Teaching Compound Sentences {and Freebie}

Most of my kids can write sentences. That is….simple sentences.

“I like apples.” “The dog is running.” “I have a cat.” Sound familiar?

Taking it further can be challenging (both for me and for them). However, as they grow, they will need to be able to formulate complete simple AND compound sentences. “When?” you ask? Well, let’s see….According to the CCSS, by FIRST GRADE.

CCSS Language 1: Produce and expand complete simple and compound declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences in response to prompts.

The earlier we start teaching them that they need to go beyond simple sentences, the better. And let’s face it, better sentences just makes them sound better overall, am I right? If I can get my babies to expand what they say so they sound older than they are…? Well, then I’m a happy SLP.

This week we’ve been doing a few activities focusing on expanding those simple sentences into compound sentences. This activity was an expansion of a few provided in my Leveled Grammar Intervention Binder. 

First, students need to understand what simple and compound sentences are. I did this using an anchor chart. I love anchor charts but the regular ones seem a little large for my speech room. Instead, I bought this tabletop easel from Amazon and love it. Whiteboards are nice too but can’t be rolled up and re-used next year like anchor charts. And, there’s just something about these pieces of paper that kids love. After you’re finished teaching, have them get up and explain to the rest of the group the topic using the anchor chart. They feel special. 🙂

We used two ribbons to represent simple sentences and tied them together. The knot, I told them, represents the conjunction.

Next, it’s practice time! I created this free Compound Sentence Writing Template to write those sentences.

 

It contains varying levels so that I can use it across my caseload. And students will need to grab some crayons to identify simple sentences and conjunctions in their sentences as a check. If it doesn’t have these components, it’s not a compound sentence and they need to go back over their work.

 

 

For extra practice, you’ll find activities like the ones below in my Leveled Grammar Intervention Binder.  I just place these pages in sheet protectors and students can write on them and wipe them off for easy repetition!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do you have other ideas for teaching compound sentences? I’d love to know!

 

Also, I’m hosting a live periscope session tonight for the second time on data collection. I’d love if you’d join me! (username NicoleRAllison)