Types of Sentences

This week, we started our Grammar learning. Fourth graders are learning about the four types of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

First, we did some building. There are students who learn best when they have the opportunity to construct and build their learning. We created Types of Sentences posters. Students cuts out the terms, organized the information, created flaps, recorded notes about the meaning or each, then wrote a sample sentence of each under the related flap. This assignment also had a different color assigned to each type of sentence for students who are visual learners and color helps their memory.

Students who are extraverted (like to talk and interact with their peers) also benefit from these lessons, because it offers time for them to make connections as they are in the building and set up steps.

On the next day, we completed graphic organizers. We had a second direct lesson about the four types. Again, we defined each time, recorded the type of punctuation mark used, and wrote a meaning for each base word. At the end, we composed a learning statement about why this is important. Why do we take the time to learn about the Types of Sentences. We said, "We learn the types of sentences, because it expands our vocabulary and allows us to talk and learn about sentences." This page of notes will be checked for accuracy, then students will keep it in their Communications Folders all year long as a reference tool.

 Then, we began the year-long process of using this information. We practice daily on our Daily Language.

We practice proofreading and editing marks too (glued on the back cover of the planner).

We also applied our learning in our Practice Book. We completed two examples together as a class, then students practiced and demonstrated their learning independently. They showed their progress to Ms. Leom, and she retaught or redirected us if we forgot the VERY IMPORTANT punctuation - the point of the less or a detail from the directions. She likes us, and she wants us to be successful, so she had us rework it until we were successful.

This is one of our lessons we are developing this week in class.