Let's Write Compound Sentences with Fanboys!

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Tell students that a compound sentence is made up of two or more complete thoughts (independent clauses) that are combined using a conjunction and a comma.
• Write two simple sentences on the board, like: "Grandma makes the best apple pie. She doesn't make blueberry pie."
• Remind students that a simple sentence (independent clause) contains a subject and a predicate (verb phrase). Label the subject (Grandma/she) and verb (make/makes) in each sentence.
• Show students how to combine the sentences using a conjunction (i.e., "Grandma makes the best apple pie, but she doesn't make blueberry pie."). Circle the conjunction in the new compound sentence.
• Model the process again with a different set of simple sentences, like: "Joey wants to go to Disneyland. He is afraid of rollercoasters." (Note: try to use a different conjunction than the first example, like "yet".)

Guided Practice

• Hand out the worksheet Compound Sentence Practice.
• Review the instructions and model the activity by combining two simple sentences to make a compound sentence (i.e., "Erin practices archery, and she enjoys spending time with several friends who are also archers.").
• Instruct students to work with a partner to write five additional compound sentences on the worksheet.
• When all students are finished, call on a few volunteers to share their sentences aloud.

Independent working time

• Hand out the worksheet Creating Compound Sentences.
• Instruct students to complete the worksheet independently.
• Circulate and offer support as needed.