SENTENCE FLUENCY

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SENTENCE FLUENCY

• Ill always take a plain sentence thats clear
  over a pretty one that is unintelligible.
  Patricia OConnor (1999)

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Read-Arounds

• Get into groups of 3 or 4
• Read the passage silently
• Choose who will read first, second,etc.
• The first reader begins the passage but can stop
  at any time, and the second reader must
  immediately start, etc.
• Continue reading the passage at least 2-3 times.
• Will someone share?

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What Is Sentence Fluency?

• Easy rhythm and flow
• One sentence glides into another
• Variety in length
• Variety in structure
• Delightful to read/hear
• Easy to read with expression
• Easy to follow

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Sentence Fluency in The Writing Process
Prewriting
Drafting
Publishing
Sentence Fluency
Sharing
Editing
Revising
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Two Faces of Sentence Fluency

• Creative and
• Personal
• Sentences are easy to read
• Sentence beginnings are varied and purposeful
• Play style short and long sentences
• Fragments used for emphais

• Informational
• Sentences are clear, direct, concise
• Direct subject-verb structure dominates
• Sentences are grammatical and complete
• More technical the content, the shorter the
  sentences

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Focused Lessons forSentence Fluency

• When you teach fluency, youre teaching more
  than grammar. Youre teaching rhythm and grace.
  Its the difference between dancing by placing
  your feet in the appropriate markings on the
  floor and just letting your body move to the
  music. Once theyre moving to the music, theyve
  got it.

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Focused Lessons forSentence Fluency

• Teach the concept.
• Model fluency through poetry or music.
• Bring on the poetry.
• Perform it.
• Dont forget good business writing.

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Teaching Ideas forSentence Fluency

• Combining Sentences
• Compelling Sentences
• The Shadow Test

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Teaching Ideas forSentence Fluency

• Word Tallies
• Read Arounds
• Music
• Beginning Sentences
• Sample Book Lesson

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Scoring for the TraitSentence Fluency

• A Rescue
• A Sunflower Seed
• Student Writing

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Troubleshooting forSentence Fluency

• Problem 1
• Short, Choppy Sentences Break the Text up into
  Bite-Sized Pieces

• Sentence Combining
• Read good fluency
• Reading Aloud
• Drama or Choral Reading

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Troubleshooting forSentence Fluency

• Problem 2
• All sentences Begin the Same WayBoring!

• Ask students to list their beginnings,
• Start with one simple sentence, then rework it.
• Variation

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Troubleshooting forSentence Fluency

• Problem 3
• Endless Connectives Turn the Whole Paper into One
  Monstrous Sentence that Chokes to Death Any
  Sense of Meaning

• Ask students to write three paragraphs with no
  ands or buts at all.
• Give students writing with all punctuation and
  capital letters removed.

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Tips for SuccessFor Sentence Fluency

• Read Aloud.
• Combine.
• Keep It Crisp.
• Check out those first four words.
• Dont get breathless.
• Read other peoples writing aloud.

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Something to Remember About Teaching Sentence
Fluency

• So how are children expected to develop a sense
  of rhythm or a wide vocabulary? By being read to,
  alive, a lot!! Mem Fox,1993