In a previous post, I discussed my efforts to accelerate the understanding of basic sentence construction for my ELL Newcomers. I explained how I was using “Sentence Navigators” as a strategy to help them grasp sentence structure more effectively. These navigators are essentially puzzle-like sentence patterning charts that students can use to practice forming sentences. After becoming more proficient with the navigators, I often transition them to using sentence scrambles as an additional practice tool.
Building on this strategy, I have introduced a new approach to enhance their sentence construction skills. Most teachers are familiar with the sentence expansion strategy, where words and phrases are added to simple sentences for complexity. I have now begun connecting this strategy to sentence scrambles in my classroom.
Each week, students work in peer tutor-led groups on themed “Sentence Navigators” related to our current topic (this week’s theme is “Animals”). These navigators are created by peer tutors in my class. Following the completion of the navigators, students work on a sheet of fifteen scrambled sentences, also related to the theme. These sentences are divided into groups of three gradually expanded sentences, allowing students to practice constructing more complex sentences.
For example:
1. brown the giraffe . at look
2. giraffe eating leaves. brown at the look
3. the who green in is brown giraffe the sun. at look eating leaves
ANSWER:
– Look at the brown giraffe.
– Look at the brown giraffe eating leaves.
– Look at the brown giraffe who is eating green leaves in the sun.
This approach seems to be yielding positive results in my classroom. I am always open to new ideas and suggestions on how to further improve this strategy. Let me know your thoughts on how I can make it even more effective.