I had every intention of doing a weekly blog post over what I am teaching that week, but… I have been STRUGGLING to find the time. This year has already been so crazy busy. Being a teacher, plus a mom, plus an admin/assistant A.D. wife– you know what I mean. There is SOMETHING every single night of the week.
Anyhoo- this week, you’ll find us in the middle of our Sentence Structure unit. I like this to be my first big unit because in 6th grade, my main focus is helping them grow as writers. That means moving beyond basic simple sentences. Last week, we reviewed simple sentences and moved onto compound sentences. I teach the kids all three ways to create a compound: with a coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, and with a conjunctive adverb. This week, we’ll talk about dependent clauses, subordinating conjunctions, and how those create complex sentences. Whew! We’ll then review and learn to write using all types of sentences structures (they will learn compound-complex next year).
Monday– I will teach dependent clauses & subordinating conjunctions using scaffolded notes over a slide show and video lessons. The original slides can be found in in my TpT, but I have adjusted them a bit for my classes this year by adding in some YouTube videos. I like to post these in Google Classroom for any absent students. It is also helpful for reteaching and reviewing for tests. We will watch, discuss, add to our notes, and do some practice questions. I also have a five-question exit ticket if we have time.
Tuesday– Today, we will use what we learned on Monday and move onto complex sentences. Same drill: add to our scaffolded notes via slide show, video lessons, and discussion. Then I will have them work on a short assignment I found online where they will be given a simple sentence and must add a dependent clause to create a complex sentence. I will encourage them to practice adding the dependent clause to both the beginning and the end of the sentence and practice punctuating appropriately.
Wednesday– Today is review day! We will be playing a chicken flinger game I found at www.thoseutahsisters.com. This is a new-to-me game, and I KNOW the kids will love it so much (chicken flingers were purchased on Amazon). I’ll report back on how this goes…
Thursday– Another review day, but this time is partner sorts. This resource is also available in my TpT Sentence Structure Bundle. We’ll use our appointment clocks to pair up. The kids will work together to cut apart and sort the words and punctuation into compound and complex sentences. If time, I will have them write the sentences down on a sheet of notebook paper and turn in for me to check.
Friday– No school!
I really try to work in equal parts handwriting notes and review games/hands-on activities. Too much note-taking and lecture can be boring–for them and me! Plus, I want them to learn that note-taking is an important part of learning (it activates so many neurons), by letting them use their notes for the review activities.
Next week, we will continue this sentence structure unit by applying the skills to actual writing and preparing for the unit test. Stay tuned!
–Jayme
complete sentence structure bundle
(Notes, Sorts, 4 Corners, and Canister
Relay Race Reviews in my TpT store)
