SENTENCE FLUENCY

Mrs. Richmond’s ClassMarch 3, 2011

AZ WRITING STANDARDS S1. C3. PO4. Rearrange words, sentences, and paragraphs to clarify the meaning or to enhance the writing style.

S3. C1. PO5. Add transitional words, phrases and/or sentences to clarify meaning or enhance the writing style.

S3. C1. PO8. Use resources and reference materials to select more precise vocabulary.

S2. C5. PO1. Fluency addresses the rhythm and flow of language. Sentences are strong and varied in structure and length. Write simple and compound sentences.

S2. C5. PO2. Write sentences that flow together and sound natural when read aloud.

S2. C5. PO3. Vary sentence beginnings, lengths, and patterns to enhance the flow of the writing.

YOUR OBJECTIVE/GOAL:

1. Use previous lessons, strategies, and resources to enhance your Sentence Fluency!

2. Create interesting and natural flowing sentences.

3. Rearrange words, add transitional words and phrases, and vary the length of sentences and the sentence beginnings to enhance your writing.

4. Gain confidence in your ability to generate more advanced and varied sentences.

After this activity, several follow-up activities are also scheduled for you to more effectively apply the strategies used in independent situations.

What is Sentence Fluency?• graceful, easy to read aloud

· natural sounding

· variety in length and structure that create a pleasant rhythm

•effective and smooth phrasing · effective use of transitions and conjunctions

SOME BASIC WAYS TO ENHANCE SENTENCE FLUENCY

1. Flip a sentence: Start sentences differently• Prepositional phrase start• Adverb & Adjective start

• & other strategies will come…

2. Develop/pad a sentence • Strong verbs, specific adjectives, & concrete nouns• Loaded emotional words• 5 senses to paint a picture

3. Combine sentences

4. Appositive phrases

5. Use embedded transitions

6. Varying sentence length (short powerful, long complex)

DEVELOP/PAD A SENTENCE

USING STRONG VERBS!

USE STRONG VERBS TO DEVELOP/PAD A SENTENCE, AND

AVOID “WEAK” VERBS:

1. Instead of went:

2. Instead of said:

DEVELOP/PAD A SENTENCE

USING SPECIFIC ADJECTIVES &

CONCRETE NOUNS

SPECIFIC ADJECTIVES & CONCRETE NOUNS

1. Instead of dog• white poodle

2. Instead of street:• freeway

ENHANCE YOUR SENTENCE FLUENCY:

COMBINING SENTENCES

COMBINING SENTENCES

The dog hurried across the street.The dog was attempting to avoid the car.

Combining Example:Attempting to avoid the car, the dog hurried across the street.

Class Version Combination: Attempting to avoid the speeding cars, the blind, white poodle hurried across the freeway.

LET’S PLAY!

LET’S PLAY! I will assign you a group to work with.

Paper upside down -Leave it!

Notes & dictionaries/thesaurus

Timer start: Flip page & together make the sentence more interesting, using Sentence Fluency strategies! Have fun!

Time up: Pass paper to next group -upside down - Leave it!

Timer start: Flip the page & read previous examples

Then create your own! Have fun!

Pick 2 favorites and share aloud

What strategies were used?

SENTENCES TO USE WITH ACTIVITY We went to the restaurant for dinner. The man walked his pet. The girls played with their dolls. We went to the park to play. The boys got lunch. We will go outside. I like to go to the mall. I like to play with my toys. The teacher looked silly. The lady bought groceries at the store. The boys played outside. We went to the store and bought plants.

YOUR OBJECTIVE/GOAL:

1. Use previous lessons, strategies, and resources to enhance your Sentence Fluency!

2. Create interesting and natural flowing sentences.

3. Rearrange words, add transitional words and phrases, and vary the length of sentences and the sentence beginnings to enhance your writing.

4. Gain confidence in your ability to generate more advanced and varied sentences.

After this activity, several follow-up activities are also scheduled for you to more effectively apply the strategies used in independent situations.

AZ WRITING STANDARDS S1. C3. PO4. Rearrange words, sentences, and paragraphs to clarify the meaning or to enhance the writing style.

S3. C1. PO5. Add transitional words, phrases and/or sentences to clarify meaning or enhance the writing style.

S3. C1. PO8. Use resources and reference materials to select more precise vocabulary.

S2. C5. PO1. Fluency addresses the rhythm and flow of language. Sentences are strong and varied in structure and length. Write simple and compound sentences.

S2. C5. PO2. Write sentences that flow together and sound natural when read aloud.

S2. C5. PO3. Vary sentence beginnings, lengths, and patterns to enhance the flow of the writing.

PAD A SENTENCE USING LOADED &

EMOTIONAL WORDS

Which word has the more negative connotation?

proud or stuck up weak or wimpy

lazy or unmotivated unusual or weird

stubborn or determined sweat or perspire

fast food or junk food slow or cautious

look or stare old or mature

tired or exhausted bold or assertive

Dynamic Symmetry Patterns of three break the rhythm while advancing the

action.Try to find three verbs, phrases, or

adjectives that describe the action to enhance your sentence.

Examples:

Verbs: “The train braked, screeched, and finally came to a halt.”

Phrases: “The aroma of coffee perking, griddle cakes rising, and bacon frying. . .”

Verbs: “Stop, drop, and roll!”

Adjectives: “The thin, pink, razor phone…. “

PAINT A PICTURE!

TELL WHAT IT LOOKS, TASTES, SMELLS, SOUNDS, OR FEELS LIKE USING FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE.

EX: MY BED LOOKS LIKE A ZEBRA WITH ITS BLACK AND WHITESTRIPED COMFORTER.

Use your 5 senses: Tell how it looks, tastes, smells, and sounds using concrete nouns, specific adjectives, and strong verbs.

EX: My bed looks good now because I painted it white. I bought a black and white striped comforter and three firm, round black pillows to toss on it. It is so comfortable looking and inviting.

LET’S PLAY SOME MORE!

SENTENCES TO USE WITH ACTIVITY We went to the restaurant for dinner. The man walked his pet. The girls played with their dolls. We went to the park to play. The boys got lunch. We will go outside. I like to go to the mall. I like to play with my toys. The teacher looked silly. The lady bought groceries at the store. The boys played outside. We went to the store and bought plants.

YOUR OBJECTIVE/GOAL:

1. Use previous lessons, strategies, and resources to enhance your Sentence Fluency!

2. Create interesting and natural flowing sentences.

3. Rearrange words, add transitional words and phrases, and vary the length of sentences and the sentence beginnings to enhance your writing.

4. Gain confidence in your ability to generate more advanced and varied sentences.

After this activity, several follow-up activities are also scheduled for you to more effectively apply the strategies used in independent situations.

AZ WRITING STANDARDS S1. C3. PO4. Rearrange words, sentences, and paragraphs to clarify the meaning or to enhance the writing style.

S3. C1. PO5. Add transitional words, phrases and/or sentences to clarify meaning or enhance the writing style.

S3. C1. PO8. Use resources and reference materials to select more precise vocabulary.

S2. C5. PO1. Fluency addresses the rhythm and flow of language. Sentences are strong and varied in structure and length. Write simple and compound sentences.

S2. C5. PO2. Write sentences that flow together and sound natural when read aloud.

S2. C5. PO3. Vary sentence beginnings, lengths, and patterns to enhance the flow of the writing.