Chapter Five has been the most useful Benjamin text I’ve
read thus far. I am constantly trying to teach students how to identify key
action words in Regents questions, how students can rewrite/ reword questions
and answers, and how to use new vocabulary in their work. By giving examples of
rewording/ writing using both the methodical and metaphorical sentence, I think
my students will better understand how simple sentences can and should be structured.
I found the sentence writing steps in this chapter to be very coherent, basic,
and applicable across all age/ grade ranges.
Next to
the word wall in my classroom, I have added the 50 Earth Science and 50 Physics
verbs. For optional extra credit each week, students choose five of the terms
and write full sentences using the steps given. These steps are posted in the
classroom as well, including: each sentence must have at least 25 words, the
sentence must be powered by an action
word (examples given), there must be a synonym or defining phrase, and details
and specifics should be provided. When students create an exemplary sentence
using one of the verbs plus a new vocabulary term, they rewrite the sentence on
colorful paper and post it above the word wall in the classroom. So far,
students have taken advantage of this extra credit and begun to write simple sentences
with the vocabulary, and seem proud when they are able to post their work
inside the classroom. I am tracking quiz and homework results of students who
have completed the extra credit to see if their grades have improved.
It's great that you're incorporating this knowledge in real-time! :) I would also consider asking them to provide/create a visual to accompany their sentences. Remember working with multimodalities helps reinforce the information.
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