Fluency #1 - Sentence Combining

VITAL INFORMATION

Subject Matter:

Elementary, Writing

Grades:

1

Software Application:

StarOffice Writer, or any word processing program

LESSON DESCRIPTION

Summary:

Students will revise sentences by combining two sentences into one.

State & National Standards:

CO- Colorado Academic Standards

• Subject : Reading and Writing

• Standard 2: Students write and speak for a variety of purposes and audiences

Writing and speaking are essential tools for learning, for success in the workplace, and for responsible citizenship. Developing a range of writing and speaking abilities requires extensive study, practice, and thinking. Students need frequent opportunities to write and speak for different audiences and purposes, and they need to be able to communicate expressively, informatively, and analytically. Growth in writing and speaking abilities occurs by applying skills to increasingly challenging communication tasks

• Grade/Level : CO- Colorado Academic Standards

• Grade/Level : Grades K-4

 Performance Indicator : organizing their speaking and writing

 Performance Indicator : choosing vocabulary that communicates their messages clearly and precisely

 Performance Indicator : revising and editing speech and writing

 Performance Indicator : creating readable documents with legible handwriting or word processing at the appropriate time• Standard 3: Students write and speak using conventional grammar, usage, sentence structure, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling

Students need to know and be able to use standard English. Proficiency in this standard plays an important role in how the writer or speaker is understood and perceived. All skills in this standard are reinforced and practiced at all grade levels and should be monitored by both the teacher and student to develop lifelong learning skills

• Grade/Level : CO- Colorado Academic Standards

• Grade/Level : Grades K-4

 Performance Indicator : knowing and using correct capitalization, punctuation, and abbreviations

 Performance Indicator : spelling frequently used words correctly using phonics rules and exceptions

Local Standards:

Adams 12 Technology Standard 2: Student uses productivity software as a basis for learning and skill building, and demonstrates an understanding of the universal tools of word processing.

- begins to use special function keys: enter/return, space bar, shift, delete and backspace

- locates letters, numbers and ending punctuation characters

- knows how to make capital letters using the shift key.

- uses the backspace/delete key to edit text.

Lesson Outcomes:

Students will be able to take two related sentences and combine them into one sentence in order to enhance fluency.

Assessment:

Students will be assessed primarily by teacher observation on this lesson.

The Sentence Fluency portions of the attached rubric will be used to evaluate the students' completed sentences.

Assessment/Rubrics:

Rubrics:

Grade 1 Writing Rubric  

CLASSROOM & TIME MANAGEMENT

Student Prerequisites:

Students should have basic word processing skills, and should have completed the Conventions Unit (Lessons 1-4.)

Lesson Preparation:

Prepare the students by exposing them to the trait of sentence fluency. This can be done through read-aloud experiences, discussions, teacher modeling, shared examples, and oral practice of sentence combining.

Time Frame:

1 class period. 30 Min. per class.

Implementation Steps:

1. The teacher models two examples of sentence combining for students.

2. The teacher provides the students with sets of two sentences (see Lesson Resources).

3. Students read each set and decide on a way to combine the sentences so that the meaning will be clear.

4. Students type the new sentences, and revise as needed.

5. Students print a copy of their completed sentences.

6. Teacher and students go over each sentence. This can be done in the lab or back in the classroom.

RESOURCES

Lesson Resources:

Use the attached sentences as examples for students to combine, or create others as you wish. It is better for first graders to have a copy of the sentences right in front of them so that they can key them in more easily. I therefore made three copies per page and cut them apart so that each student had a copy.

Attachments:

 1.  Sample Sentences to Combine

STUDENT PRODUCT(S)

Product(s) Description:

A student example is attached.

Attachments:

 1.  Daniel's Sentences

REFLECTION

Comments:

This is the first lesson in a sentence fluency unit of five lessons. Each lesson builds on the previous lesson. It can be adapted for 2nd-5th graders by changing the complexity of the sentences.

Most of my proficient writers did well on this activity, although it was difficult for writers who still struggle with the understanding of what makes a sentence. Teachers may choose to do these activities orally with struggling writers.

 

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Sentences to Combine

1. Amy likes cookies. She likes milk.

2. Matt went to recess. He played with Sam.

3. I have a cat. She is yellow.

4. I went to my grandma's house. I ate dinner.

5. I have a stuffed dog. It is my favorite toy.

Sentences to Combine

1. Amy likes cookies. She likes milk.

2. Matt went to recess. He played with Sam.

3. I have a cat. She is yellow.

4. I went to my grandma's house. I ate dinner.

5. I have a stuffed dog. It is my favorite toy.

Sentences to Combine

1. Amy likes cookies. She likes milk.

2. Matt went to recess. He played with Sam.

3. I have a cat. She is yellow.

4. I went to my grandma's house. I ate dinner.

5. I have a stuffed dog. It is my favorite toy.

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Sentence Fluency Lesson #1

Name: Student Sample

1. Amy likes cookies and milk.

2. Matt played with Sam at recess.

3. I have a yellow cat.

4. I ate dinner at my grandma's house.

5. My favorite toy is my stuffed dog.

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