Lesson Plan
The Sentence Contest by ECSDM
Subject
English Language Arts (NYS P-12 Common Core)
Grade Levels
Elementary, Kindergarten, 1st Grade, 2nd Grade
Grouping Strategy
Whole Group
Objective
Students will review the definition of a sentence and be able to correctly identify the sentences (complete thoughts) from a list of possibilities.
Equipment and Materials
Teacher-made chart stating the definition of a sentence
Chart listing both sentences and phrases
Student response cards (one card per student with a YES written on one side and NO on the other)
Prerequisites
Some familiarity with definition of a sentence
Motivation and Procedure
Motivation:
Write one or two simple sentences on the blackboard.
Procedure:
- Ask students to read the sentence(s). Praise their ability to read them. Inform students that what they have just read is called a sentence.
- Review and explain the definition of a sentence using prepared chart. Give examples.
- A sentence is a group of words that expresses a complete thought.
- Who? [noun: person, place or thing] did What? [verb: an action.]
- It begins with a capital letter and ends with a period.
- Direct students' attention to the prepared chart listing both complete and incomplete sentences. Inform students that they will be judges at a sentence contest.
- Hand out the student response cards and give directions for their use.
- Read a selection from the chart and ask if it meets the following critieria:
- Does it begin with a capital and end with a period?
- Does it express a complete thought?
- Is there a need for additional information(to complete the thought)?
- Give students time to reflect on the above questions.
- Instruct the students to cast their vote by indicating a yes or no response.
- Repeat the selection and go through the set of questions again giving the correct answers. State if the selection is or is not a sentence.
- Repeat procedure with additional selections.
- Conclude the lesson by repeating the definition of a sentence and thank the students for being judges in the Sentence Contest.
Vocabulary
Sentence, Sentence Structure, Grammar, Criteria, Complete Thought
Modifications
Lesson could be done in a small group setting or in a cooperative group setting using the strategy of Numbered Heads Together.
Evidence of Learning
Correct responses, teacher judgment of students' understanding of concept.
Extensions
Further practice to increase students ability to correctly identify sentences.
Description
Students will learn the definition of a sentence and practice identifying complete sentences. While this lesson was written for Kindergarten students, it is adaptable to 1st and 2nd grade and students with special needs.
Duration:
One Session
