The Sentence Writing StrategyFundamentals of Sentence WritingProficiency in Sentence Writing

Michele Goodstein

Certified SIM Professional Developer

mg517@optonline.net

Lynbrook

Sentences and Punctuation

• A woman, without her man, is nothing.

• A woman: without her, man is nothing.

Agenda

• Overview of the day

• Introduction to the Sentence Writing Strategy

• Understanding the STRATEGY

• Teaching Fundamentals in Sentence Writing

• Teaching Proficiency in Sentence Writing

• Scoring

• Expectations

The Sentence Writing Strategyis about

a researched and validated writing strategy that teaches students how to

write complete and complicated sentences.

Learn it

Score it

Teach it

By having teachers

first

By having teachers know

how toBy having teachers understand how to

Background Knowledge

By understanding

Learning Strategies CurriculumScientifically-validated Strategies

Acquisition

Word Identification

Word Mapping

Paraphrasing

Self-Questioning

Visual Imagery

Summarizing

Inferencing

Storage

First-Letter Mnemonic

Paired Associates

LINCS Vocabulary

Expression of Competence

Sentence Writing

Paragraph Writing

Error Monitoring

Theme Writing

Assignment Completion

Test-Taking

Four Types of Sentences

• Simple

• Compound

• Complex

• Compound-complex

We will be learning formulas for each type.

Purpose of the Sentence Writing Strategy

• To teach students basic vocabulary associated with sentence writing.

• To enable students to write a variety of sentences with fluency.

• To give students the prerequisite skills for more advanced writing strategies.

Why teach The Sentence Writing Strategy

Students must express themselves and

demonstrate their knowledge in writing:

– in book reports

– in themes/research papers

– in answers to chapter questions

– in answers on tests

New York State Learning Standards

“The student will write simple/compound/complex sentences, using, correct subject-verb agreement, verb tense, punctuation, and pronouns with clear antecedents.”

English Language ArtsCore Curriculum – Grade 5/6May 2005

Sentences

Incomplete

Choppy

Run-on

Phrasing doesn’t sound natural

Many sentences begin the same way

Variety of sentence types and lengths

Purposeful beginnings

Makes meaning clear

Inviting to the reader

SENTENCE FLUENCY

emerging strong

Sentence Writing ResultsPercentageCompleteSentences

Pretest 70% 18%Regular classroom

products after Generalization

Stage98% 58%

PercentageComplicated

Sentences

Strategy

What is it?

An individual’s approach to a task is called a

StrategyIt includes how a person thinks and

acts when planning, executing and

evaluating performance on a task

and its outcomes

Steps of the Strategy

Require students to:– Use formulas to form the sentences they

write– Decide on the appropriate wording of a

sentence before they write it– Write the sentence using appropriate

capitalization at the beginning and punctuation throughout and at the end

– Check their work

Paragraph #1We enjoyed many different activities on our

vacation to Hawaii last year they were a lot of fun. On the first day we went to a beautiful little beach. Surfed on the high waves and had a picnic on a blanket. The next day we spent a day shopping. We bought tee shirts and sandals and a pair of sunglasses. Finally, we went snorkeling at a reef. We saw all kinds of different colored fish. In sum, my vacation to Hawaii was just super.

Total Sentences Attempts: 8

Complete Sentences: 6 (75%)

Complicated Sentences: 0

Paragraph #2

We enjoyed many different activities on our vacation to Hawaii last year, and they were all lots of fun. On the first day we went to a beautiful little beach where the sand was pink and covered with shells. There we surfed on the high waves, and we had a picnic on a blanket. Because it rained the next day, we spent the day shopping for souvenirs. We bought tee shirts and sandals, but our best find was a pair of musical sunglasses. Finally, we went snorkeling at a reef. We saw all kinds of different fish; they were all colors of the rainbow! In sum, my vacation to Hawaii was just super.

Paragraph #2

We enjoyed many different activities on our vacation to Hawaii last year, and they were all lots of fun. On the first day we went to a beautiful little beach where the sand was pink and covered with shells. There we surfed on the high waves, and we had a picnic on a blanket. Because it rained the next day, we spent the day shopping for souvenirs. We bought tee shirts and sandals, but our best find was a pair of musical sunglasses. Finally, we went snorkeling at a reef. We saw all kinds of different fish; they were all colors of the rainbow! In sum, my vacation to Hawaii was just super.

Total Sentences Attempts: 8

Complete Sentences: 8 (100%)

Complicated Sentences: 6 (75%)

The Sentence Writing Strategyis about

a researched and validated writing strategy that teaches students how to

write complete and complicated sentences.

Learn it

Score it

Teach it

By having teachers

first

By having teachers know

how toBy having teachers understand how to

Background Knowledge

By understanding

LearningThe Sentence Writing Strategy

The PENS Strategy

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the

formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

Strategic Learner

What part of the strategy is the

planning part?

execution part?

evaluation part?

