Download Table of Contents - Brevard County Schools

What do you notice?
Where is the verb?
What makes this sentence
Masterfully superb?
What do you notice?
See what its parts do.
Which words make this sentence
Appeal to you?
Look at the sentence;
Observe its construction.
Consider each word
And study its function.
Look closely to see
How the writer places
Each of the words,
The clauses and phrases.
Now imitate the pattern
With your words, one by one;
And build your own sentence.
Now wasn’t that fun?
~ Ma rg e Blo o m ~
Ta b le o f Co n te n ts
Rationale ~ Implementation of Sentence Imitation
4
Sentence Types
5
Parts of Speech
6-8
Common Core State Standards ~ Conventions
9-11
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
12-17
A Walk in the Dessert by Rebecca L. Johnson
18-22
Animals Come Home to Our National Parks by Time for Kids
23-27
The Astronaut and the Onion by Ann Cameron
28-32
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
33-37
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
38-42
Mighty Jackie, The Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss
43-47
My Diary, From Here to There by Amanda Irma Perez
48-52
Stealing Beauty by Time for Kids
53-57
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer
58-62
Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts
63-67
Bobby Versus Girls by Lisa Yee
68-72
Roadrunner’s Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
73-77
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
78-82
Kid Reporter at Work by Time for Kids
83-87
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
88-92
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
93-97
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 2
Goonie Bird Green by Lois Lowry
98-102
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague
103-107
The Blind Hunter by Kristina Rodanas
108-112
The Power of Oil by Time for Kids
113-117
Adelina’s Whales by Richard Sobol
118-122
At Home I the Coral Reef by Katy Muzik
123-127
The Hundred Day Secret by Tracy Barrett
128-132
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
133-138
Ranita, the Frog Princess by Carmen Agra Deedy
139-143
Exploring the Undersea Territory by Time for Kids
144-148
Me and Uncle Romie Claire Hartfield
149-153
Wild Horses by Cris Peterson
154-158
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
159-163
The Gold Rush Game by William F. Wu
164-168
The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden
169-173
Meet a Bone-ified Explorer by Time for Kids
174-178
My Brothers’ Flying Machine by Jane Yolen
179-183
The Life and Times of the Ant by Charles Micucci
184-188
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary by Candace Fleming
189-193
Acknowledgements
194
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 3
De ve lo p in g S e n te n c e Im ita tio n
Ra tio n a le
• This book was designed to provide quick daily lessons in grammar, conventions,
and craft by noticing sentence patterns from literature and imitating those
patterns in writing.
• Each lesson works in conjunction with daily grammar lessons in the reading
series. For example, Day 1 of Unit 1 may teach subjects and predicates.
Therefore this book’s first lesson would also point out subjects and predicates. If
a lesson was about semicolons, then the mentor sentence used in this book
would be one that showcases semicolons.
• For Week 6, the review week, popular chapter books were used, pulling
sentences to review the prior five weeks of lessons in that unit.
• Regardless of whether you use the reading series or not, the sentences reflect
the Common Core State Standards in Language (conventions, vocabulary).
• Please note – There is no need to “parse” each sentence down to its individual
parts of speech. The “What Do You Notice” section of each page does provide a
more extensive list of notable phrases, clauses, parts of speech, skills, etc. but
does so in order to encompass all that might be noticed. The point of “noticing”
each sentence is to see how grammar and conventions are used.
Implementing Sentence Imitation
1. Put the sentence from literature on the doc cam (top sentence of the page).
2. Ask the students, “What do you notice about the sentence?”
3. Students may notice everything from conventions, grammar, skills, and tone, to
craft.
4. Since each sentence follows the reading series and the skills correspond to the
ones being taught in the series, you might lead your students to notice the skill
that you want them to imitate.
5. After students have pointed out what they have noticed, show the “imitation”
sentence (either the one provided for you in this book or one of your own) and
ask them, “What do you notice about this sentence?”
6. Finally, ask the students to write their own sentence based on this pattern.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 4
Sentence Types
Simple
Compound
1 Independent clause
Independent clause
+
Coordinating conjunction
+
Independent clause
Maurice swims in the summer.
Maurice and Billy swim at the pool in the
summer.
Yesterday after school, Maurice and Billy
swam and played in the pool.
Maurice took skiing lessons, but Billy took
swimming lessons.
OR
Independent clause
+
; (semicolon)
+
Independent clause
Maurice took skiing lessons; Billy took
swimming lessons.
Complex
Compound-Complex
Dependent clause,+
Independent clause
Independent clause,+
Dependent clause,+
Coordinating conjunction (or ;)+
Independent clause
When Maurice took skiing lessons, Tom
took swimming lessons.
Independent Clause
OR
Independent clause,+
Dependent clause
OR
Split independent clause, +
Dependent clause,+
Split independent clause
Dependent
clause
Maurice worked toward the goal that he
formulated as a child, and
he learned to ski.
Independent
Clause
Maurice, who longed to ski, took lessons.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 5
Parts of Speech
Clause – a syntactic construction, containing a subject and predicate, forming part of a
sentence or constituting a whole simple sentence.
Dependent Clause (S u b o rd in a te Cla u s e s )
No u n Cla u s e – a subordinate clause that functions as a noun and
has a subject and verb and follows one of the
words in the chart below:
how, however
where, whether
whom, whomever
that
which, whichever
whose
what, whether
who, whoever
why, when
who
as
after
Adjective Clause – a subordinate clause that functions as an
adjective and has a subject and verb that
follows one of the relative pronouns in the
chart below:
whose
whom
which
that
when
where
Adverb Clause – a subordinate clause that functions as an adverb
and has a subject and verb and follows one of
subordinating conjunctions in the chart below
(these are used most often - AAAWWWUBBIS):
although when whenever
while until because if since
Phrase - a sequence of two or more words that does not contain a finite verb or a
subject (e.g. Prepositional phrase -After many months and many wrinkled papers, …)
Fu n c tio n s o f a No u n
1. subject
2. direct object
3. indirect object
4. predicate nominative
5. object of the preposition
6. appositive
7. object compliment
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 6
P ro n o u n s
Subjective (Nominative)
I
he
she
it
we
you
they
who
Demonstrative
this
Objective
me
him
her
it
us
you
them
whom
that
Possessive
my, mine
his
her, hers
its
our, ours
your, yours
their, theirs
whose
these
those
Indefinite
another
anybody
anyone
anything
each
everybody
Singular
everyone
everything
neither
nobody
no one
nothing
other
one
somebody
someone
something
Plural
both
few
many
ones
others
several
Either
all
any
most
none
some
Reflexive
Singular
myself
yourself
himself, herself, itself
Relative
who
whose
whom
Developing Sentence Imitation
Plural
ourselves
yourselves
themselves
which
that
when
where
Page 7
Verbs
*
*
*
Linking Verbs
am
are
Helping Verbs
am
are
have
had
can
could
be
is
has
may
been
was
have
might
being
were
did
must
is
be
do
shall
being
does
should
was
were
been
will
would
The verbs in this row may act as linking verbs (stand alone) or as helping verbs (with
another verb).
Verbals
Gerund – verb acting as a noun (Skiing offers John a sense of freedom.)
Infinitive – to + verb (To exercise regularly promotes wellness.)
Participle – verb acting as an adjective (Driving wildly, Daren sped down the road.)
Conjunctions
Coordinating - FANBOYS – for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so
Subordinating - AAAWWWUBBIS – as, although, after, when, whenever, while,
until, because, before, if, since
Coorelative - both…and, not only…but also, either…or, neither…nor, not…but,
whether…or
Prepositions
Note – prepositional phrases always have an object (pronoun, noun) of the preposition
(e.g. Aboard the bus, we took our seats.)
aboard
about
above
across
after
against
along
amid
around
as
at
before
behind
below
beneath
beside
besides
between
but (except)
by
concerning
down
Developing Sentence Imitation
during
except
for
from
in
inside
into
near
of
off
on
onto
out
outside
over
past
since
through
till
to
toward
under
underneath
until
unto
up
upon
with
within
Page 8
Co m m o n Co re S ta te S ta n d a rd s
~ Co n ve n tio n s ~
S e c o n d g ra de – Re d
Th ird g ra d e – Re d , Gre e n
Fo u rth Gra d e – Re d , Gre e n , Blue
No u n s
•
•
•
•
•
•
Plural (orally by adding /s/ or /es/)
Common, proper, possessive
Noun ~ verb agreement
Collective nouns (e.g. group)
Irregular plural nouns
Abstract nouns (e.g. childhood)
P ro n o u n s
•
•
•
•
Personal (I, we, you, he she, it, they), possessive (his, hers, my, theirs, ours,
yours, mine), indefinite (some, somebody, anybody, nobody…)
Reflexive pronouns (myself, ourselves…)
Relative pronouns (who, whose, whom, which, that)
Pronoun ~ antecedent agreement
Verbs
•
•
•
Tenses – past, present, future
Irregular verbs (e.g. sat, hid, told)
Subject ~ verb agreement
Adjectives
• Comparative
• Superlative
• Order according to conventional patterns (e.g. a small red bag instead of a red
small bag)
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 9
Adverbs
• Comparative (e.g. quicker, faster,…)
• Superlative (e.g. quickest, fastest, …)
Conjunctions
• Coordinating (FANBOYS - for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so)
• Subordinating (AAAWWWUBBIS – as, although, after, when, whenever, while,
until, because, before, if, since)
Determiners
• Articles (an, a, the)
• Demonstratives (this, that, these, those, none, neither)
Prepositions
• Words
• Phrases
Modal Auxiliaries
• (e.g. can, may, must)
Types of Sentences
• Declarative
• Interrogative
• Imperative
• Exclamatory
•
•
•
Simple
Complex
Compound
Spelling
• Spell simple words phonetically
• Spelling patterns and generalizations
• Conventional spelling for high-frequency words
• Suffixes added to base words
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 10
Punctuation
• Ending punctuation
• Dates
• Series of commas
• Greetings, closing of letters
• Addresses
• Quotation marks in dialogue
• Before a coordinating conjunction in a compound sentence
• Choose for effect
• Apostrophes
o Contractions
o Possessives
Capitalizations
• First word in a sentence
• Pronoun “I”
• Dates
• Names of people
• Holidays
• Product names
• Geographic names
• Appropriate words in a title
Vocabulary
• Relate words to their opposites (antonyms)
• Use affixes and inflections
• Shades of meaning among verbs (e.g. look, peek, glance, stare, glare, …)
• Adverb intensity (e.g. large, gigantic)
• Closely related adjectives and adverbs
• Degrees of mind (e.g. knew, believed, suspected, heard, wondered)
• Distinguish literal and nonliteral meanings of words and phrases in context (e.g.
take steps)
• Similes
• Metaphors
• Adages/Proverbs (two wrongs don’t make a right, a watched pot never boils)
• Synonyms
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 11
His mom had made him his favorite sandwich salami - and he knew he hadn’t forgotten it.
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
What do you notice?
•
Mom is the subject, and the verb is had made in the first independent clause.
•
He is the subject of the second independent clause and knew is the verb.
