Thank You for trying out this Super Sentences sample edition of Super Sentences and Perfect

Paragraphs (Scholastic, 2009). If you like this approach, consider purchasing the full version at
TeacherExpress.scholastic.com, or visit my webpage at MackLewis.com or ReadAloudPlays.com.
Theres also a sample Perfect Paragraph on pages 6 through 8!

Super Sentence Instruction Basics

1. Introduce Sentence Structure of the Week. On Monday (or the first day of the
week), teacher introduces the new sentence structure (such as sentences containing dialogue)
by posting the sample sentence and reviewing the hints from the worksheet, which is
distributed to each student.

2. Select Topics. With teacher guidance, students select two or three topics (from the list
included, teacher choice, or as generated by the class). Topics should range from silly
(Orangutans with bad haircuts) to serious Climate Change, and from simple (Shower
Caps) to complex (What it means to be a true friend). Its important the teacher allow
students some freedom to select off the wall topics, as this increases student engagement, but
its also important the teacher periodically introduces serious topics.

3. Craft Sentences. Students craft their own sentences and volunteer their finished product
for posting and discussion.

4. Post and Discuss. Teacher posts two or three student-created sentences and asks the class
for comments, compliments, and criticism. Teacher works with the class on how to pose
criticism politely and constructively. While editing for conventions is a part of this process,
teacher needs to lead class toward discussing the structure of the sentence, the use of details,
word choice, and application of the hints from the worksheet. If time allows, teacher can also
quickly read aloud from the remaining sentences, but he or she should save a few to introduce
the next days lesson.

5. Repeat. On Tuesday through Thursday, the teacher repeats the lesson, focusing on the
same sentence structure but with new topics. Instead of posting the sentence sample from the
worksheet, the teacher selects a sentence from the previous days student work. Teacher should
select one (from an anonymous student) that demonstrates a common problem or highlights a
favorable trait. Using the back of the worksheet, students each write a new Super Sentence.
Teacher posts one or two on the board for discussion.

6. Test and Assess. On Friday, students use the test section of the worksheet to draft a
Super Sentence for formal evaluation. Teacher should insist that sentences be error free as
defined by grade-level standards. For example, spelling of age appropriate words should be
correct (or at teachers discretion, if dictionaries are available, students can be held accountable
for correct spelling of all words), and grade-appropriate punctuation should be accurate. By
using the Super Sentence method, students can and will produce correct, detailed, enjoyable
sentences when its consistently expected of them.

2009 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Super Sentences Sampler Page 2 of 8
 How to Get the Most Out of Super
Sentences
1. Pacing. Moving rapidly through the activity is important. While early in the year it may
take a little longer, this should be about a 20 to 25 minute lesson on Monday and a 15 to 20
minute lesson the rest of the week. Fridays test could be as little as five minutes depending
upon the level of the class and whether or not the teacher chooses to post and discuss student-
generated sentences from the test.

2. Free the Inner Writer. Model for your students that these sentences need not be realistic.
Whether fiction or non-fiction, whether serious or silly, the point of emphasis is on sentence
construction and spontaneity. Periodically post your own teacher-created sentences that are as
entertaining as they are correct. Be sure to write about your students and yourself in fun (and
even embarrassing) ways while commending your students for being good sports. However,
because young people tend to have difficulty understanding the limits of goof-natured ribbing,
set clear standards about allowing students to write about their classmates.

3. Respect Feelings. Students love to put words in the mouths of their classmates during the
dialogue lessons. We call these quote wars. Here especially teachers need to set standards
for appropriateness and hold discussions about the difference between good-natured ribbing as
opposed to focusing on anothers flaws. When the class is having difficulty respecting
boundaries, try teaching them to use the formatting device of putting a single capital letter
followed by a blank line. My adult diaper supplier went out of business, moaned M______.

4. Have fun with topics. Teach your students to make any given topic work for them. For
example, if the topic is elves but the student wants to write about video games, why not write a
sentence in which an elf is playing the video game of choice? In so doing youll teach your
kids to fearlessly tackle any topic. Few will say, I cant think of anything to write, or I
dont like any of the topics.

5. Use Word Walls. Each weekly Super Sentence reproducible includes a suggestion for a
Word Wall supporting the given sentence concept. Some word walls are meant to stay
posted for a week or two, while its a good idea to leave others up for the entire year. Simply
take a sheet of butcher paper and post in where students can reach it. Experiment with different
ways to introduce the given concept, then invite students to add words as they discover them.
Be sure to regularly revisit each wall to discuss what students have been posting. If you have
dry erase markers and a large window in the classroom, using the glass as a Word Wall
increases student interest. Finally, walls such as the Word Cemetery and Danger Words are of
a more permanent importance, so a little artistic flare is helpful.

2009 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Super Sentences Sampler Page 3 of 8
 5. SUPER SENTENCE Practice: Compound Sentence

Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Satisfying Specimen: The Miami Dolphins are my favorite football team, but I cant
imagine how a porpoise could ever run for a touchdown.

Apt Advice: A compound sentence often combines two sentences with a comma and
joining word such as and, but, so, yet, or because. If you replace the comma and
joining word with a period, you should have two correct sentences.