TTYN and

discuss

TTYN and

discuss

The PENS Strategy

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the

formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

plan

execute

evaluate

The PENS Strategy

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the

formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

What are these formulas or patterns that create different type of sentences?

Type #1: Simple Sentence

A sentence that has one independent clause

Independent Clause

A group of words that

1. makes a complete statement

2. has a subject and a verb

Simple Sentence Formulas

SV – The boy ran.SSV – The boy and his sister ran.SVV – The boy ran and jumped.SSVV – The boy and his sister ran and jumped.

Enhancing an SSVV… SSVV – The mischievous little boy and

his six-year-old sister ran across the street and jumped into a giant pile of leaves.

SSVV – Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony were passionate about women’s rights and fought for women’s right to vote.

Let’s see how we can use PENS to write a simple sentence

Let’s see how we can use PENS to write a simple sentence

Now it’s yourturn to write

Simplesentences

4. African Safari

1. Hawaii

3. Cruise

2. Paris

5. Camping

Simple Sentence Formulas

SV The bear knocked over the tent.

SSV John and Lisa went to a luau.

SVV Paul saw a lion and ran back to the jeep.

SSVV Michael and his daughter climbed the Eiffel Tower and took photos from the top.

What was your favorite part of the trip? Write an SV to answer. Then turn your SV into an SSV, SVV, and an SSVV.

Example:

We went scuba diving. (SV)

- My wife and I went scuba diving. (SSV)

- I went scuba diving and saw a shark. (SVV)

- My wife and I went scuba diving and saw a shark. (SSVV)

Putting it all together

Please turn to the worksheet titled

Writing Sentences

Write 4 simple sentences

The PENS Strategy

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the

formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

SV SSVSVV

SSVV

Type #2: Compound Sentence

A compound sentence has two or more

independent clauses.

Examples:– The students finished class, and they went to lunch.

– Kevin did not want to hurt Kathy's feelings, so he

said nothing about her mistake.

– I want to see my sister soon, for she has been in

Switzerland for two years.

Coordinating Conjunction

A word that is used with a comma to join two independent clauses.

, for , but

, and , or

, nor , yet

, so

The FAN BOYS Cheer

FAN BOYS, FAN BOYS

Seven in a row

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So

FAN BOYS, FAN BOYS

Compound words to know

For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So.

Semicolons

Semicolons (;) can also be used to join

the two independent clauses of a

compound sentence.

– Susan loves to swim; her brother likes to dive.

– Jason was highly respected; he was always such

a responsible person.

– The meeting was over; it was already midnight.

Do not turn off or unplug your computer; it will turn off automatically.

Simple Sentence:

The men and women met at the station and went to dinner.

SSVV

Compound Sentence:

The men met at the station, and the women went to dinner.

SVSV

Comparing Compound Sentences to Simple Sentences with Compound Subjects and

Compound Verbs

Comparing Compound Sentences to Simple Sentences with Compound Subjects and

Compound Verbs

Simple Sentence:

The ducks and geese squawked and fluttered their wings.

Compound Sentence:

The ducks squawked, and the geese fluttered their wings.

Let’s see how we can use PENS to write a compound sentence

Let’s see how we can use PENS to write a compound sentence

Now it’s yourturn to writeCompoundsentences

Compound Sentence Formulas

I,cI The bear knocked over the tent, but there was no damage to it at all.

John and Lisa went to a luau, and the rest of us went for a long walk on the beach.

I;I Paul saw a lion; he ran back to the jeep screaming!

Michael and his daughter climbed the Eiffel Tower; they took photos from the top.

Example:

I leaned over the railing of the Eiffel Tower, and my ice-cream cone fell right over.

I leaned over the railing of the Eiffel Tower; my ice-cream cone fell right over.

What was your most embarrassing moment? Write a compound sentence using the formula I,cI. Then write it again using the formula I;I.

Putting it all together

Please return to the worksheet titled

Writing Sentences

Write 2 compound sentences using the I,cI and I;I formulas.

The PENS Strategy

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the

formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

I,cII;I

Type #3: Complex SentenceA complex sentence has one independent clause

and one or more dependent clauses.

Dependent Clause

A dependent clause is a group of words with a subject and verb that cannot stand alone.

I like Sally because she is funny.

Kathy will be late for dinner since the meeting is still in progress.

The game will end when one team scores.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Subordinating conjunctions are words that show the relationship of the dependent clause to the independent clause.

Subordinating Conjunctions

Some words that can be used as subordinating conjunctions are:

after even if since

although even though so that

as if than

as if in order that though

as long as just as unless

as soon as like until

as though once when

because provided whenever

before rather than while

What comes first?

