English as a Second Language

Level A 2

10. Doing Dishes

Introduction

Doing dishes is an important household task that helps keep the kitchen clean and teaches responsibility. Families often wash, dry, and put away dishes together, turning this simple chore into a fun, team-building activity.

Mini-Lesson: Verbs – Doing Dishes

Objective: Students will understand action verbs related to doing dishes and practice speaking.

Teacher Script:

Teacher:
“Today we will learn verbs for doing dishes. Verbs are action words. They tell us what we are doing. For example: wash, scrub, dry, put away. Watch me!”

Step 1 – Modeling:
  • “I wash the plate.”
  • “I scrub the pan.”
  • “I dry the dishes.”

Teacher:
“What action is happening in these sentences?”
Students:
“Wash!” / “Scrub!” / “Dry!”

Step 2 – Guided Practice:

Show pictures of dishes, sink, dish rack.

Ask: “What is she doing?”

Students answer using a verb: “She is washing the dishes.”

Step 3 – Independent Practice:

Students create 3 sentences using new verbs:

  • I scrub the sink.
  • I put away the forks.
  • I rinse the glasses.
Step 4 – Wrap-Up:

“Remember: verbs are action words. They tell us what we are doing. Today we learned 20 verbs for cleaning dishes. Use these verbs to talk about your chores at home!”

Doing Dishes

Doing dishes is an important part of keeping the kitchen clean. Families often work together to wash, rinse, dry, and put away dishes. When everyone helps, dishwashing becomes a team activity that teaches responsibility, cooperation, and daily life skills.

Doing dishes also helps students practice simple English used in real life. Words like wash, rinse, dry, and clean are actions students see and use every day.

Why Doing Dishes Is Important

Family and Teamwork
Families can share jobs. One person washes, one rinses, and one dries. Working together makes the job easier and more fun.

Responsibility


When children help with dishes, they learn to take care of shared spaces. This builds good habits at home and in school.

Life Skills


Doing dishes teaches cleanliness and hygiene. It also prepares students for other kitchen tasks like cooking and setting the table.

 

My Personal Experience (Teacher Story – A1 Adapted)

I started working in my parents’ restaurant as a dishwasher. Later, I became a waiter and sometimes a cook. This job helped me learn many important skills.

From 1965 to 1974, I worked in our family restaurants. Our customers felt like family. In Utica, Michigan, many truck drivers, factory workers, and construction workers ate at our restaurant. I learned how to respect people from many backgrounds.

In 1972, my family moved to Frederic, Michigan. I helped build a new restaurant in Waters, Michigan, and we opened it in June 1973. It was a family diner for tourists visiting northern Michigan.

My mother made soups, pies, cakes, and cinnamon rolls. We also had special meals every day. Working in the restaurant taught me how to work with others and how to make people feel welcome.

Cultural Perspectives on Doing Dishes (A1)

United States
Many children help with dishes as part of daily chores. This teaches responsibility and teamwork.

Japan
Doing dishes can be calm and quiet. People focus on the task and think about the meal they ate.

Italy
Families often wash dishes together while talking and laughing. It is a social family time.

India
Children often help from a young age. Dishwashing is a shared family responsibility.

Conclusion

Doing dishes is more than cleaning plates. It helps families work together, learn responsibility, and build life skills. Around the world, families use dishwashing time to teach values, cooperation, and care for others.

Reflection Questions (Students)

What do you do after dinner? What do you use to wash dishes?

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Reflection Questions (Teachers)

Did students show interest and enjoyment in the unit?

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Content and Activities

Vocabulary

Direction: Copy and answer the vocabulary words below
A Family at the Sink 

After dinner, plates are high, 
The table’s clear, the lights are nigh. 
Mom brings soap, Dad brings cheer, 
“It’s dish time now!” we all draw near. 

Water runs, the sponge goes round, 
Plates and cups make splashing sound. 
I wash slow, my sister dries, 
We laugh together, time flies by. 

Grandma hums a gentle tune, 
Forks and spoons will be clean soon. 
Hands work side by side and true, 
Each small job we help to do. 

When the sink is empty, bright, 
The kitchen feels calm and right. 
Doing dishes, hand in hand, 
Family love—clean, simple, grand. 

 

Optional Classroom Use 
  • Reading aloud (choral reading) 
  • Underline verbs: wash, dry, help, hum 
  • Discussion: “Who does dishes in your home?” 
  • Writing extension: Change one family member 
Practice Study Guide – Doing Dishes (A1.17) 

Instructions for Students: 
Read each question. Say or write one answer. Look at the example answers to help you. 

  1. What do you do after dinner?

Example Answer 1: I wash the dishes after dinner. 
Example Answer 2: I help my family clean the kitchen. 

  1. What do you use to wash dishes?

Example Answer 1: I use soap and water. 
Example Answer 2: I use a sponge and soap. 

  1. Where do you wash the dishes?

Example Answer 1: I wash the dishes in the sink. 
Example Answer 2: I wash the dishes in the kitchen. 

  1. Who helps you do the dishes at home?

Example Answer 1: My mom helps me. 
Example Answer 2: My family helps together. 

  1. What do you do first when doing dishes?

Example Answer 1: I rinse the dishes first. 
Example Answer 2: I put soap on the sponge first. 

