Let�s Spice It Up
Melinda Kennedy
Purpose:
����������� The purpose of this mini lesson is to show students the
importance of sentence variety. This mini lesson is to show students how a
variety of sentences can make a piece of writing come alive and flow better. This
mini lesson should be taught after students have written several pieces of
writing.
Material:
Overhead projector
Pens
Sentence Variety transparent
Sentence Variety handouts for
students (it is the same as the transparent)
Highlighters
Time Required:
Approximately 15-20 minutes
Objectives:
NCTE
#5 Students employ a wide
range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements
appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purpose.
NCSCS
Competency Goal 6 - The
learner will apply conventions of application of grammar and language usage.
����������� 6.01 Model an understanding of conventional written and
spoken �������������������������������������������� expression
by:�� ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Using
a variety of sentences correctly, punctuating them properly, ��������������������������������������� and
avoiding fragments and run-ons.
Script:
����������� �Everyone in this room can be successful writers; it just
takes some practice. When you write papers, I want you to capture the
individual�s attention who is� reading
your paper. I want that individual to have a desire to keep reading instead of
falling asleep trying to read it. By making the choice to use sentence variety,
you can capture an individual�s attention. Sentence variety is very important
in writing. Using sentence variety helps the paper to have a better flow, it
helps the reader to stay focused, and it creates a balance.
����������� Let�s do a quick review of the types of sentences. (I
will write the following types of sentences on the overhead). A declarative
sentence makes a statement. This type of sentence usually tells something about
a person, a place, a thing, or an idea. An interrogative sentence asks
questions. An imperative sentence makes commands. Usually this type of sentence
will have an understood subject (you). An exclamatory sentence reveals strong
emotion or surprise.
����������� Now let�s look at sentence structure. When writing
papers, use simple sentences to explain a complete independent thought. A
simple sentence has one independent clause. On the other hand, you should use a
compound sentence when you have two ideas that are related, or have equal
importance. A compound sentence has two independent clauses. Coordinating
conjunction or a semicolon joins this type of sentence. In addition, you should
use a complex sentence when you have an independent clause and one or more
dependent clauses. (Put the Sentence Variety transparent on the overhead
projector. We will read over the transparent as a group. Next, hand the
students their own sentence variety worksheet.) I want you to get out the last
paper you turned into me. I want you to complete this worksheet using the
papers I just handed back to you.�
�
Website for Sentence Variety
Worksheet:
http://www.pearsoned.ca/sightlines/gr_8/common/language_workshop/gr8_lwm8.pdf