I I or or DD

Sequencing Complex Sentences

Independent Clause First (comma not needed)

– You will be sleeping when I get to Phoenix.– The players went out for a pizza after they

practiced.– We will not know about the damage until the

storm is over.

Sequencing Complex Sentences

Dependent Clause First (comma needed)

– When I get to Phoenix, you will be sleeping.– After the players practiced, they went out for

a pizza.– Until the storm is over, we will not know

about the damage.

Let’s see how we can use PENS to write a complex sentence

Let’s see how we can use PENS to write a complex sentence

Now it’s yourturn to write

Complexsentences

Complex Sentence Formulas

ID The bear knocked over the tent while we were off on a long hike.

John and Lisa decided to go to the luau since they couldn’t get tickets to the sunset cruise.

D,I While we were sleeping, the bear knocked over the tent.

Since they couldn’t get tickets to the sunset cruise, John and Lisa went to the luau.

What two pieces of advice would you give to someone who was going to take this same trip? Answer by writing a complex sentence using the formula ID and another

complex sentence using the formula D,I.

Examples:

S’mores are great for camping although seventeen might be a few too many. (ID)

If you see a skunk, you should NOT try to get close enough to take a picture. (D,I).

Putting it all together

Please return to the worksheet titled

Writing Sentences

Write 2 complex sentences using the ID and D,I formulas.

The PENS Strategy

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the

formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

IDD,I

___ Lisa and Jesse cooked dinner and sat down to watch TV. Answer:

____ Lisa cooked dinner, but Jesse sat down V

and watched TV. Answer

___ Although Lisa was tired, she cooked dinner for Jesse. Answer:

S S V V

SS V V

SS VV

SSVV

D,I

I,cI

Type #4:Compound-Complex Sentence

A compound-complex sentence has

two or more independent clauses and

at least one dependent clause.

Examples:– When you are ready, I will call the store, and we

can talk to Reed.

– Before the trick-or-treaters came, Jill made

candied apples; they were delicious.

Sequencing Compound-Complex Sentences

Dependent Clause First

– After the party was over, Jean had a headache, so Paul cleaned up the house.

– When Jennifer feels sad, she calls Chris; he cheers her up.

Sequencing Compound-Complex Sentences

Dependent Clause Second

– Jean had a headache after the party was over, so Paul cleaned up the house.

– Chad hates to sleep while his parents are awake, for he might miss something.

– Jennifer calls Chris whenever she feels sad; he cheers her up.

– The sky was gray when the volcano erupted; ash was falling everywhere.

Sequencing Compound-Complex Sentences

Dependent Clause Third– Jean had a headache, so Paul cleaned up the house after

the party was over.

– The employer made Jill a good offer, and she accepted as long as he gave her a travel allowance.

– The doctors were busy with the serious cases; the slightly wounded soldier quietly waited while they worked.

– Todd gave an excellent report; his instructor thanked him after the rest of the class had left the room.

Let’s Review

• Please turn to the worksheet titled

Four Types of Sentences. These are your guided note sheets.

• Please work with a partner to complete these notes.

Putting it all together

Please turn to the worksheet titled

Sentence Identification Activity

Identify the

1) type of sentence

2) the formula used

The Sentence Writing Strategyis about

a researched and validated writing strategy that teaches students how to

write complete and complicated sentences.

Learn it

Score it

Teach it

By having teachers

first

By having teachers know

how toBy having teachers understand how to

Background Knowledge

By understanding

Teaching The Sentence Writing Strategy

Skills taught in theFundamentals Program

Capital letter Prepositional phrase

End punctuation Adjective

Subject Main subject

Action verb Complete subject

Linking verb Helping verb

Simple sentence Adverb

InfinitiveHelp students identify if

they have written a

complete sentence

Fundamentals in Sentence Writing Strategy

Fundamentals in theSentence Writing Strategy

• The five requirements of a complete sentence

• A strategy for writing & checking sentences ("PENS")

• A sub-strategy for checking sentence completeness ("MARK")

• Four types of simple sentences

The Five Requirements of a Sentence

1.Start with a capital letter

2.Have end punctuation (. ? !)

3.Have a subject (S)

4.Have a verb (V)

5.Make sense

S V . ? !

Fundamentals in theSentence Writing Strategy

• The five requirements of a complete sentence

• A strategy for writing & checking sentences ("PENS")

• A sub-strategy for checking sentence completeness ("MARK")

• Four types of simple sentences

Step 1: Pick a formula

Step 2: Explore words to fit the formula

Step 3: Note the words

Step 4: Search and check

Search and Check Step

Mark out the imposters.

Ask “Is there a verb?”

Root out the subject. (Ask, “Who or what ___________?”)

Key in on the– Beginning

– Ending

– Meaning

Fundamentals Steps for Sentence Writing

The Subject of a Sentence

The subject is the person, place, thing, quality, or idea that the sentence is about.

