and helpfully. You remember being new. Tell them: ‘Do not be nervous. It is not so different from your old school.’ Be a friendly guide.