Learn German: Der Chef schickt die Notiz, damit wir die Anweisung lesen. - The boss sends the note so that we read the instruction.

The word damit means 'so that' and is a subordinating conjunction. This type of word introduces a dependent clause and always kicks the conjugated verb (in this case, lesen) to the very end of that clause.

Could I use the phrase um ... zu instead of damit to say 'in order to' here?

No, because the subjects of the two actions are different. The subject of the first part is der Chef (he is sending), but the subject of the second part is wir (we are reading). You can only use um ... zu when the subject is the exact same in both parts. Because they are different here, you must use damit.

Are die Notiz and die Anweisung in the nominative or accusative case?

They are both in the accusative case because they are the direct objects being acted upon (the note is being sent, the instruction is being read). Because both nouns are feminine, their article die looks exactly the same in both the nominative and accusative cases.

What is the difference in meaning between die Notiz and die Anweisung?

die Notiz refers to a short note or memo, which is the physical or digital message being sent. die Anweisung translates to an instruction or directive. The boss sends the memo so that the team will read the specific orders contained inside it.