1. Sentence Fluency

2. What is sentence fluency? We all know what a sentence is. Right? Fluency is when something moves with smoothness and ease. Sentence+Fluency= Sentences that flow smoothly together.

3. Variety is good! Variety – different kinds and numbers of things. Variety in sentence fluency is a number of different lengths, beginnings, and kinds of sentences.

4. Lengths Use different sentence lengths. long and stretchy sentences A long time ago, at Christmas time, every year my whole family would go all the way down to Colorado to go to aunt Angie’s house. short and snappy sentences Every Christmas we had a great time.

5. Sentence Beginnings Start sentences with a variety of beginnings I am really happy to be your teacher. I hope we have fun this year. I will teach you many new things. I am happy you are in my class. How would you change this paragraph? I am thrilled to be your teacher. This year will be full of fun and learning. It is exciting to have you in my class.

6. Kinds of Sentences There are different kinds of sentences. simple – a complete thought with a subject and predicate A cow eats grass. compound – two or more simple sentences The cow eats grass, and the farmer milks it. declarative – statement Cows and dogs don’t get along. interrogatives – question Do cows live in the city? exclamatory - exclamation I am so excited about seeing a cow! imperative – command Don’t feed the cows in this pasture.

7. Sentence Fluency Read your writing aloud and listen to it’s rhythm. Do you use a variety of sentence lengths? Do you use different sentence beginnings? Are there different kinds of sentences in your writing? As you flow down the river of your writing, is it choppy and rough or does it flow in a natural rhythm?

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