Teaching Sentence Sense

Help Students Go From Reading Words on Cards To Reading Sentences

Sep 6, 2007 Candy Carlile

Do you have students who can read words on cards, but cannot transfer that skill to reading the same words in sentences? Here are some creative activities to help.

Primary teaching of reading sometimes has some interesting challenges. One of these is having a child who has seemingly mastered the primary word list and can recognize them without hesitation when they appear on flash cards, but when the same words are shown in a sentence or a phrase, the child seems to go blank.

The simple fact is that reading words on cards is a different skill than reading words in sentences. Many children do seem to automatically make the transition from word calling to making sense of sentences, but for those beginning readers who struggle with the transition, direct teaching is usually the answer. The sentence sense activities that follow are some tried and true strategies used when working with primary readers in a university reading clinic.

Direct Teaching of Sentence Sense

Before students are presented with sentence sense activities, they should be taughts that words are the building blocks of sentences. Make this a very concrete explanation using three wooden word blocks that have three of the primary words they have learned in isolation, either printed or taped on them. You might also have a fourth block with a black circle for a period. As you explain the building block concept, move the three blocks together to make a simple three word sentence, and add the ending period. Example: "It is me." Do this several times, asking the child to help in moving the blocks and reading the sentence orally.

Word Necklaces

Select six words from the primary reading list that can be combined to make two different three word sentences. Print each word on a large strip of posterboard and attach string. Ask for six student volunteers to wear the word necklaces as they stand in front of the class. Have those who are seated tell you how the students in front might be moved around in order to create simple sentences. When new sentences are formed, write them on the board for sharing.

Search and Find

As children enter the classroom give each a word strip. Allow time for each child to find their two partners in order to make a sentence. Stop the class as sentences are made and read them orally together. Children may help each other find matching partners.

Pass it On

Give each child a beginning word to make a sentence. As you pass different words down their row, or around their table, children must decide if they can use the words to help make their sentences. If so, the words are kept. If not, words must be passed on. When a sentence is made, the child shouts, "Stop," and reads the sentence aloud.

Buddy Sentences

Put students in pairs and give each pair an envelope with 5 primary words that can be arranged into a sentence. There might also be some cards with rebus pictures that can be used for unknown words if desired. Have students select their favorite sentence, staple words to the bulletin board and share orally.

Pin Up Words

Have four different "clotheslines" attached around the classroom. Divide the class into four groups and give a basket of word cards to each group. Have students take clothespins and attach the words on the lines to create simple sentences. Students can tell the teacher which sentences they would like written on the board. Those sentences can then be read throughout the day by different students to reinforce word recognition.

Interactive Computer Games for Reinforcement

Patch Worker-"Can you make sense of a sentence?"

Word Hunt~Find and drag words to make sentences

The copyright of the article Teaching Sentence Sense in Primary School is owned by Candy Carlile. Permission to republish Teaching Sentence Sense in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Building Blocks of Sentences