1. Sentence starters and cloze paragraphs
Fast! Easy to learn!
High impact!
Sentence starters and cloze paragraphs
For everyone!
Easy to teach!

2. Meow, what are we doing. Looks fun. Not too hard. Good for the kids
Meow, what are we doing? Looks fun. Not too hard. Good for the kids. Is there pizza? Cat cat cat!
Learning Goals:
I can...
Understand the concept of sentence starters and close paragraphs, as well as where, when and how to use them.
Create sentence starters or cloze paragraphs to support writing in a lesson.

3. Warm up: Brainstorm!
Read the ACT writing prompt, and write the first sentence of a response.
On your graphic organizer, note your feelings as you started to respond to the prompt. Then, brainstorm about challenges it might present to different groups of students.
Materials: ACT writing prompt

5. How different would it be if the assignment included the following starters?
The primary differences between these three perspectives on affordable housing are that _________________.
My opinion is that ______________________ because _______________.
I (agree / disagree) with perspective #____ because _________________________.

6. Alternate warm up: Summarize the video
After watching the video, write a concise summary of the content. Then, analyze the disconnect between the stereotypical tropes of the horror genre and the visuals in the video.

8. How different would it be if the assignment included the following starters?
In the video, the singers are telling a story about ________________________________. Meanwhile, on stage, people are ________________________________________.
This type of story would typically be ________________________. However, the dancing and singing are _______________________________. The impact is ________________ because ___________________.

9. So … What are these things anyway?
Sentence starters are sentence stems or beginnings that give writers a guide and help them produce complete, grammatically accurate sentences.
Cloze paragraphs are extended frames (think of a more comprehensible Mad Libs) that help students both organize and write. These generally provide a higher level of scaffolding than either graphic organizers or sentence starters.

10. Examples:
Sentence starter: I think (Romeo / Juliet / Friar Lawrence) was most at fault because …
Cloze paragraph: XxPKv30l4mh6ZUeiHfNaw1bSfkIJ2k2mA6W7 YBS8/edit?usp=sharing

11. Who are these strategies good for?
Short answer: Everyone!
For English Language Learners:
Accessability
Maintain high rigor
For students with special needs
Support focus and avoid confusion
For high performing students and reluctant writers
Reduce stress and clarify expectations
For teachers
Help ensure that directions are clear

12. Why is this worth my time? There are so many strategies and I’m so busy!
Supported by research (including the SIOP model of sheltered instruction)
Makes expectations / content more comprehensible
Keeps cognitive expectations high and supports literacy development
Easy / fast to create
High impact
No new skills or technology needed!
Free!
I (would / would not) try this because ...

13. When should I use these?
Short answer: Almost any time writing is involved! Quick writes, daily assignments, exams …
Some cautions from Jan Echaverria, author of The SIOP model:
Differentiate frames for a student’s readiness level / linguistic level
Avoid “artificial” use (they don’t have to be used every time a student talks, for example…)
Overuse of a single starter can diminish it’s value. Once it is learned, move on.

14. The basics seem easy… So here are some tips / suggestions:
Provide sentence starters / frames as an option, not a mandate.
Use straightforward, direct language in frames / starters.
Use for class discussions. Stems can help students overcome fear of talking in Socratic Seminars.
Don’t stress about perfection! These are just a point of entry into the assignment.
Differentiate, differentiate!
Create on the spot when a student is struggling.

15. Questions? Thoughts? Concerns?

16. Differentiation point!
Option A: I want to see more examples of sentence starters and practice creating them.
Option B: I already know how to create sentence starters and cloze paragraphs, but I would like help creating them for specific assignments.

17. Examples: Let’s write sentence starters for the following questions and assignments...
Why is the first amendment important?
Compare and contrast Wisconsin and Illinois.
Describe an important moment in your childhood.
Write a professional .
Are you for or against the death penalty? Provide evidence to support your opinion.

18. Let’s brainstorm a few together!
More practice...
Could someone please suggest an assignment that we could use as an example?
Let’s brainstorm a few together!

19. Create sentence starter and cloze paragraph options.
Time to practice!
Choose an assignment you hope to teach next year that involves writing or discussion.
Create sentence starter and cloze paragraph options.

20. Feedback Please take a moment to respond to the following survey:
Link to survey