Help with different sentence structures

twinkle298 · Help with different sentence structures

I am doing guided writing tomorrow with a group whose target is to use a variety of sentences structures. However my mind has gone blank and I can't actually think of any different structures I could use as examples or work through with them. We are doing a piece of writing about the journeys they have made in their life. Any ideas welcome, thanks!

Chilli Queen

Do you mean things like sentences with connectives in the middle, sentences with subordinate clauses, sentences which start with a verb or an adjective etc.?

twinkle298

Yes I think so, not really sure what I mean! One of the targets for level 4 is the use of a variety of sentence structures but it is really confusing me!
The point from APP says:

some variety in length,
structure or subject of
sentences

Knightrider

How about setting success criteria that
a) they must use because or which as a connective (should mean they then get subordination)
b) start a sentence with an adverb (they then get starting a sentence with something other than the subject and narrator's viewpoint)
c) start a sentence with a time connective (next, after that, finally)

I know that doesn't help you with examples, but how about you model some sentences using these 3 "tricks". My brain is on the way to bed, but I suspect you could write a sentence about a journey and then re-write it in each of the 3 ways above to show how a bland sentence can be made more interesting and to include more information.

Hope this helps.

choccat

Is this any use?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ks2b...ar/language_structure/read1.shtml

twinkle298

Thanks Knightrider. They are already very good at using time connectives and because. Will try to focus on which, possibly so that and maybe introduce however as this is my top group. Starting with an adverb is a good one - am I thinking along the right lines with 'Gradually, I learnt how to walk.' ?

sallymgoodman

I have been working with my year 4 class on:

starting sentences with an adverb - 'Cautiously, he reached into the bowl of reeking slime.'

starting sentinces with an -ing verb - 'Staggering through the smoke, he suddenly noticed that the remaining wall was beginning to crumble.'

starting sentences with 'having' - 'Having beaten off the sharp claws of the Minotaur, Theseus ran bleeding into the depths of the labyrinth.'

Knightrider

Like those sally! And yes twinkle, that's exactly what I meant. Good luck and let us know how it goes.

If you want an additional connective to go with which, how about although?

twinkle298

Thanks for all the ideas, I had a go at these today and they understood so will now need to keep pushing them to remember and keep using them. Will also remember these ideas for using with more of the class later in the year as they are ready.

jog_on

Sentence starters on trinity educational are very good - for future reference!

Night Garden

Yes, I used those in my observation. I stuck a few around the room and in pairs the children had to write theri own sentences.
We then talked about the ones that were easy to write compared to others. Used the visualisers to show Chn sentences and discuss.

sallymgoodman

I found that a 'How will you start your sentence?' display was really helpful - I included all the usual openers and the different structures. The children used it loads last year. Which reminds me that I must put it up again!