•
Mom is not capitalized because it is not used as a name.
•
Hyphens are used to set out a word for emphasis.
•
Hadn’t is a contraction for had not.
•
This is an example of a statement (declarative).
•
Common nouns: mom, sandwich, salami
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
He is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
Him is an objective pronoun.
•
This is a compound complex sentence (two independent clauses joined by the
conjunction and, and a dependent clause, (that, which is understood), (that) he
hadn’t forgotten it).
•
The hyphen takes the place of a comma.
Possible Teacher Imitation
His brother had made him his favorite snack cookies - and he knew he hadn’t eaten them.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 12
“Awww,” grumbled all the students together.
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
What do you notice?
•
The onomatopoeia is in quotes.
•
The comma is always inside the quote.
•
Grumbled is a past tense verb.
•
Students is a common noun and the subject of this sentence.
•
This is an example of a statement (declarative).
Possible Teacher Imitation
“Shhh,” whispered all the girls together.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 13
Ramon sighed deeply. His chances of solving
this case were getting slimmer and slimmer.
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
What do you notice?
•
Two simple sentences with beginning words capitalized and periods as ending
punctuation marks.
•
His is a singular, possessive pronoun that takes the place of the name Ramon.
•
Ramon is the subject in the first sentence.
•
Sighed is the simple verb in the first sentence.
•
Chances is the simple subject. The complete subject is His chances of solving
this case.
•
The simple verb is were getting.
•
Deeply is an adverb.
•
Slimmer is an adjective modifying the word chances.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Billy laughed loudly. His chances of going home
were getting better and better.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 14
Immediately, he noticed that there were ink
markings on the papers.
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
What do you notice?
•
The sentence begins with an adverb…immediately,
•
He is the subject and is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
Noticed is the verb.
•
That is a demonstrative pronoun.
•
On the papers is the prepositional phrase.
•
Common nouns – markings, papers.
•
Immediately is an adverb.
•
This is a complex sentence, that there were ink markings on the papers is a
dependent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Suddenly, she noticed that there were chocolate
pieces on the floor.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 15
“You stole my lunch!” Ramon scolded the cat,
but he was smiling.
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
What do you notice?
•
The quotation marks are outside the exclamation mark.
•
Ramon really wasn’t mad because he was smiling.
•
The quotation is followed by a compound sentence.
•
The compound sentence is connected with a conjunction, but.
•
A comma along with a conjunction separates each independent clause, Ramon
scolded the cat / He was smiling.
•
Common nouns - lunch, cat
•
Proper noun - Ramon
•
Exclamatory sentence followed by a declarative sentence (statement).
Possible Teacher Imitation
“You snatched my purse!” Sally scolded the puppy,
but she was laughing.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 16
In the cafeteria, while he was eating the soggy
tuna fish sandwich he had bought, Ramon wrote
again in his notebook.
The Mystery of the Missing Lunch by Johanna Hurwitz
What do you notice?
•
The sentence begins with a prepositional phrase In the cafeteria,
•
A subordinating conjunction begins the dependent clause, while he was eating
the soggy tuna fish sandwich
•
(that - an understood relative pronoun) he had bought is also a dependent clause
•
Commas separate clauses.
•
Soggy is an adjective.
•
Common nouns - cafeteria, tuna fish sandwich, notebook
•
Proper nouns - Ramon
•
The subject is Ramon and the verb is wrote in the independent clause.
•
In the cafeteria is the prepositional phrase.
•
This is a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In the classroom, while she was taking a test she
had studied, Susan wrote again in the test booklet.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 17
It shuffles slowly along and stops often to rest.
A Walk in the Desert by Rebecca L. Johnson
What do you notice?
•
Compound verbs - shuffles , stops
•
Simple predicates (present tense verbs): shuffles / stops
•
It is the subject and is also a singular subjective pronoun.
•
Slowly and often are adverbs that describe the verbs shuffles and stops.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It hops happily along, and scoots often to race.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 18
Birds, lizards, and other daytime animals retreat
to snug nests and safe hiding places.
A Walk in the Desert by Rebecca L. Johnson
What do you notice?
•
Compound subject - birds, lizards, animals
•
The verb is retreat and is plural because the subjects are plural.
•
Commas separate each subject because there are more than two.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
Adjectives: daytime, snug, safe hiding
•
Common nouns: birds, lizards, animals, nests, places
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Dogs, cats, and other small animals scamper to safe
dwellings and warm cozy beds.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 19
The kangaroo rat and the kit fox are nocturnal.
A Walk in the Desert by Rebecca L. Johnson
What do you notice?
•
Compound subject - kangaroo rat, kit fox
•
The plural verb are is used because there is a compound subject.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
Are is a linking verb.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The attentive boy and the studious girl are smart.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 20
Their tough, scaly skin seals water inside their
bodies and keeps them from drying out.
A Walk in the Desert by Rebecca L. Johnson
What do you notice?
•
Compound verbs - seals, keeps
•
The subject is skin.
•
Tough and scaly are adjectives.
•
Their is a possessive pronoun.
•
Them is an objective pronoun.
•
Inside their bodies, from drying out are prepositional phrases.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
It is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Their hard, rigid shell protects their bodies and
keeps them from being attacked.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 21
A biome’s climate, soil, plants, and animals are
all connected this way.
A Walk in the Desert by Rebecca L. Johnson
What do you notice?
•
Compound subject - climate, soil, plants, animals
•
The plural verb are is used because there is a plural subject.
•
Commas separate each subject.
•
Biome’s has an apostrophe because of ownership (possessive noun).
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
The verb is are connected.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
A teacher’s papers, pencils, books, and iPad are all
connected this way.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 22
It’s all part of the natural balance - and that’s
exactly what wildlife researchers like to see.
Animals Come Home to Our National Parks by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Compound complex sentence - two independent clauses joined by the
conjunction and, and a dependent clause - what wildlife researchers like to see
•
The independent clauses are joined by a hyphen (instead of a comma) and the
conjunction and
•
It’s is a contraction for It is.
•
That’s is a contraction for that is.
•
It is the subject of the first independent clause and that is the subject of the
second independent clause.
•
Is is the verb in both clauses.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It’s all part of the jury selection - and that’s exactly
what the justice system likes to see.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 23
It was a cold morning in January; twenty-eight
elk had finally completed a long journey.
Adapted from Animals Come Home to Our National Parks by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound sentence: two independent clauses.
•
The independent clauses are joined by a semi-colon instead of a comma and a
conjunction.
•
January is capitalized because it’s a proper noun.
•
It is the subject of the first independent clause and was is the verb.
•
Elk is the subject of the second independent clause and had completed is the
verb.
•
Finally is the adverb that describes the verb.
•
Twenty-eight is hyphenated.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It was a sweltering day in June: thirty-seven children
had finally completed a long swim.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 24
They had traveled 2,500 miles by truck from Elk
Island National Park in Canada to the Great
Smoky Mountains National Park in North
Carolina.
Animals Come Home to Our National Parks by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Capitalized names of places (proper nouns) - Elk Island National Park and Great
Smoky Mountains National Park
•
Capitalized name of country (Canada) and name of state (North Carolina).
•
They is the subject.
•
Had traveled is the verb.
•
Numbers are written out in numerical form (2,500) because they are larger than a
single digit number (however, numbers can be written out as a word in order to
maintain consistency and must be written out as a word if it starts a sentence).
•
Prepositional phrases: by truck, from Elk, in Canada, to the Great Smoky
Mountains National Park, in North Carolina
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
They had traveled 1,000 miles by car from Taylor
Park in Cocoa to Forest Hill Park in Virginia.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 25
When settlers came in the 1800s, they hunted
these wild animals.
Animals Come Home to Our National Parks by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Complex sentence - dependent clause (When settlers came in the 1800s) with
an independent clause (they hunted these wild animals)
•
The dependent clause and the independent clause is joined with a comma.
•
The decade 1800s does not have an apostrophe. An apostrophe is used when a
portion of the number is missing i.e. ‘80s, ‘90s.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBISS).
•
They is the subject and a pronoun referring to settlers (antecedent).
•
Hunted is the verb.
•
Common nouns - settlers, animals
•
Adjective - wild
Possible Teacher Imitation
When students graduated in the 1900s, they studied
these various subjects.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 26
Now Yellowstone is howling with life once again,
and nature is taking its course.
Animals Come Home to Our National Parks by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Compound sentence: two independent clauses joined by the conjunction and
•
Yellowstone is capitalized because it’s a proper noun.
•
Yellowstone is the subject of the first independent clause and is howling is the
verb.
•
Nature is the subject of the second independent clause and is taking is the verb.
•
Its is a possessive pronoun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Now Marine World is clamoring with sea life once
again, and nature is taking its course.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 27
She smiled at me, and I smiled back.
The Astronaut and the Onion by Ann Cameron
What do you notice?
•
Compound sentence - two independent clauses (She smiled at me, I smiled
back)
•
The two independent clauses are joined with a comma and a conjunction (and).
•
She is the subject of the first clause, and I is the subject of the second clause.
•
Smiled is the verb of the first clause and second clause.
•
Me is the object pronoun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He frowned at me, and I frowned back.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 28
If I opened my eyes, I would see the store
manager and all the broken jars.
The Astronaut and the Onion by Ann Cameron
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence - a dependent clause (If I opened my eyes) and an
independent clause (I would see the store manager and all the broken jars)
•
The two clauses are joined with a comma.
•
Opened is the verb of the dependent clause.
•
I is the subject of both clauses.
•
Would see is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The common nouns are eyes, manager, and jars.
•
If is the subordinating conjunction in the dependent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
If I closed my mouth, I would taste the sweet
watermelon and all the crunchy seeds.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 29
She had brown eyes with a sparkle in them,
and her hair was in shiny black ringlets.
The Astronaut and the Onion by Ann Cameron
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound sentence - two independent clauses (She had brown eyes
with a sparkle in them, Her hair was in shiny black ringlets)
•
The two clauses are joined with a comma and the conjunction and.
•
She is the subject of the first clause, and hair is the subject of the second clause.
•
Had is the verb in the first clause, and was is the verb in the second clause.
•
Common nouns - eyes, hair, ringlets
•
Adjectives - brown, shiny, black
•
Prepositional phrases - with a sparkle in them, in shiny black ringlets
Possible Teacher Imitation
She had gray eyes with a dullness in them, and her
hair was in droopy oily strings.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 30
Maybe the people in line behind us thought Dr.
Street and I were mother and daughter having a
serious conversation because they left some
space around us.
The Astronaut and the Onion by Ann Cameron
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause (Maybe the people in line
behind us thought) and two dependent clauses- (that) Dr. Street and I were
mother and daughter having a conversation and because they left some space
around us.
•
People is the subject. and thought is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The common nouns are people, line, mother, daughter, conversation, and space.
•
The adjective is serious.
•
The prepositional phrases are in line, behind us, and around us.
•
The participial phrase is having serious conversation.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Maybe the people in line behind us thought Mrs.
Smith and I were teacher and student having a
serious discussion, because they listened intently.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 31
To pass the time, I started tossing my onion
from hand to hand.