  1. What do you do after washing the dishes?

Example Answer 1: I dry the dishes with a towel. 
Example Answer 2: I put the dishes in the dish rack. 

  1. Why is doing dishes important?

Example Answer 1: It keeps the kitchen clean. 
Example Answer 2: It helps my family. 

  1. What tool do you use to dry dishes?

Example Answer 1: I use a towel. 
Example Answer 2: I use a clean cloth. 

  1. How do families do dishes together?

Example Answer 1: One washes and one dries. 
Example Answer 2: We take turns. 

  1. How do you feel when the kitchen is clean?
Vocabulary for Doing Dishes 

Here are 20 words/phrases commonly used when talking about doing dishes. 

Vocabulary for Doing Dishes (A1 Level) 

Each word is presented clearly for ESL learners. The key word is bolded. 

  1. Wash

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To clean dishes with water and soap. 
Example Sentence: I wash the plates after dinner. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Rinse

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To remove soap or food using clean water. 
Example Sentence: I rinse the glasses after washing them. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Dry

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To remove water from dishes after washing. 
Example Sentence: I dry the cups with a towel. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Scrub

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To clean by rubbing hard. 
Example Sentence: I scrub the pots to remove food. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Soak

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To leave dishes in water to loosen dirt. 
Example Sentence: I soak the pans before washing. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Stack

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To place dishes neatly on top of each other. 
Example Sentence: I stack the plates on the counter. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Put away

Part of Speech: Verb Phrase 
Meaning: To place clean dishes in their proper place. 
Example Sentence: I put away the forks in the drawer. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Dishwasher

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A machine that washes dishes. 
Example Sentence: I load the dishwasher after dinner. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Sponge

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A soft tool used to wash dishes. 
Example Sentence: I use a sponge to clean pans. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Soap

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A cleaning product used with water. 
Example Sentence: I put soap on the sponge. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Towel

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A cloth used to dry dishes. 
Example Sentence: I dry plates with a towel. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Drain

Part of Speech: Verb / Noun 
Meaning: To remove water from washed dishes. 
Example Sentence: I let the water drain from the rack. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Clean

Part of Speech: Verb 
Meaning: To make something free from dirt. 
Example Sentence: I clean the cutting board. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Rag

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A cloth used to wipe surfaces. 
Example Sentence: I wipe the counter with a rag. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Dish rack

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A stand for drying dishes. 
Example Sentence: Plates sit in the dish rack. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Foam

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: Soap bubbles used in cleaning. 
Example Sentence: The foam cleans the pans. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Scraper

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A tool used to remove stuck food. 
Example Sentence: I use a scraper on the pan. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Gloves

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: Hand coverings used for protection. 
Example Sentence: I wear gloves to wash dishes. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Counter

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: A flat kitchen surface. 
Example Sentence: I place dishes on the counter. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

  1. Rinse water

Part of Speech: Noun 
Meaning: Water used to remove soap from dishes. 
Example Sentence: I pour rinse water on the plates. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

**High-Frequency Vocabulary Integration 

(From the Most Commonly Used English Words List)** 

 

  1. than

Part of Speech: Conjunction 
Definition: Used to compare two things. 
Simple Sentence: She is taller than her brother. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Compound Sentence: I would rather wash dishes than leave them dirty. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Complex Sentence: If you work harder than before, you will improve. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. call

Part of Speech: Verb / Noun 
Definition: To speak to someone on the phone or shout to someone. 
Simple Sentence: I will call my mom after dinner. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Compound Sentence: I need to call my friend, and I need to wash dishes. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. first

Part of Speech: Adjective / Adverb 
Definition: Coming before others. 
Simple Sentence: I wash the plates first. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Compound Sentence: I clean the table first, and then I dry dishes. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. people

Part of Speech: Noun 
Definition: Human beings. 
Simple Sentence: Many people help at home. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. may

Part of Speech: Modal Verb 
Definition: Used for permission or possibility. 
Simple Sentence: You may help wash dishes. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Compound Sentence: I may wash dishes, or I may dry them. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. down

Part of Speech: Adverb / Preposition 
Definition: Toward a lower place. 
Simple Sentence: Water runs down the sink. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. side

Part of Speech: Noun 
Definition: The left or right part of something. 
Simple Sentence: Put the cup on the side of the sink. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. been

Part of Speech: Verb (past participle of be) 
Definition: Used to talk about the past. 
Simple Sentence: I have been very busy today. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. now

Part of Speech: Adverb 
Definition: At the present time. 
Simple Sentence: I am washing dishes now. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

 

  1. find

Part of Speech: Verb 
Definition: To locate something. 
Simple Sentence: I find the sponge in the sink. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Compound Sentence: I find the soap, and I start washing dishes. 
SCS: ……………………………………………………….. 
SMS: ……………………………………………………….. 

Unit Exam

ESL Level A2 Unit 10

Doing Dishes

1 / 5

I take out the __________ after dinner. 

2 / 5

Where do clean dishes dry? 

3 / 5

I ______ the plates with soap and water.

4 / 5

Doing dishes helps keep the kitchen clean. 

5 / 5

What tool do you use to wash dishes?

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