1. VOCABULARY Phrase Clause Independent Clause
Subordinate Clause (Dependent Clause)
Simple
Compound
Complex
Compound-Complex
Fragment
Run-On
Distribute handouts at this time. Instruct students to file in the Language section of their binders. Instruct students that they will be given the definitions throughout the training and that it is their responsibility to record.
CPD, K-12 Literacy, 2012

2. The Basics
A sentence is a group of words that contains a subject (who or what the sentence is about) and a predicate (what the subject is or does) and conveys a complete thought or idea.
Sentences are made up of clauses (and sometimes phrases).
A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb.
A phrase is a group of words with no subject and no verb
Explain to students the basic concept of sentences: Sentences are groups of clauses. As sentences have more clauses and the type of clause varies, the structure changes.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

3. Sentence Structure Subordinating Conjunctions After Although As As if
As long as
As much as
As soon as
As though
Because
Before
Even if
Even though
How If
In order that
Now that
Provided that
Since
So that
Than
That
Though
Unless
Until
When
Whenever
Where
Wherever
Whom
Whomever
Who
Whoever
Whose
Which
Show students the full list of subordinating conjunctions so they may continue writing them on their pink cards.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

4. Flying monkeys make me nervous
Simple Sentences
A simple sentence has one independent clause and end punctuation (Carroll 119).
Flying monkeys make me nervous
Explain to students that a simple sentence is one independent clause with end punctuation. Instruct students to construct a simple sentence at their tables by putting down a white card (independent clause) with a yellow card (end punctuation).
Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes to find the definition of a Simple Sentence.
Give teachers a few minutes to write the definition of a simple sentence and their example.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

5. , : and Compound Sentences I hunt vampires at night
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, internal punctuation and end punctuation (Carroll 120).
Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.
Flying monkeys make me nervous , :
and
I hunt vampires at night
Explain to students that a compound sentence has two more independent clauses and end punctuation. Instruct students to construct a compound sentence at their tables. There are many ways to construct a compound sentence. First, have teachers construct a compound sentence with a coordinating conjunction and a comma.
Give students a few minutes to write the definition of a compound sentence and their example. Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes for additional information and clarification.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

6. ; Compound Sentences I hunt vampires at night
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, internal punctuation and end punctuation (Carroll 121).
In compound sentences, use a semicolon to join closely related independent clauses not joined by a coordinating conjunction.
Flying monkeys make me nervous ;
Explain to students that a compound sentence has two more independent clauses and end punctuation. Instruct students to construct a compound sentence at their tables. There are many ways to construct a compound sentence. Second, have students construct a compound sentence with a semi colon. “The main function of the semicolon is to indicate a pause more strongly than would a comma and more weakly that would be a period.” (Lederer & Shore, 2005, p43).
Give students a few minutes to write their example. Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes for additional information and clarification.
I hunt vampires at night
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

7. Harry did something very brave and very stupid
Compound Sentences
A compound sentence has two or more independent clauses, internal punctuation and end punctuation.
In compound sentences, use a colon to introduce a second independent clause, if the second clause explains the first. Capitalize the first word of the second clause.
Harry did something very brave and very stupid :
He took a great running leap and fastened his arms around the troll’s neck
Explain to students that a compound sentence has two more independent clauses and end punctuation. Instruct students to construct a compound sentence at their tables. There are many ways to construct a compound sentence. Second, have teachers construct a compound sentence with a colon. “…what comes after a colon delivers on the promise set up by what comes before it.” (Lederer & Shore, 2005, p51).
Give students a few minutes to write their example. Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes for additional information and clarification.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

8. Flying monkeys make me nervous
Complex Sentences
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause (Carroll 121).
Form a subordinate clause by adding a subordinating conjunction to the front of an independent clause.
Flying monkeys make me nervous
because
Explain to students that we have only worked with independent clauses. Explain that subordinate clauses are created by adding a subordinating conjunction or a relative pronoun (that, which, whichever, who, whoever, whom, whose, whosever, and whomever) to an independent clause.
Instruct students to copy the relative pronouns into their notes. Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes for additional information and clarification.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

9. , Complex Sentences because I hunt vampires at night
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause.
Form a complex sentence by adding a subordinate clause to the front of an independent clause.
Always use a comma to set off a subordinate clause if it begins a sentence.
Flying monkeys make me nervous ,
because
Instruct students to create a complex sentence that begins with a subordinate clause. The subordinate clause must be followed by a comma before the independent clause.
Give students a few minutes to write their examples down. Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes for additional information and clarification.
I hunt vampires at night
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

10. Complex Sentences because I hunt vampires at night
A complex sentence has one independent clause and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause.
Form a complex sentence by adding a subordinate clause to the end of an independent clause.
Flying monkeys make me nervous
because
I hunt vampires at night
Instruct students to create a complex sentence that ends with a subordinate clause. Point out that there is no comma used between the independent and subordinate clauses.
Give students a few minutes to write their examples down. Ask students to refer to their GRAMMAR RULES notes for additional information and clarification.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

11. Compound-Complex Sentences
A compound- complex sentence has two or more independent clauses and at least one subordinate (dependent) clause.
Form a complex sentence by adding two independent clauses to the end of an dependent clause. ,
because
Princess Penelope kisses a lot of frogs
flying monkeys make her nervous ,
and
Explain to students that we have been building in complexity, starting with simple sentences. Compound-complex sentences are a combination of compound sentences and complex sentences. The rules of punctuation do not change because the sentence has gotten longer.
Give students a few minutes to craft a compound-complex sentence with a partner.
she hunts vampires at night
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012

12. Princess Penelope kisses a lot of frogs
Fragments and Run-ons
A fragment is a sentence that does not have an independent clause.
Run-ons, comma splices and fused sentences are sentences that are not correctly punctuated between the independent clauses.
because
Princess Penelope kisses a lot of frogs
Fragments are groups of words that do not have an independent clause. When students construct fragments, they primarily have one very long subordinate clause.
Show students how fragments are created.
CPD K-12 Literacy, June 2012