The Astronaut and the Onion by Ann Cameron
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple sentence - an independent clause (I started tossing my onion
from hand to hand) that begins with an infinitive phrase (to pass the time).
•
A comma separates the infinitive phrase from the independent clause.
•
I is the subject.
•
Started is the verb.
•
The prepositional phrase are from hand and to hand
Possible Teacher Imitation
To pass the time, I started throwing my ball from
base to base.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 32
It drifted downstream, closer and closer, until
finally it bumped up against the dock.
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
What do you notice?
•
It is the subject and drifted is the verb of the independent clause.
•
Closer and closer is set out with commas and acts as an interrupter (adverb
phrase) describing where it drifted.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause (It drifted downstream,
closer and closer) with a dependent clause (until finally it bumped up against the
dock).
•
Until is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS).
Possible Teacher Imitation
It stomped uphill, louder and louder, until finally it
dropped out of sight.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 33
I must have fallen asleep because I was
awakened by loud chirping and chattering.
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
What do you notice?
•
I is the subject.
•
Have fallen is the verb.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause (I must have fallen
asleep) and a dependent clause (because I was awakened by loud chirping and
chattering).
•
Because is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS).
•
Chirping and chattering is the parallel object of the preposition by.
•
A comma separates the independent clause from the dependent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I must have been wide awake because I was
surprised by loud honking and ringing.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 34
“How did you know…?” I started.
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
What do you notice?
•
You is the subject of the quote.
•
Did know is the verb of the quote.
•
I started is a “tag.”
•
The ellipsis indicates that the person talking trailed off instead of coming to an
abrupt end to what was said.
•
Quotation marks go outside what is spoken and after the ending punctuation
mark.
•
A period ends the tag, which is also a complete sentence with a subject (I) and a
verb (started).
•
The quote ends with a question mark (interrogative).
Possible Teacher Imitation
“What did you see…?” I asked.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 35
The birds kept us company the whole time,
soaring, swooping, singing.
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
What do you notice?
•
Birds is the subject.
•
Kept is the verb.
•
Soaring, swooping, singing are participles (-ing verbs) that evoke action.
•
Commas are used between the participles.
•
The writer purposefully chose not to add and before the last participle, so as not
to break the momentum of the participles.
•
A comma is used before the list of participles, although a dash could also be
used here.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The dogs kept us company the whole time, barking,
running, howling.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 36
I felt tears starting again, but I blinked hard and
looked out the window.
The Raft by Jim LaMarche
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound sentence: two dependent clauses joined with a comma and
the conjunction but.
•
The subject of the first clause is I and the verb is felt; the subject of the second
clause is I and the verb is compound - blinked, looked.
•
The prepositional phrase is out the window.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I felt laughter starting again, but I stopped and gazed
out the window.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 37
I looked puzzled.
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
from page 29
What do you notice?
•
I is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
Looked is a past tense verb and the predicate.
•
Puzzled is an adjective.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She sat quietly.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 38
This particular evening, I stationed myself
on Toby’s stomach.
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
from page 37
What do you notice?
•
I is a subjective pronoun and the subject of the independent clause.
•
Stationed is the past tense verb (predicate).
•
Myself is a reflexive pronoun.
•
On Toby’s stomach is a prepositional phrase.
•
Toby’s is a possessive proper noun.
•
This is a demonstrative pronoun.
•
Particular is an adjective.
•
Evening is a singular noun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
This peculiar evening, I plopped myself in my
teacher’s chair.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 39
I put my paws around his throat.
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
from page 46
What do you notice?
•
I is a subject pronoun.
•
Put is a past tense verb. (predicate)
•
My is a possessive pronoun.
•
Paws is a common plural noun.
•
Around his throat is a prepositional phrase.
•
This is a simple declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She placed her lunchbox on her desk.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 40
The next morning, I was awakened by a
scream.
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
from page 53
What do you notice?
•
I is the subjective pronoun.
•
Was awakened is the verb. (predicate)
•
By a scream is a prepositional phrase.
•
The is an article.
•
Next is an adjective.
•
Morning is a noun.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
That afternoon, I feel asleep on the soft, plush
leather couch.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 41
The whole family rushed through the doors.
Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe
from page 37
What do you notice?
•
Family is a noun and the subject of this sentence.
•
Rushed is the past tense verb. (predicate)
•
Through the doors is a prepositional phrase.
•
The is an article.
•
Whole is an adjective that describes the family.
•
Doors is a plural common noun.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The little baby crawled through the house.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 42
She ran bases; she swung the bat.
Adapted from Mighty Jackie The Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss
What do you notice?
•
She is a singular subject pronoun. It takes the place of the proper noun Jackie
and is the subject of both independent clauses.
•
Ran is a past tense verb of the first clause and swung is the past tense verb of
the second clause.
•
The word bases is a common plural noun and a direct object of the verb ran.
•
The is an article.
•
Bat is a singular, common noun.
•
A semicolon is used to link (in a single sentence) two independent clauses that
are closely related in thought.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She caught the ball; she threw it to first base.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 43
It was April 2, 1931, and something
amazing was about to happen.
Mighty Jackie The Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss
What do you notice?
•
April is a proper noun because it is the name of a month.
•
It is a singular pronoun and the subject of the first independent clause.
•
Was is a past tense linking verb of the first and second independent clause.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction, and it combines two independent clauses with
a comma.
•
Amazing is an adjective.
•
Something is the subject of the second independent clause.
•
This is a declarative, compound sentence.
•
There is a comma between the day and the year.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It was February 14, 2012, and something peculiar
was about to happen.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 44
The other was the Chattanooga
Lookouts, a small team, a nothing
team, except for the pitcher, Jackie Mitchell.
Mighty Jackie The Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss
What do you notice?
•
Proper Nouns (Chattanooga Lookouts, Jackie Mitchell)
•
Some proper nouns contain more than one word. Each important word begins
with a capital letter. (Chattanooga Lookouts, Jackie Mitchell)
•
Common nouns (team, pitcher)
•
This is a declarative sentence, which ends in a period.
•
The subject is other.
•
The verb is a linking verb (was).
•
Adjectives are used to describe the team. (small, nothing)
•
Except for the pitcher is a prepositional phrase.
•
A small team, a nothing team are appositives describing the Chattanooga
Lookouts, and Jackie Mitchell is an appositive describing (or naming) the pitcher.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Disney World is my favorite theme park, a whimsical
park, an entertaining place, despite the expense.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 45
By the time she was eight years old,
Dazzy Vance, the star pitcher for the
Brooklyn Dodger’s, had taught her how to pitch.
Mighty Jackie The Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss
What do you notice?
•
The subject is Dazzy Vance and the verb is had taught.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
By the time is a prepositional phrase.
•
(That) she was eight years old is a dependent clause.
•
The star pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodger’s is an appositive, which is set off with
commas.
•
Proper nouns - Dazzy Vance, Brooklyn Dodgers
•
Common nouns - time, pitcher
•
It’s a declarative sentence which ends in a period.
•
Star is an adjective describing pitcher.
•
She is a singular, subject pronoun. (She is referring to Jackie.)
•
Her is an objective pronoun. Her refers to Jackie.
Possible Teacher Imitation
By the time she was ten years old, Carrie
Underwood, the star singer from American Idol, had
taught her how to sing.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 46
Babe Ruth glared at the umpire and
threw the bat down in disgust.
Mighty Jackie The Strike-out Queen by Marissa Moss
What do you notice?
•
The past tense, compound verbs are glared and threw.
•
Babe Ruth is a proper noun because it is a name of a specific person and is the
subject of this sentence.
•
At the umpire and in disgust are the prepositional phrases.
•
Bat is a singular common noun.
•
Down is an adverb because it describes where.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Mighty Jackie smiled at the umpire and pitched the
next ball with confidence.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 47
Her sisters and father work in the U.S.
My Diary from Here to There by Amanda Irma Perez
What do you notice?
•
Her is a possessive, singular pronoun.
•
Sisters is a plural noun. Notice how an –s was added to the singular form (sister)
to make the word plural.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Father is a singular noun.
•
The compound subject is sisters, father.
•
Work is the present tense verb and is plural because the subject is plural.
•
In the U.S. is a prepositional phrase.
•
U.S. is an abbreviation for the proper noun United States.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Her brothers and father play football.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 48
Mama and Papa keep talking about all
of the opportunities we’ll have in California.
My Diary from Here to There by Amanda Irma Perez
What do you notice?
•
The singular form of opportunities is opportunity. Notice how the y was changed
to an i and an –es was added to make this word plural.
•
Mama and Papa is a compound subject of the independent clause, Mama and
Papa keep talking about all of the opportunities.
•
Keep is the verb of the independent clause.
•
Talking is a gerund in this sentence ( an -ing verb acting as a noun)
•
About all, of the opportunities, in California are prepositional phrases.
•
We’ll is a contraction for we will.
•
California is a proper noun.
•
(That) we’ll have in California is a dependent clause.
•
This is a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The teachers and principal keep addressing all of
the opportunities we will have after graduation.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 49
There is a man here in the fields named
Cesar Chavez, who speaks of unions, strikes,
and boycotts.
My Diary from Here to There by Amanda Irma Perez
What do you notice?
•
A comma tells a reader to pause between the words it separates.
•
Commas are used to separate three or more words in a series: unions, strikes,
and boycotts.
•
Is is the verb.
•
A is an article.
•
Named Cesar Chavez is a (past) participial phrase.
•
Man is a singular noun and the subject of this sentence.
•
Here is an adverb because it tells where.
•
In the fields; of unions, strikes, and boycotts are prepositional phrases.
•
Fields is a plural noun.
•
Who is a relative pronoun and begins the dependent clause, who speaks of
unions, strikes, and boycotts.
•
The independent clause is There is a man here in the fields named Cesar
Chavez.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
Unions, strikes, and boycotts are all plural nouns.
Possible Teacher Imitation
There is a P.E. teacher here at our school named
Mr. Sporty, who teaches us rules, games, and
sports.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 50
Papa says we might go back for the
holidays in a year or two.
My Diary from Here to There by Amanda Irma Perez
What do you notice?
•
Papa is the subject of the sentence and is a proper noun because it’s used as a
name.
•
Says is a present tense verb.
•
We is a plural, subjective pronoun.
•
Back is an adverb because it tells where.
•
For the holidays and in a year or two are prepositional phrases.
•
Or is a conjunction.
•
Holidays is a plural noun that follows the rule of only adding an –s to make the
word plural because a is a vowel followed by a y.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
Papa says is the independent clause and (that) we might go back for the holidays
in a year or two is the dependent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Jane says we might go to the movies today or
tomorrow.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 51
Sometimes freight trains rumble past
our house like little earthquakes.
My Diary from Here to There by Amanda Irma Perez
What do you notice?
•
Sometimes is an adverb because it tells when.
•
Freight is an adjective because it describes trains.
•
The word trains is a plural noun and is the subject.
•
Rumble is the verb.
•
Past our house is a prepositional phrase.
•
Our is a plural, possessive pronoun.
•
House is a singular noun.
