Strengthening Sentences Lesson Plan: Knowledge of Language

Grade Levels: 3-5, 6-8

*Click to open and customize your own copy of the Strengthening Sentences Lesson Plan. 

This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP topic Strengthening Sentences, and supports the standard of applying knowledge of language to make effective choices for meaning or style. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of creative projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Display this sentence: The holes in the nice garden planted by Cassie had been made by a squirrel. 

Ask students: How could you improve this sentence?  

Step 2: BUILD BACKGROUND

  • Read aloud the description on the Strengthening Sentences topic page.
  • Play the Movie, pausing to check for understanding. 
  • Have students read one of the following Related Reading articles: “Arts and Entertainment” or “Language.” Partner them with someone who read a different article to share what they learned with each other.

Step 3: ENGAGE
Students express what they learned about strengthening sentences while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student needs.

  • Make-a-Movie: Create a tutorial that answers this question:  What are some  strategies for strengthening a sentence? (Essential Literacy Skill: Summarize key details)
  • Make-a-Map: Make a concept map identifying multiple ways to strengthen a specific sentence. (Essential Literacy Skill: Summarize key details)
  • Creative Coding: Code a newscast with a headline that uses active voice, modifiers, and deliberate word choices. (Essential Literacy Skill: Acquire and use domain specific words and phrases)

Step 4: APPLY & ASSESS 

Apply: Students play the game After the Storm, applying essential literacy skills while demonstrating what they learned about this topic.

Assess: Wrap up the lesson with the Strengthening Sentences Quiz. 

Step 5:  EXTEND LEARNING

Related BrainPOP Topics: Deepen understanding of strengthening sentences with these topics: Active and Passive Voice, Types of Sentences, and Run-On Sentences. 

Additional Support Resources:

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments

Related:

    Filed as:  3-5, 6-8, BrainPOP, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.5, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.3.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.4.7, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.5.3, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RI.6.3