Now write your own compound sentence using one of the posted topics:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Common Problem: Clauses that cant stand alone. Students need to be sure each part of the compound could be a sentence
by itself were the joining word taken away. Make a list: joining words such as and, so, and or (there are only a few).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. SUPER SENTENCE Test: Compound Sentence

Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Write your own compound sentence using one of the posted topics:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

2009 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Super Sentences Sampler Page 4 of 8
 17. SUPER SENTENCE Practice: Sentence expressing
an OPINION

Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Exquisite Exemplar: I believe it should be legal to chew bubble gum in class because
gum chewing has been shown to improve brain function.

Resplendent Recommendations: Its a good idea to begin your sentence with a

phrase that tells the readers youre expressing an opinion, such as In my opinion . . . , I
think . . . , or I believe. . . . Its also important to tell why you are of that opinion with a
word such as because. Remember to include details, too!

Now write your own opinion sentence using one of the posted topics:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

Word Wall Idea: Synonym pairs and trios such as simple and easy, or rich, wealthy, and loaded

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

17. SUPER SENTENCE Test: Sentence expressing an

OPINION

Name: __________________________________________________ Date: ____________________

Write your own opinion sentence using one of the posted topics:
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________

2009 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Super Sentences Sampler Page 5 of 8
 My Sister the Insect
The sentences below fit together to form a Perfect Paragraph, but theyre all mixed up. Cut
them out and arrange them in the correct order using Paragraph Template #2. Once youre satisfied
with the order, glue them down and color-code as follows: yellow=topic sentence, blue=supporting
sentences (each telling something about an event in your tale), green=detail sentences, and
red=concluding sentence. Warning: One sentence doesnt belong!

I ran screaming into the kitchen, On Tuesday last week I walked into
searching desperately for a can of bug my little sisters room and found a
spray. four-foot tall insect standing on the
bed.

It sounded as if it was saying, Its me,

All I could find, though, was a flimsy
Tabitha, your little sister.
fly swatter.

Its eyes were bulging out and it was Immediately it caught my scent and
rubbing its spike-like claws together in looked right at me!
a menacing way.

My little sisters room has disgusting Just then I found the bug spray, which
pink walls and lots of Barbie posters. tells you how my story ends.

Suddenly the creature came striding

past the fridge and started making
these clucking noises!

Now use the Perfect Paragraph formula to write your own imaginative paragraph about when a
sister, brother, or other family member turned into an insect such as cricket or a flea. Use Paragraph
Template #2, adding more boxes if you need them. Or, create your own template on a large sheet of
paper. Write one complete sentence in each box . Dont forget those vibrant details! Color-code, edit,
revise, and then draft your final copy.

Intermediate Imaginative Paste-up for use with

Template #2

2009 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Super Sentences Sampler Page 6 of 8
Paragraph Template Name: ______________________ Date: ______________
Add more detail
sentences by
drawing additional
boxes!

2009 by Mack Lewis. All Rights Reserved. ReadAloudPlays.com Super Sentences Sampler Page 7 of 8
 My Sister, the Insect Writing Activity
Thanks for downloading this sample activity from Super
Sentences and Perfect Paragraphs. It gives intermediate level
students daily writing practice using a strategy from Super
Sentences and Perfect Paragraphs (2009, Scholastic). If you
like these activities, please consider purchasing the full version
at teacherexpress.scholastic.com. Thanks again!
Writing (60-75 minutes): Imaginative Insect Para-
graph Give students 15 to 20 minutes to unscramble the
paragraph following the instructions on the sheet. Spend about
10 minutes reviewing the appropriate order, discussing why
each sentence fits where it does. (Remember, intelligent
discussion about the paragraph, about why one sentence fits
where another one doesnt, is the heart of the activity). Allow
20 to 30 minutes for students to draft their own paragraph using
a second copy of the template. Write one sentence per box,
using the same formula as the scramble. Share rough drafts aloud, and then allow time to color-code,
edit, and revise, one box at a time, completing a final draft on notebook paper. Prep: print class sets
of paragraph scramble, and two class sets of template.

Answer Key: On Tuesday last week I walked into my little sisters room and found a four-foot tall
insect standing on the bed. Immediately it caught my scent and looked right at me! Its eyes were
bulging out and it was rubbing its spike-like claws together in a menacing way. I ran screaming into
the kitchen, searching desperately for a can of bug spray. All I could find, though, was a flimsy fly
swatter. Suddenly the creature came striding past the fridge and started making these clucking noises!
It sounded as if it was saying, Its me, Tabitha, your little sister. Just then I found the bug spray,
which tells you how my story ends.

Copyright: The original purchaser or designated

representative is licensed to reproduce one class set of this
material per year for use within the original purchasers
classroom assignment(s). For more on copyright, including
how it applies, please visit our website at MackLewis.com. We
sincerely appreciate and thank you for respecting our
copyright.
Please visit our websites. Super Sentences & Perfect
Paragraphs may be purchased at
TeacherExpress.Scholastic.com or via MackLewis.com,
Mackowiecki.com, or ReadAloudPlays.com. A Perfect
Paragraph activity also appears in every set of EZSubPlans.
Please take a gander at these and our other products. Because
were teachers, everything we create is kid-tested and used in
our own classrooms, including everything from Super
Sentences and Perfect Paragraphs!

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