•
Like little earthquakes is a simile because it is comparing the sound of the freight
trains to the sound of little earthquakes, and is a prepositional phrase.
•
Little is an adjective because it describes earthquakes.
•
The word earthquakes is a plural noun.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Often children scurry through the halls like quiet
mice.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 52
In Cambodia thieves ripped out carved faces
of gods from an eleventh-century site.
Stealing Beauty from Time For Kids
What do you notice?
•
Cambodia is a proper noun.
•
The word thieves is an irregular, plural noun. It is also the subject. (One kind of
plural comes from singular words that end in –f or –fe. Many of these words
change the f to a v and add –es, such as thieves.)
•
Ripped is the past tense verb.
•
Carved is an adjective.
•
The word faces is a plural noun.
•
The word gods is a plural noun.
•
In Cambodia, of gods, from an eleventh century-site are prepositional phrases.
•
Eleventh-century is hyphenated because it acts as one word.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In Wyoming wolves roam freely in the woods.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 53
It has become difficult to make a living from
farming sheep.
Stealing Beauty from Time For Kids
What do you notice?
•
In this sentence the word sheep is a noun. The plural and singular forms of the
word sheep do not change.
•
It is a pronoun and the subject of this sentence.
•
Has become is the verb.
•
Difficult is an adjective.
•
The prepositional phrase is from farming sheep.
•
To make a living is an infinitive phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I have become more responsible by taking care of
all of my fish.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 54
Many people believe that stealing artwork is
like stealing a country’s history and culture.
Stealing Beauty from Time For Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause (Many people believe)
and a dependent clause (that stealing artwork is like stealing a country’s history
and culture).
•
That is a relative pronoun.
•
Many is an adjective.
•
The word people is an irregular, plural noun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Believe is the verb.
•
People, artwork, history, and culture are common nouns.
•
A is an article.
•
Country’s is a singular possessive noun. An apostrophe is used to show
ownership.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Many children believe that receiving good grades on
a report card is like winning a gold medal in the
country’s Olympics.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 55
Some people in these countries, however,
see looting as a way to get rich.
Stealing Beauty from Time For Kids
What do you notice?
•
Some is an adjective.
•
The word people is an irregular, plural noun and the subject of this sentence.
•
In these countries, as a way, are prepositional phrases.
•
To get is an infinitive (to + verb).
•
However is an adverb.
•
See is a present tense verb.
•
Looting is a noun.
•
Rich is a noun.
•
The subject is people, and the verb is see.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Some students in school, however, see extra silent
reading time as an award.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 56
Many people in China eat shrimp.
Stealing Beauty from Time For Kids
What do you notice?
•
Many is an adjective.
•
People is an irregular, plural noun, and the subject of this sentence.
•
In China is a prepositional phrase.
•
China is a proper noun.
•
Eat is a present tense verb.
•
Shrimp is a noun that is written the same in its singular and plural forms.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Some people in Florida hunt deer.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 57
People all over Europe and America loved
Ben’s glass armonica.
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer
What do you notice?
•
The word people is the subject of the sentence and is an irregular plural noun.
•
Loved is a past tense verb.
•
Europe, America, and Ben’s are all proper nouns.
•
Glass is an adjective that describes armonica.
•
Armonica is a noun.
•
Ben’s is a possessive singular noun. Notice how an apostrophe is used to show
ownership. The glass armonica belongs to Ben.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Children all over America enjoy Disney’s thrilling
ride, Space Mountain.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 58
His post office was the first to deliver
mail straight to people’s houses.
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer
What do you notice?
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
Post office is a noun and is the subject of the sentence.
•
Was is a past tense linking verb.
•
The is an article.
•
Prepositional phrases- to people’s houses
•
To deliver is an infinitive.
•
Mail is a singular noun.
•
People’s is a plural, possessive noun. To form the possessive of a plural noun that
does not end in s, add an apostrophe and an –s. A few nouns have the same plural
and singular form. (people’s)
•
Houses is a plural noun.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Her book was the first to be shelved in the school’s
media center.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 59
The title of this story is, “How Ben Franklin
Stole the Lightning.”
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer
What do you notice?
•
The is an article adjective.
•
Title is the subject.
•
Of this story is a prepositional phrase.
•
The word is is a linking verb.
•
Ben Franklin is a proper noun.
•
“How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning” is the title. All important words are
capitalized.
•
Quotation marks are put around the title because it is a short story.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Another popular book that Benjamin Franklin
penned is, Poor Richard’s Almanac.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 60
Anyone trying to remove the king’s gold
paper crown was in for a shock!
How Ben Franklin Stole The Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer
What do you notice?
•
Anyone is a singular, indefinite pronoun and the subject.
•
Was is a past tense linking verb.
•
King’s is a singular possessive noun.
•
Gold and paper are adjectives describing crown.
•
Crown is a singular noun.
•
Shock is a noun.
•
Trying to remove the king’s gold paper crown is a participial phrase.
•
This is an exclamatory sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Everyone attempting to achieve supreme honor roll
is in for a lot of hard work!
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 61
Ben’s most famous invention of all was the
lightning rod.
How Ben Franklin Stole the Lightning by Rosalyn Schanzer
What do you notice?
•
Ben’s is a singular, proper possessive noun.
•
Most is a superlative adjective.
•
Invention is a noun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Was is a past tense linking verb.
•
Lightning rod is a singular noun.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Brian’s most prized possession of all was his
baseball glove.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 62
Did the flowers arrive?
Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts
What do you notice?
•
Flowers is the subject of this interrogative sentence.
•
Did arrive is a verb.
•
The is an article adjective.
•
Flowers is a common plural noun. (A plural noun names more than one person,
place, or thing.)
•
Add –s to most nouns to form the plural.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Do you think Mr. Winston was afraid of snakes?
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 63
If the snake is not in Mr. Winston’s clothes,
it might have crawled out.
Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts
What do you notice?
•
Add an apostrophe (‘) and –s to a singular noun to make it possessive. (A
possessive noun shows who or what owns or has something.)
•
Snake is a common singular noun. It is also the subject of this sentence.
•
Is is the verb.
•
In Mr. Winston’s clothes is a prepositional phrase.
•
Mr. Winston’s is a singular, possessive proper noun.
•
Might have crawled is the verb phrase.
•
Out is an adverb because it tells where.
•
If is a subordinating conjunction. (AAAWWWUBBIS)
•
This is a complex sentence with a dependent clause (If the snake is not in Mr.
Winston’s clothes) and an independent clause (it might have crawled out).
Possible Teacher Imitation
If the book is not on the teacher’s shelf, someone
might have borrowed it.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 64
I told my parents something that I didn’t
get a chance to remind you about before the
ambulance took you from the school’s library.
Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts
What do you notice?
•
I is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Told is a past tense verb.
•
Parents is a plural noun.
•
Didn’t is a contraction for did not.
•
Ambulance and library are the singular noun..
•
School’s is a singular possessive noun.
•
Something is an indefinite pronoun.
•
This is a complex sentence. The independent clause is I told my parents
something. The dependent clauses are that I didn’t get a chance to remind you
about…and before the ambulance took you from the school’s library.
•
That is a relative pronoun that begins the first dependent clause.
•
Before is a subordinating conjunction that begins the second dependent clause.
•
The prepositional phrase is from the school’s library.
•
To remind you about is an infinitive phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I reminded my teacher something I forgot to tell her
before we left the school’s auditorium for lunch.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 65
There are no snakes on the show because
it takes place in space.
Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts
What do you notice?
•
There is a pronoun.
•
Are is a linking verb in the independent clause.
•
No is an adjective.
•
Snakes is a common, plural noun and the subject of the independent clause.
•
Show is a singular noun.
•
On the show is a prepositional phrase.
•
There are no snakes on the show is the independent clause.
•
Because is a subordinating conjunction and begins the dependent clause, because
it takes place in space.
•
It is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
In space is a prepositional phrase.
•
Space is a singular noun.
•
This is a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
There are no children on the playground because it
is raining outside.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 66
Cara’s snake only belonged to her for an
hour.
Dear Mr. Winston by Ken Roberts
What do you notice?
•
Cara’s is a singular, possessive, proper noun.
•
Snake is a noun and is the subject of the sentence.
•
Only is an adverb.
•
Belonged is a past tense verb.
•
To is a preposition.
•
Her is a singular objective pronoun.
•
To her, for an hour are prepositional phrases.
•
This is a declarative, simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Bailey’s hamster only runs on its wheel at night,
because it is nocturnal.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 67
The bulletin board featured photos of
famous people like Barack Obama, Albert
Einstein, and Sally Ride, the first woman
astronaut.
Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
from page 37
What do you notice?
•
Bulletin board is the subject.
•
Featured is a past tense verb.
•
Common singular nouns- bulletin board, astronaut
•
Photos is a common, plural noun.
•
People is an irregular plural noun.
•
Proper nouns- Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Sally Ride.
•
A comma is used after Sally Ride because the first woman astronaut is an
appositive.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The book contained information about famous
inventors like Thomas Edison, Benjamin Franklin,
and Alexander Graham Bell, who invented the
telephone.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 68
The whole town of Rancho Rosetta,
California, turned out for the annual
Labor Day Fiesta at Wild Acres.
Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
from page 3
What do you notice?
•
Town is a singular, common noun and it is the subject of this sentence.
•
Whole is an adjective because it describes the town.
•
Rancho Rosetta, California is a singular, proper noun. A comma is used to
separate the city and the state.
•
Turned is the verb.
•
Singular proper nouns- Labor Day Fiesta, Wild Acres
•
Prepositional phrases- of Rancho Rosetta,California, for the annual Labor Day
Fiesta, at Wild Acres
•
Annual is an adjective.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The whole town of Melbourne, Florida arrived for the
festive Christmas parade at Wickham Park.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 69
A small group of people stood at the booth,
watching the donuts being made.
Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
from page 10
What do you notice?
•
A is an article.
•
Small is an adjective that describes the group of people.
•
Of people, at the booth are prepositional phrases.
•
People is an irregular, plural, common noun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Stood is the verb..
•
Watching the donuts and being made are participial phrases.
•
The is an article.
•
Donuts is a common plural noun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
A large group of students sprinted to the field,
waiting for Field Day to begin.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 70
No girls were allowed at the boys’ table.
Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
from page 21
What do you notice?
•
No is an adjective because it describes how many girls.
•
Girls is the subject and a plural common noun.
•
Were allowed is the verb.
•
At the boys’ table is a prepositional phrase.
•
Boys’ is a possessive plural noun. An apostrophe is used to show ownership, the
table belongs to the boys.
•
Table is a singular, common noun.
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
No students are allowed in the teachers’ lounge.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 71
Bobby squeezed his eyes shut and
imagined himself holding a plate piled
high with glazed buttermilk donuts.
Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee
from page 104
What do you notice?
•
Bobby is the subject of this sentence.
•
Squeezed and imagined are the past tense verbs.
•
His is a singular possessive pronoun.
•
Eyes is a plural common noun.
•
And is a coordinating conjuction.
•
Himself is a reflexive pronoun.
•
Holding is a present tense participial.
