STRETCH: Adding Details to Simple Sentences

Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling

• Have students talk about what makes a sentence a sentence. After discussion, remind the class that both a subject and a noun are needed.
• Mention that most of the sentences we say aloud in everyday conversation are long, detailed, and interesting. When we start to write, our sentences often come out short and sometimes sound boring.
• Display the Sentence Stretcher graphic organizer using an interactive whiteboard or projector.
• Use this organizer to help turn an ordinary sentence into more elaborate or detailed sentences.
• Write a simple sentence on the board. (Example: The baby cried.)
• Model and rewrite the sentence using the boxes in the graphic organizer. Rewrite the completed sentence on the board. (Example: The cranky baby cried loudly in the stroller because it was hungry.)

Guided Practice

• Write two more simple sentences on the board and ask for volunteers to fill in the graphic organizer.
• Rewrite the sentences and have students copy the sentences in their writing journal or on a clean sheet of paper.

Independent working time

• Have students work on their own simple sentences in their journals or on writing paper. Example sentences include: She is my best friend. I like to eat. I went shopping. The baby cried. The cake was good. I like to read.
• As students work independently, walk around to assist any students who need support.
• After students finish working with the graphic organizer, ask them to transfer completed sentences to their writing journals or a sheet of paper.