John went for a walk. (Person)

Towns are quiet after snowfalls. (Place)

Eggs rolled off the counter.(Things)

Silence is golden. (Quality)

Peace is at hand. (Idea)

Action Verb

A verb is a word that shows the

action of the subject of the sentence.

Examples:Body Actions Mind Actionswalk thinkrun wonderwrite want

TimelyPositive

Individual

Corrective

Quality feedback needs to be…

The PENS Strategy

Pick a formula

Explore words to fit the formula

Note the words

Search and check

Search & Check Step

M

Ask ”Is there a verb?"

Root out the subject

(by asking, ”Who or What _____?")

Key in on the – beginning – ending – meaning

Linking Verbs

Words that link the subject to another word that describes the subject.

Am Was

Are Were

Is Seem

Be

Been

Become

The Imposters

Imposter # 1 is an Infinitive. Since it has a verb in it, it tries to trick you into thinking it is the verb of the sentence.

Ex.

Madonna loves to sing.

Infinitives

to + a verbWatch out! “To” can also be a preposition!

Examples: To run, to throw, to dance

To think, to imagine, to remember

To be, to feel, to seem

Search & Check StepMark out imposters

– infinitives

Ask “Is there a verb?”Root out the subject

(“Who or What _____?”)Key in on the

– beginning– ending – meaning

The Imposters

Imposter #2 is a prepositional phrase. Since it has a noun in it, it tries to trick you into thinking it is the subject of the sentence.

Ex.

He jumped over the fence.

about down pastabove duringacross sinceafter exceptagainst throughalong for throughoutamid from toamong towardaround in at inside under

into underneathbefore untilbehind like upbelow uponbeneath near

withbeside of withinoff on withoutbeyond overby out

outside of

Prepositions

The plane flies ________ the cloud.

Search & Check StepMark out imposters

– infinitives– prepositional phrases

Ask “Is there a verb?”Root out the subject

(“Who or What _____?”)Key in on the

– beginning– ending – meaning

Lessons 6-8:

Types of Simple Sentences SV "One person doing one thing"

SSV"Two people doing one thing"

SVV"One person doing two things'

SSVV "Two people doing two things"

Lesson 9: Adjectives and Main Subjects

Subject: the big old yellow house

Main Subject: house

be been become being

Helping Verbs

maymightmust

cancould

shallshould

dodoesdid

hashavehad will

would

amare

waswere

is

Recall Device for Helping Verbs

C H A D B. S W I M2 3 2 3 3 2 4 1 3

Chad B. Swim is 23 years old

Scaffolded Instruction

• Small steps

• Success ensured

• Continuous review

• Complexity builds

Instructional Sequence for Each Lesson

• Review (verbal practice)

• Describe Learn by

• Model Watching

• Verbal practice Learn by

• Guided practice Sharing

• Controlled and Learn by

• Independent practice Practicing

...

Teaching Proficiency in Sentence Writing Strategy

Compound Sentences

Compound SentencesStage 2: Describe

Teach the students the rationale for varying sentence structures, and the requirements and formulas for compound sentences.

Stage 3: ModelShow the students how the strategy is performed by performing it yourself while “thinking out loud.”

CompoundSentence

•Graph progresson chart.

•Use Worksheets1A-D through 6A-D.

Stage 5 & 6: Controlled and

AdvancedPractice

Group Activity

• Turn to the Describe Stage of Compound Sentences on page 57. (20-

30 min. lesson)

• Read each of the numbered steps to see what the teaching sequence

is.

• Look at Cue Cards #7-10 at the back of the book.

• Do Worksheets 1A, 2A, 3A, (or half of each) that are in your Activities

packet.

• Score them using the directions in the back of the Proficiency in

Sentence Writing Student Lessons book. (Guidelines – p. 100-1)

(Answers p.113-116)

Teaching Proficiency in Sentence Writing Strategy

Complex Sentences

• Celebrate

• Set goals

• Prompt

• Remind

• Require

• Reward

•HAVE FUN!

Scoring

Directions: Instruction Manual p.137-144

Score Sheet: Instruction Manual p.174

Write six sentences on

one of the following

topics. Try to vary the

types of sentences you

write.

Pre-test What types of sentences do you write?

Topic List Sentence Writing Strategy

My favorite meal

Summer activities

The best things about school

Life as a teenager

The best place to live

My favorite sport

My favorite store

The best job in the world

My New Year's resolution

Name __________________________________ Date ________________ Topic ________________________________________ Write at least 6 sentences. Use the Sentence Writing Strategy. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Comments: ______________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________

Simple Compound Complex Non-sentence

AIM TODAY

% complete 100%

% compound/complex 33 %

% complicated with correct punctuation

66%

Check your writing

How many complete?How many simple?How many compound?How many complex?How many are punctuated correctly?