•
A is an article adjective.
•
Plate is a singular common noun.
•
High is an adverb.
•
With glazed buttermilk donuts is a prepositional phrase.
•
Adjectives- glazed, buttermilk
•
Donuts is a plural noun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Jillian gripped her mother’s hand and held on for
dear life as the roller coaster plummeted down the
rickety track.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 72
He bared his fangs and frightened a family
walking home from the cornfield.
Roadrunner’s Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the sentence and a singular subjective pronoun
•
Compound verb - bared, frightened
•
His is a singular possessive pronoun.
•
The word and is a coordinating conjunction.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
Walking home from the cornfield is a participial phrase.
•
Compound word - cornfield
•
This is a simple sentence
Possible Teacher Imitation
She chomped her pretzels and slurped her soda
while ambling home from the ball field.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 73
The surprised turtle lumbered away, and
Roadrunner crashed to the ground.
Roadrunner’s Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound sentence: two independent clauses, the surprised turtle
lumbered away and Roadrunner crashed to the ground.
•
The coordinate conjunction is and.
•
Turtle is the subject of the first independent clause and Roadrunner is the subject
of the second independent clause.
•
The verbs are lumbered and crashed.
•
The prepositional phrase is to the ground.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
The word surprised is an adjective.
•
The word away is an adverb.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The astonished beetle scurried away, and the
toddler tumbled to the floor.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 74
Rattlesnake shouted, hissing so loud the
desert mice trembled with fear.
Roadrunner’s Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
What do you notice?
•
Rattlesnake is the subject of the independent clause, Rattlesnake shouted.
•
Shouted is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The phrase hissing so loud is a participial phrase.
•
(That) the desert mice trembled with fear is a dependent clause. The subject is
mice and the verb is trembled.
•
The prepositional phrase is with fear.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
Rattlesnake shouted is personification.
•
This is a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Dog shrieked, barking so insistently the
neighborhood cats fled in fear.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 75
He went racing down the road until his sharp
eyes spied Rattlesnake hiding under a tall yucca
plant.
Roadrunner’s Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the sentence and a singular subjective pronoun.
•
The verb is went.
•
Rattlesnake is a proper noun.
•
The prepositional phrases are down the road and under a tall yucca plant.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
Hiding under a tall yucca plant is a participial phrase.
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
Until is a subordinating conjunction and begins the dependent clause until his
sharp eyes spied Rattlesnake hiding under a tall yucca plant.
•
This is a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He meandered slowly down the street until his keen
eyes spotted Tate snooping around an old, wooden
shed.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 76
The people and the animals heard the ruckus
and drew close to watch.
Roadrunner’s Dance by Rudolfo Anaya
What do you notice?
•
The sentence has a compound subject - people, animals
•
The compound verbs are heard and drew.
•
To watch is an infinitive.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
The word ruckus is a noun.
•
Close is an adverb.
•
This is a simple sentence
Possible Teacher Imitation
The teachers and the students heard the helicopter
and fled wildly to watch.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 77
They called me Christine, and like three
peas in a pod, we grew together.
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound sentence
•
The subject in the first independent clause is they and the past tense verb is
called.
•
The subject in the second independent clause is we and the past tense verb is
grew.
•
Grew is an irregular verb.
•
Like three peas in a pod is a simile and a prepositional phrase.
•
Christine is a proper noun.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
Plural subjective pronouns in the sentence are they and we.
•
Me is a singular objective pronoun.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Together is an adverb.
Possible Teacher Imitation
They named me Candy, and like M&M’s in a jar, we
were always sweet to one another.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 78
I remember days sitting at her feet as she
and Aunt Ida filled us with grand memories
of their childhood and read to us about all the
wonderful places in the world.
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
What do you notice?
•
I is the subject of the sentence and a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
The present tense verb in the sentence is remember.
•
As is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS).
•
The subordinate clause is as she and Aunt Ida filled us with grand memories of
their childhood and read to us about all the wonderful places in the world.
•
Aunt Ida is a proper noun.
•
The possessive pronouns are their and her.
•
Us is a plural objective pronoun and she is a singular nominative pronoun.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause (I remember days sitting
at her feet) and a dependant clause (as she and Aunt Ida…).
•
At her feet, with grand memories, of their childhood, and in the world are
prepositional phrases.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I recall afternoons lounging at the beach, as she and
Uncle Tom filled us with fascinating stories of their
travels and showed pictures to us of astonishing
sites.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 79
I am a man, and until you call me one, I will
not listen to you.
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
What do you notice?
•
I is the subject of the sentence and a subjective pronoun.
•
Am is a present tense linking verb.
•
Man is a noun.
•
A is an article adjective.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
The prepositional phrase is to you.
•
Until is a subordinating conjunction.
•
This is a compound-complex sentence: an independent clause (I am a man), a
subordinate clause (until you call me one), and an independent clause (I will not
listen to you).
Possible Teacher Imitation
I am a puppy, and until you train me, I will not walk
on a leash.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 80
These stories were as nourishing as the
food that was set before us.
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
What do you notice?
•
The subject in the sentence is stories (plural).
•
The verb is were.
•
There is subject-verb agreement because both are plural-stories were
•
Stories were as nourishing as the food that was set before us is a simile.
•
These is an adjective.
•
The prepositional phrases are as nourishing, as the food, and before us
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause, these stories were as
nourishing as the food, and a dependent clause, that was set before us (that is a
relative pronoun that acts as a subject).
Possible Teacher Imitation
This book was as thrilling as the roller coaster,
Space Mountain that was at Disney World.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 81
Daddy was the minister at Ebenezer Baptist
Church.
My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris
What do you notice?
•
The subject of the sentence is Daddy (singular).
•
Was is the linking verb.
•
Subject verb agreement-Daddy was
•
The is an article adjective.
•
Minister is a common noun.
•
Ebenezer Baptist Church is a proper noun and shows specificity.
•
At Ebenezer Baptist Church is a prepositional phrase.
•
This is a simple sentence.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Momma was the teacher at Sunshine Elementary
School.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 82
These enterprising kids are not professional
journalists, but like adult reporters they still
have to show they are qualified for the job.
Kid Reporters At Work by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound complex sentence: two independent clauses joined by a
coordinating conjunction (but), and a dependent clause (that) they are qualified.
•
There is subject verb agreement: kids are, they are, and they have.
•
Are is a linking verb.
•
These is a demonstrative pronoun.
•
Enterprising, professional, and adult are adjectives.
•
Kids, journalist, reporters, and job are common nouns.
•
For the job and like adult reporters are prepositional phrases
•
The word but is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Not and still are adverbs.
•
They is a plural, subjective pronoun.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
These industrious students are not teachers, but like
certified teachers they still have to demonstrate they
are capable of peer tutoring.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 83
However, they have some strong
similarities.
Kid Reporters At Work by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
They is the subject of the sentence and a plural subjective pronoun.
•
Have is the verb.
•
However is a conjunctive adverb.
•
Some and strong are adjectives.
•
Similarities is a noun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Therefore, we have few if any disagreements.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 84
The U.N. is working hard to help improve
children’s lives.
Adapted from Kid Reporters at Work by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
U.N. is an abbreviation for United Nations.
•
The subject is U.N. and the verb is is working.
•
Is is the helping verb.
•
To help is an infinitive.
•
There is an apostrophe in the word children’s to indicate that it is a possessive
noun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The U.S. is working hard to improve families’ lives.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 85
In 2002, however, she had the chance to
meet people from all over the world without
traveling very far at all.
Kid Reporters At Work by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
She is a singular, subjective pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Had is the verb.
•
The adverbs are however, far, and very.
•
The prepositional phrases are in 2002, from all over the world, without traveling,
and at all.
•
Chance, people, world, and traveling are common nouns.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
To meet people is an infinitive phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In 2011, however, he had the opportunity to greet
people from all over the city without leaving
Wal-Mart.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 86
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at two
TFK reporters and two of the stories they
covered for the magazine.
Kid Reporters At Work by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Here’s is the contraction for here is.
•
Look is the subject.
•
The verb is is (‘s) from the contraction here’s.
•
The prepositional phrases are at two TFK reporters, and (at) two, of the stories,
and for the magazine.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Behind-the-scenes is a hyphenated word acting as an adjective.
•
This is a complex sentence because the dependent clause is (that) they covered
for the magazine and the independent clause is Here’s a behind-the-scenes look
at two TFK reporters and two of the stories.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Here’s an in-depth look at three SLE students and
three of the Quality Literature books they submitted
for their school.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 87
Traveling with the people were an old
woman and her grandson.
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
What do you notice?
•
Woman and grandson is the compound subject.
•
Were traveling is the verb.
•
Woman and grandson are common nouns.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
An is an article adjective.
•
Old is an adjective.
•
Her is a possessive pronoun.
•
With the people is a prepositional phrase.
•
This is a simple sentence
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Walking with the puppy was a mother and her
four-year old daughter.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 88
Their only shelter was made of sticks and a
patchwork of pieces of old tipi covers which
people had thrown away.
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
What do you notice?
•
Shelter is the subject of the independent clause: Their only shelter was made of
sticks and patchwork of pieces of old tipi covers.
•
Was made is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The prepositional phrases are of sticks and a patchwork, of pieces, and of old tipi
covers.
•
A is an article adjective.
•
Which is a relative pronoun.
•
Which people had thrown away is a dependent clause; the subject is people and
the verb is had thrown.
•
Their is a plural possessive pronoun.
•
Only is an adjective
•
Patchwork is a common noun.
•
This is a complex sentence.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Their bedroom tent was made of blankets and a
conglomeration of old sheets which had
accumulated over the years.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 89
He was sad for his horse, and angry with
himself that he had not done what his
mysterious horse had told him.
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the sentence and a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Himself is a singular reflexive pronoun.
•
Him is a singular objective pronoun.
•
The compound verb is was.
•
The prepositional phrases are for his horse and with himself.
•
A is an article adjective.
•
That is a relative pronoun.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
This is a complex sentence: an independent clause (He was sad for his horse,
and angry with himself), dependent clauses (that he had not done, and what his
mysterious horse had told him).
•
This is a declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She was downcast for her dog, and livid with herself
that she had not done what her mom had told her.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 90
They were poor, living alone without any
relatives at the edge of the village.
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
What do you notice?
•
They is the subject of the sentence and a plural, subjective pronoun.
•
The verb is were (linking verb).
•
Living alone is a participial phrase.
•
The prepositional phrases are without any relatives, at the edge, and of the
village.
•
Poor is an adjective.
•
This is a simple sentence
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
They were wealthy, living grandly with many children
at the edge of the city.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 91
He was terribly thin, with sores on his back.
Mystic Horse by Paul Goble
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the sentence and a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Was is a linking verb.
•
The prepositional phrases are with sores and on his back.
•
Thin is an adjective.
•
Terribly is an adverb.
•
This is a simple sentence.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He was horribly injured, with road rash from head to
toe.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 92
He watched snowflakes fall on his mittens, on
the dried grass of Vermont farm fields, on the
dark metal handle of the barn door.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the sentence and a singular subjective pronoun.
•
Watched is the verb.
•
The prepositional phrases are on his mittens, on the dried grass, of Vermont farm
fields, on the dark metal handle, and of the barn door.
•
Vermont is a proper noun.
•
The word and has purposefully been omitted from the series in order to maintain
a fluid series of sites.
•
The author started each phrase with the word on for emphasis.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She watched raindrops drip on her shoes, on the
green grass of the yard, on the bronze metal handle
of the front door.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 93
When his mother gave him an old microscope,
he used it to look at the flowers, raindrops, and
blades of grass.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
What do you notice?
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS).
•
When his mother gave him an old microscope is a dependent clause.
•
Prepositional phrase-at the flowers, raindrops, and blades of grass
•
He is the subject of the independent clause and a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
The verb is used.
•
This is a complex sentence: a dependent clause (when his mother gave him an
old microscope) and an independent clause (he used it to look at the flowers,
raindrops, and blades of grass).
•
To look is an infinitive.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When his dad gave him an old telescope, he used it
to gaze at the stars, moon, and the lights of
airplanes flying over.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 94
Willie’s mother knew he would not be happy
until he could share what he had seen.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
What do you notice?
•
Mother is the subject of the independent clause.
•
Knew is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The verbs knew and seen are irregular verbs.
•
Willie’s is a possessive, proper noun acting as an adjective.
•
He is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Until is a subordinating conjunction.
•
Until he could share what he had seen is a dependent clause.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause, Willie’s mother knew,
and two dependent clauses, (that) he would not be happy, and until he could
share what he had seen.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Hailey’s dad knew she wouldn’t be elated until she
could share what she had found.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 95
Children and adults sat on the grass and
watched while Willie projected his slides onto a
sheet hung over a clothesline.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
What do you notice?
•
The compound subject is children and adults.
•
The compound verb is sat and watched.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
His is a singular possessive pronoun.
•
Willie is a proper noun.
•
While is a subordinating conjunction.
•
While Willie projected his slides onto a sheet hung over a clothesline is a
dependent clause.
•
The prepositional phrases are on the grass, onto a sheet, and over a clothesline.
•
This is a complex sentence: independent clause (children and adults sat on the
grass and watched) and a dependent clause (while Willie projected his slides
onto a sheet hung over a clothesline).
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Boys and girls sat at their desks and watched while
Miss Thompson modeled her sentence on the doc
cam from the stand.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 96
He wrote about snow and published his pictures
in magazines.
Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the sentence and a singular subjective pronoun.
•
The compound verbs are wrote (irregular) and published.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
His is a singular possessive pronoun.
•
The prepositional phrases are about snow and in magazines.
•
This is a simple sentence.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He wrote about animals and published his articles
online.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 97
She sat down at the desk Mrs. Pidgeon
provided, right smack in the middle of
everything, and began doing second
grade work.
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
from page 3
What do you notice?
•
She is the subject of the independent clause (She sat down at the desk, right
smack in the middle of everything, and began doing second grade work) and a
singular subjective pronoun.
•
The compound irregular verbs of the independent clause are sat and began.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Mrs. Pidgeon is a proper noun.
•
The prepositional phrases are at the desk, in the middle, and of everything.
•
Doing second grade work is a participial phrase.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
(That) Mrs. Pidgeon provided is a dependent clause. The subject is Mrs. Pidgeon
and the verb is provided.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He plopped down at the table Mr. Jackson offered,
smack dab in the middle of the room, and began
doing a Suduko puzzle.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 98
Mrs. Pidgeon nodded and stepped aside so
that there was room for Gooney Bird to
stand in front of the class.
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
from page 13
What do you notice?
•
Mrs. Pidgeon is the subject of the sentence and a proper noun.
•
Nodded and stepped is the past tense, compound verb.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
So that is a subordinating conjunction.
•
So that there was room for Gooney Bird to stand in front of the class is the
dependent clause.
•
Aside is an adverb.
•
Gooney Bird is a proper noun.
•
This is a complex sentence: independent clause (Mrs. Pidgeon nodded and
stepped aside), dependent clause (so that there was room for Gooney Bird to
stand in front of the class)
•
Prepositional phrases-for Gooney Bird, to stand, in front, of the class
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Miss Egret winked and shuffled over so that there
was space for Molly McGee to talk in front of her
classmates.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 99
A cow chewing a purple flower looked
curiously at it and then wandered away.
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
from page 32
What do you notice?
•
Cow is the subject of the sentence and a common noun.
•
Chewing a purple flower is a participial phrase.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Looked and wondered is the past tense compound verb.
•
Curiously and away are adverbs.
•
This is a declarative, simple sentence.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
A dog gnawing a squeaky chew toy snarled
aggressively at it and then ambled away.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 100
When Gooney Bird and her parents were
finally reunited, everyone, including two
policemen, a TV reporter, and the gas station
owner, hugged and kissed and did the tango.
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
from page 33
What do you notice?
•
When is a subordinate conjunction that begins the dependent clause, when
Gooney Bird and her parents were finally reunited.
•
Everyone is the subject of the independent clause.
•
Hugged and kissed is the past tense compound verb.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Policemen, reporter, owner, and tango are common nouns.
•
Two, TV, and gas station are adjectives.
•
Everyone is a singular indefinite pronoun.
•
This is a complex sentence with a dependent clause and an independent clause,
everyone, including two policemen, a TV reporter, and the gas station owner,
hugged and kissed and did the tango.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When Molly McGee and her best friend were
amazingly reunited, everybody, including their
parents, the fourth grade teachers, and the bus
driver high-fived and fist pounded and did a little jig.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 101
The station wagon drove on, around a curve
in the road.
Gooney Bird Greene by Lois Lowry
from page 32
What do you notice?
•
Station wagon is a noun and the subject of the sentence.
•
The is an article adjective.
•
Drove is the irregular verb.
•
On is an adverb.
•
Prepositional phrases are around a curve and in the road.
•
This is a declarative, simple sentence.
.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The mini van sped on, down the street in the
neighborhood.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 102
They were being a bit melodramatic, don’t you
think?
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague
What do you notice?
•
You is the subject and the singular subjective pronoun of the independent clause.
•
The verb is do think of the independent clause, don’t you think?
•
Not (n’t) from the contraction don’t is an adverb.
•
(That) They were being a bit melodramatic is a dependent clause because there
is an understood relative pronoun that that should begin this clause, and the
independent clause is You don’t think, which is the inverted version of Don’t you
think. In essence, you are flipping the sentence to read –You don’t think that they
were being a bit melodramatic?
•
They is a pronoun referring to the cats in the story.
•
This is an example of an interrogative sentence.
•
This is a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
They were being a bit selfish, don’t you think?
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 103
It’s hard to believe they were really sick for
three whole days, but you know cats.
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound-complex sentence with two independent clauses, it’s hard to
believe, you know cats, and a dependent clause, (that) they were really sick for
three whole days.
•
It is the singular pronoun and the subject of the first independent clause and is
(‘s) is the verb.
•
You is the subject of the second independent clause, and know is the verb.
•
A comma separates the dependent clause and the second independent clause.
•
But is a coordinating conjunction and also separates the clauses.
•
The prepositional phrase is for three whole days.
•
To believe is an infinitive.
•
They is a pronoun referring to the cats in the story.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It’s hard to believe they were really ecstatic for
several days, but you know kids.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 104
It started in my paw, causing me to limp all
day.
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague
What do you notice?
•
It is the subject and the pronoun.
•
Started is the verb.
•
Causing me to limp all day is the participial phrase beginning with causing which
is a participle. Participial phrases act as adjective modifiers.
•
My is a possessive pronoun.
•
Me is a objective pronoun.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It started in my room, causing me to clean all day.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 105
You would scarcely believe the misery I’ve
endured.
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague
What do you notice?
•
You is the subject of the independent clause, You would scarcely believe the
misery.
•
You is a second person pronoun.
•
Would believe is the verb of the independent clause.
•
Scarcely is an adverb.
•
I’ve is the contraction for I have.
•
I is a subjective pronoun.
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
(That) I’ve endured is a dependent clause. I is the subject and have endured is
the verb.
Possible Teacher Imitation
You would hardly believe the fun I’ve enjoyed.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 106
Does anybody care that the other dogs disturb
ME?
Dear Mrs. LaRue by Mark Teague
What do you notice?
•
Anybody is the subject.
•
Does care is the verb.
•
Anybody is an indefinite, singular pronoun.
•
Me is an objective pronoun.
•
This is an interrogative sentence.
•
ME is capitalized to add emphasis.
•
That is a relative pronoun and begins the dependent clause that the other dogs
disturb ME?
•
This is a complex sentence because it has an independent clause, Does
anybody care and a dependent clause, that the other dogs disturb me.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Does anyone care that the cat scratched ME?
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 107
As he worked he sang sweet songs, and
birds of many colors flew out of the trees
just to hear him sing.
The Blind Hunter by Kristina Rodanas
What do you notice?
•
He is the singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Him is the singular, objective pronoun.
•
The sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction As. As he worked is the
dependent clause.
•
The subject of the first independent clause is he (he sang sweet songs) and the
subject of the second independent clause is birds (birds of many colors flew
out…).
•
The verb in the first independent clause is sang. The verb in the second
independent clause is flew.
•
This is a compound-complex sentence.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
The prepositional phrases are of many colors and of the trees.
•
The sentence elicits a tone of gaity and infers that the singing was enjoyable.
Possible Teacher Imitation
As she moved she danced beautiful steps, and
students in many rooms raced out into the courtyard
just to see her dance.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 108
When children came to visit, he always
stopped what he was doing, so he could
laugh with them and listen to their stories.
The Blind Hunter by Kristina Rodanas
What do you notice?
•
He is the singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Them is the plural, objective pronoun.
•
Their is a possessive pronoun.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction.
•
This is a compound-complex sentence.
•
The two independent clauses (he always stopped and so he could laugh with
them and listen to their stories) are separated with the coordinating conjunction
so, which is preceded by a comma.
•
The first dependent clause is When children came to visit and the second
dependent clause is what he was doing.
•
The subject of the first independent clause is he and the verb is stopped.
•
The subject of the second independent clause is he and has compound verbs:
could laugh and listen.
•
The sentence infers that Chirobo was kind and thoughtful.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When parents came to visit, he always stopped what
he was teaching, so he could talk to them and listen
to their concerns.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 109
Everyone in the village liked this gentle man
with the warm smile.
The Blind Hunter by Kristina Rodanas
What do you notice?
•
Everyone is a singular, indefinite pronoun.
•
This is a demonstrative pronoun.
•
Everyone is the subject.
•
Liked is the verb.
•
Prepositional phrases-in the village, with the warm smile
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
The word choice (adjectives) – gentle, warm - supports the fact that people of the
village liked Chirobo.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Everyone in school liked this kind teacher with the
hardy laugh.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 110
Alone, he fell to his knees and placed his
hands upon the ground himself.
Adapted from The Blind Hunter by Kristina Rodanas
What do you notice?
•
He is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
Himself is a singular, reflexive pronoun.
•
Alone is an adverb.
•
The subject of the sentence is he.
•
The compound verb is fell and placed.
•
Prepositional phrases-to his knees, upon the ground
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Alone, she skidded down the hall and slid her feet
along the floor herself.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 111
His mind made up, he quickly switched the
thin bird for the plump one.
The Blind Hunter by Kristina Rodanas
What do you notice?
•
His is a singular possessive pronoun.
•
He is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
He is the subject and switched is the verb.
•
Prepositional phrase-for the plump one
•
This is a simple sentence that begins with an *absolute phrase (His mind made
up) and an independent clause (he quickly switched the thin bird for the plump
one).
•
Quickly is an adverb.
*
An absolute phrase is a noun followed by a participial phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
His mind made up, he hurriedly dropped the rough
stick for the smooth one.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 112
Oil is a very important fuel because it helps
power cars, trucks, trains, planes, factories, and
electrical plants.
The Power of Oil by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Oil is the subject.
•
The state of being verb is is.
•
Both oil and is are singular.
•
The pronoun antecedent for it is oil and is singular.
•
This is a complex sentence because it has the subordinating conjunction
because beginning the subordinate clause: because it helps power cars, trucks,
planes, factories, and electrical plants. Since the subordinating conjunction
because is within the sentence it does not have a comma.
•
Common nouns are oil, fuel, cars, trucks, trains, planes, factories, and plants.
•
Commas separate the items in a series.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Dogs are very important pets because they help
entertain children, parents, grandparents, and
friends.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 113
They are raving about the performance of
their cars and feeling good about making the
responsible choice.
The Power of Oil by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
They is the plural, subjective pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Are raving and feeling is the compound verb.
•
Their is a possessive pronoun.
•
The prepositional phrases are about the performance and about making the
responsible choice.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She is raving about the grade on her report card and
feeling good about making the right choices.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 114
They’re bad for our health and our planet.
The Power of Oil by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
They is the subject and the plural, subjective pronoun.
•
The verb is are (‘re) from the contraction they’re.
•
Since the subject is plural, so is the verb.
•
The compound prepositional phrases are for our health and our planet.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
Bad is an adjective.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She’s bad for our teacher and our principal.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 115
The United States produces oil, but it also
buys about 59% of what it needs.
The Power of Oil by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
United States is the subject of the first independent clause and it is the subject of
the second independent clause.
•
Produces is the verb in the first independent clause and buys is the verb in the
second independent clause.
•
Both the subject and verb are singular in the first and second clause.
•
It refers to the United States; therefore it is the antecedent of the United States.
•
This is a compound sentence with two independent clauses separated by a
coordinating conjunction.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Sarah bakes cookies, but she also buys about 50%
of what she needs.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 116
They turned into a mighty black brew that we
use to make fuels.
Adapted from The Power of Oil by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
They is the subject of the independent clause, they turned into a mighty black
brew.
•
They is a plural, subjective pronoun and refers to an earlier reference to decayed
plants and animals.
•
Turned is the verb.
•
That is a relative pronoun and begins the dependent clause, that we use to make
fuel.
•
Brew is a noun.
•
Adjectives-mighty, black
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause, they turned into a mighty
black brew, and a dependent clause, that we use to make fuels.
•
Into a mighty black brew is a prepositional phrase.
•
To make is an infinitive.
Possible Teacher Imitation
It turned into a mighty grand gravy that we use to
enhance turkey.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 117
She is a bright ten-year-old girl.
Adelina’s Whales by Richard Sobol
What do you notice?
•
She is the subject.
•
She is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
The state of being verb is is.
•
Ten-year-old is hyphenated because it acts as one word.
•
Both bright and ten-year-old act as adjectives modifying girl.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He is an athletic eleven-year-old boy.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 118
Simply by taking a deep breath through
her nose, she can smell the clams and seaweed.
Adapted from Adelina’s Whales by Richard Sobol
What do you notice?
•
She is a singular subjective pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
The verb is can smell.
•
By taking a deep breath and through her nose are prepositional phrases.
•
Simply is an adverb.
•
Her is a possessive pronoun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Simply by taking a deep breath through his nose, he
can smell the cinnamon buns and bread.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 119
As she has always known they would, the
gray whales have come again to visit.
Adelina’s Whales by Richard Sobol
What do you notice?
•
As she has always known they would is the dependent clause making this a
complex sentence and begins with the subordinating conjunction As
(AAAWWWUBBIS).
•
The gray whales have come again to visit is the independent clause.
•
The two clauses are separated by a comma.
•
Whales is the subject and have come is the verb.
•
She is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
They is a plural subjective pronoun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
As they had always known they would, the
persistent relatives have come again to visit.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 120
Adelina smiles and returns to her sleep,
comforted by the sounds of whales breathing
and snoring outside her window.
Adelina’s Whales by Richard Sobol
What do you notice?
•
Adelina smiles and returns to her sleep is the independent clause.
•
Comforted by the sounds of whales breathing and snoring outside her window is
a (past tense) participial phrase, not a dependent clause, so this is an example of
a simple sentence.
•
A comma separates the phrase from the independent clause.
•
Adelina is the subject and smiles and returns is the compound verb.
•
Her is a possessive pronoun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Billy smiles and returns to his sleep, comforted by
the sounds of crickets chirping and singing outside
his window.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 121
Raising their massive heads up out of the
water, they come face-to-face with people.
Adelina’s Whales by Richard Sobol
What do you notice?
•
Raising their massive heads up out of the water is a participial phrase (raising is
the participle, a verb that ends in ing and acts like a modifier).
•
They come face-to-face with people is the independent clause.
•
The phrase and clause are separated by a comma.
•
They is the subject and come is the verb.
•
Their is a possessive pronoun.
•
They is the subjective pronoun.
•
Face-to-face is hyphenated because it acts as one word.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Raising her curious face up over the crowd, she
comes face-to-face with her friend.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 122
Because it is so shallow, the waves break
and crash into the reef.
At Home in the Coral Reef by Katy Muzik
What do you notice?
•
Because is a subordinating conjunction and begins the dependent clause.
•
A comma separates the dependent clause from the independent clause.
•
The subject is waves, and the compound verbs are break and crash.
•
The prepositional phrase is into the reef.
•
The independent clause is the waves break and crash into the reef.
•
This is an example of a complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Because it is so deep, the water pools and dips
deep at the center.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 123
Watch out for those hungry wrasses!
At Home in the Coral Reef by Katy Muzik
What do you notice?
•
This is an imperative sentence. An imperative sentence is a command or
suggestion. It does not become an exclamatory sentence just because it ends in
an exclamation mark.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
The subject, you, is implied. The verb is watch.
•
Those is a demonstrative pronoun.
•
Hungry is the adjective that modifies wrasses.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Look out for those scary sharks!
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 124
Without living coral, the fish and other
animals will leave.
At Home in the Coral Reef by Katy Muzik
What do you notice?
•
Without living coral is a prepositional phrase.
•
The subject is compound: fish, animals.
•
The verb is will leave.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Without tasty lunches, the student and other
classmates will starve.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 125
Their roots grow out and hang down right
into the ocean.
At Home in the Coral Reef by Katy Muzik
What do you notice?
•
Their is a plural possessive pronoun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
The subject is roots and the compound verbs are grow and hang.
•
Into the ocean is the prepositional phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Their plants grow out and hang down right into the
porch.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 126
Zillions of coral animals have been adding
their skeletons to the reef for over 8,000 years.
At Home in the Coral Reef by Katy Muzik
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
Zillions is the subject and the verb is have been adding.
•
Their is a plural possessive pronoun.
•
Prepositional phrases-of coral animals, to the reef, for over 8,000 years
•
Coral is an adjective that modifies animals.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Millions of fish have been darting through the ocean
in the Caribbean for over 8,000 years.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 127
He either didn’t hear her or was ignoring her,
so she pushed back her chair and flew after
the two figures.
Adapted from The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett
from page 14
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the first independent clause and a singular subjective
pronoun.
•
The compound verbs in the first independent clause are did hear and was
ignoring.
•
So is a coordinating conjunction separating the two independent clauses.
•
She is the subject of the second independent clause and is a singular subjective
pronoun.
•
Pushed and flew is the compound verb in the second clause.
•
Prepositional phrase-after the two figures
•
This is a compound sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She either didn’t hear her or was ignoring her, so
she jumped out of bed and dashed after the two
puppies.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 128
He closed his eyes in concentration, shutting
out all sound except his own breathing.
The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett
from page 21
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the independent clause and a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
The verb is closed.
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
Shutting out all sound except his own breathing is the participial phrase that
begins with the participle shutting.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
They opened their eyes in astonishment, taking in all
the sights except their own shadows.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 129
A little farther down was a sketch of a dragon
that seemed to be curled up on itself.
Adapted from The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett
from page 39
What do you notice?
•
Sketch is the subject.
•
The verb is was.
•
Itself is a singular reflexive pronoun.
•
This sentence begins with an adverb phrase, A little further down.
•
That is a relative pronoun.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause, a little further down was
a sketch of a dragon, and a dependent clause, that seemed to be curled up on
itself.
•
The prepositional phrases are of a dragon and up on itself.
•
To be is an infinitive.
Possible Teacher Imitation
A little further down was a sketch of a sugar glider
that seemed to be curled up on itself.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 130
When he died, he was really poor, so his wife
decided to sell some of his paintings.
The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett
from page 44
What do you notice?
•
He is the subject of the first independent clause (he was really poor) and wife is
the subject of the second independent clause (his wife decided to sell some of
his paintings).
•
The verb is was in the first independent clause and decided in the second
independent clause.
•
The coordinating conjunction between the two independent clauses is so.
•
He is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction and begins the dependent clause-, when he
died.
•
This is an example of a compound-complex sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When they moved, they were really excited, so their
mom decided to decorate some of their rooms.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 131
The tour ended in the same room where it
had started.
The 100-Year-Old Secret by Tracy Barrett
from page 65
What do you notice?
•
Tour is the subject.
•
The verb is ended.
•
It is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
It is the antecedent for tour.
•
This is a complex sentence because the word where is a subordinating
conjunction and begins the dependent clause, where it had started.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The field trip ended in the same building where it
had started.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 132
She looked sad and old and wrinkled.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
What do you notice?
•
The adjectives are sad, old, and wrinkled.
•
She is the subject and is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
Looked is the verb.
•
And is a conjunction.
•
Use of and is purposefully repetitive and joins the adjectives.
•
It is declarative, simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He looked young and happy and energetic.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 133
She is a very small, very old woman with short
gray hair, and she was the first friend I made in
Naomi.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
What do you notice?
•
Adjectives-small, old, gray, short
•
She is the subject of both independent clauses.
•
The sentence is a compound-complex sentence.
•
The first independent clause is present tense, but the second independent clause
is past tense.
•
Naomi is a proper noun.
•
The verb in the first independent clause is is, and the verb in the second
independent clause is was.
•
Use of very is purposefully repetitive.
•
The prepositional phrase is in Naomi.
•
(That) I made in Naomi is a dependent phrase with a relative pronoun (that)
which is implied.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He is a very smart, very wise old man with a quick
friendly smile, and he showed me the fossils at the
Melbourne Science Center.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 134
“Then I became aware of a very peculiar smell,
a very strong smell,” said Miss Franny.
Adapted from Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
What do you notice?
•
The quotation is a past tense, simple sentence.
•
I is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Became is the verb.
•
Then is an adverb.
•
Very, peculiar, strong are adjectives.
•
A very strong smell is repeated to add emphasis.
•
Smell is a noun.
•
The sentence is a direct quotation with the comma inside the quotation marks.
•
Miss is a title used to describe a woman who is not married.
•
Miss Franny is a proper noun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
“Then I became frightened by the very big, very loud
bear,” said Mrs. Phillips.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 135
He put his big nose up in the air and sniffed
and sniffed as if he was trying to decide if a
little-miss-know-it-all librarian was what he was
in the mood to eat.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
What do you notice?
•
The sentence is past tense.
•
He is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
The compound verb is put and sniffed.
•
The adjectives are big and little-miss-know-it-all.
•
Common nouns are nose, librarian, and mood.
•
This is a complex sentence: the independent clause is, he put his big nose up in
the air and sniffed and sniffed, and the first of three dependent clauses is as if he
was trying to decide. Another dependent clause is if a little-miss-know-it-all
librarian was. The third dependent clause is what he was in the mood to eat.
•
Prepositional phrases are up in the air and in the mood.
•
To decide is an infinitive.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She put her ear to the door and listened and listened
as if she was trying to hear all of the tiny noises in
the room next door.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 136
“It’s a fine talent,” Miss Franny said, “a very
fine talent.”
Adapted from Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
What do you notice?
•
The quotation is a present tense, simple sentence.
•
Miss Franny is a proper noun.
•
Miss is a title used to indicate that a woman is not married.
•
Is (‘s) is the verb from the contraction it’s (it is).
•
Adjectives-fine, very
•
Nouns-talent
•
The sentence is a direct quotation.
•
The speaker is indicated by a tag in the middle of the direct quote.
•
The final phrase in quotes is used for emphasis.
Possible Teacher Imitation
“It’s an excellent essay,” said Mrs. Janes, “A truly
excellent essay.”
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 137
I would like something even more difficult to
read now, because I am an advanced reader.
Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
What do you notice?
•
I is a pronoun and the subject of the independent clause.
•
The verb of the independent clause is would like.
•
This is a complex sentence. I would like something even more difficult to read
now is the independent clause, and because I am an advanced reader is the
dependent clause.
•
The subject of the dependent clause is I and the verb is am.
•
Reader is a noun.
•
Something is an indefinite pronoun.
•
The adjectives are more, difficult, and advanced.
•
Because is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
dependent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I would like something even more sweet to eat,
because I have a very sweet tooth.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 138
In a forest clearing, men are frantically
searching the ground.
Ranita The Frog Prince by Carmen Agra Deedy
What do you notice?
•
The verb phrase, are searching, is present tense.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
Men is a plural noun and the subject of the sentence, and are searching is the
verb.
•
The prepositional phrase is In a forest clearing.
•
A comma separates the prepositional phrase from the independent clause.
•
The adverb is frantically.
•
The article/adjectives are a and the.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In a classroom, students are happily writing
sentences.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 139
You were expecting a Mayan princess,
perhaps?
Ranita The Frog Prince by Carmen Agra Deedy
What do you notice?
•
The verb phrase, were expecting, is past tense.
•
You is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence and the verb is were expecting.
•
Mayan is a proper noun acting as an adjective.
•
A comma separates the adverb, perhaps, from the independent clause.
•
This is an interrogative sentence.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
The author using exaggeration to add humor.
Possible Teacher Imitation
You were hoping for a king’s feast, perhaps?
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 140
He is probably feeding the birds.
Ranita The Frog Prince by Carmen Agra Deedy
What do you notice?
•
The verb phrase, is feeding, is present tense.
•
He is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
The verb phrase is is feeding.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
The plural noun is birds.
•
Probably is an adverb.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She is probably chopping the trees.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 141
Hey, I’ve just had an idea.
Adapted from Ranita The Frog Prince by Carmen Agra Deedy
What do you notice?
•
I is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
I’ve is a contraction for “I have.”
•
The verb is have had from the contraction (‘ve).
•
The article/adjective is an.
•
Hey is an interjection and is separated with a comma.
•
Idea is a noun.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Hey, I’ve just gotten a photograph of an elephant to
hang on my wall.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 142
You must make the leap from there.
Ranita The Frog Prince by Carmen Agra Deedy
What do you notice?
•
You is a (second person) pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
The verb is make.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
Must is a modal auxiliary.
•
The prepositional phrase is from there.
•
This is a simple, imperative sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
You may take the candy from the jar.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 143
She based her work on her belief that
ignorance is the greatest threat of all to this
resource that is so valuable to life on Earth.
Exploring the Undersea Territory by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
The verb, based, is past tense.
•
She is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence and the verb is based.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
Valuable is an adjective.
•
Greatest is a superlative adjective.
•
The nouns are work, belief, ignorance, resource and life.
•
So is an adverb.
•
Earth is a proper noun.
•
This is a demonstrative pronoun.
•
The prepositional phrases are on her belief, to this resource, to life, and on Earth
•
Her is a possessive pronoun.
•
This is a complex sentence because it has an independent clause, she based
her work on her belief, and a dependent clause, that ignorance is the greatest
threat of all to this resource that is so valuable to life on Earth.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She based her story on the idea that humor is the
greatest writing skill an author can use in a story.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 144
Over the course of Earle’s career of more
than fifty years, she spent more than 6,000
hours under water.
Exploring the Undersea Territory Exploring the Undersea Territory by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
The verb, spent, is past tense.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
She is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence and the verb is spent.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
More is a superlative adverb.
•
The nouns are career, hours, years, and water.
•
Over the course, of Earle’s career, and of more than fifty years are prepositional
phrases.
•
Earle’s is a possessive proper noun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Over the period of Theresa’s school day of more
than seven hours, she spent more than two hours
writing her story.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 145
Robert Ballard is best known as the explorer
who located the wreck of the luxury
steamship Titanic.
Exploring the Undersea Territory Exploring the Undersea Territory by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
Robert Ballard is a proper noun and the subject of the independent clause and
the verb phrase is is known.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
Best is a superlative adjective.
•
The nouns are explorer, wreck, and steamship.
•
Titanic is a proper noun.
•
Who is a relative pronoun.
•
This is a complex sentence: the independent clause is Robert Ballard is best
known as the explorer and the dependent clause is who located the wreck of the
luxury steamship Titanic.
Possible Teacher Imitation
William Lamb is best known as the architect who
designed the tallest building in New York City in
1929.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 146
Why are scientists devoting their lives to
learning about the least explored territory on
Earth - the ocean?
Exploring the Undersea Territory Exploring the Undersea Territory by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
The subject of the sentence is scientists.
•
The verb phrase, are devoting, is present tense.
•
This is an interrogative sentence.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
Least is a superlative adjective.
•
Explored is an adjective.
•
Earth is a proper noun.
•
Their is a possessive, plural pronoun.
•
The author chose to use a dash instead of a comma to create a dramatic pause.
•
To learning, about the least explored territory, and on earth are prepositional
phrases.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Why are teachers dedicating their lives to teaching
the future leaders of the United States – the
students?
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 147
“We know more about Mars than we know
about the oceans,” she said.
Adapted from Exploring the Undersea Territory Exploring the Undersea Territory
by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
The quote is present tense with the comma inside the quotation marks.
•
We is the subject of the quote, and know is the verb.
•
She said is a tag.
•
The article/adjective is the.
•
More is a comparative adverb.
•
Oceans is a noun.
•
Mars is a proper noun.
•
We and she are subjective pronouns.
Possible Teacher Imitation
“I know more about Earth than I know about the
stars,” he said.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 148
He looked scarier than a bald-headed,
fierce-eyed giant.
Adapted from Me and Uncle Romie by Claire Hartfield
What do you notice?
•
This verb looked is past tense.
•
He is a pronoun and the subject of the independent clause, and looked is the
verb.
•
Scarier is a comparable adjective.
•
The adjectives are bald-headed, fierce-eyed (both are hyphenated compound
words acting as one word)
•
Giant is a noun.
•
The article/adjective is a.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
The dependent clause is than a bald-headed, fierce-eyed giant (did). Did is
implied.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She looked happier than a fluffy-faced, bouncy
puppy.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 149
Then my belly felt tighter and I was
sleepier.
Adapted from Me and Uncle Romie by Claire Hartfield
What do you notice?
•
The compound verbs, felt and was, are past tense.
•
My is a possessive pronoun.
•
The subject is belly and the verb is felt in the first independent clause. The
subject is I and the verb is was in the second independent clause.
•
The comparative adjectives are tighter and sleepier.
•
This is a compound sentence because it has two independent clauses, then my
belly felt tighter, and, I was sleepier, that are connected with the coordinating
conjunction and.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Then my shoes felt lighter and I was running faster.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 150
“Well, it’s a little more complicated than
that, James,” Aunt Nanette said.
Adapted from Me and Uncle Romie by Claire Hartfield
What do you notice?
•
The verb, is, is present tense.
•
It’s is a contraction for it is.
•
It is the subject of the sentence and is (‘s) is the verb.
•
More is a comparative adjective.
•
Well is an interjection.
•
The direct quotation with the comma inside the quotation marks is a simple
sentence.
•
James and Aunt Nanette are proper nouns.
•
James is offset with a comma to show that he is being addressed directly.
Possible Teacher Imitation
“Ugh, my book is a little more difficult than I
thought,” said Grandmother Jane.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 151
Then there was one that was different
with smaller houses, flowers, and trains.
Adapted from Me and Uncle Romie by Claire Hartfield
What do you notice?
•
This verb, was, is past tense.
•
The subject of the independent clause is one, and the verb is was.
•
Smaller is a comparative adjective.
•
One is a singular noun.
•
Houses, flowers, and trains are plural nouns.
•
Then is an adverb.
•
This is a complex sentence that contains an independent clause, Then there was
one, and a dependent clause that was different with smaller houses, flowers, and
trains.
•
A list is separated by commas.
•
With smaller houses is a prepositional phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Then there was one that was smaller with tiny
zippers, buttons, and tabs.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 152
He sounded happier and said how they all
missed me.
Adapted from Me and Uncle Romie by Claire Hartfield
What do you notice?
•
The compound verbs, sounded and said, are past tense.
•
He is a singular, subjective pronoun and the subject of the independent clause.
•
Sounded and said is the compound verb of the independent clause.
•
Happier is a comparative adjective.
•
The pronouns are they (plural subjective) and me (singular objective).
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
He sounded happier and said is the independent clause and how they all missed
me is a dependent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She sounded sadder and said how they all wished I
was there.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 153
She loves to stand on the highest
rock-strewn spot with her face to the wind.
Wild Horses by Cris Peterson
What do you notice?
•
This verb loves is present tense.
•
The subject is she and the verb is loves.
•
Highest is a superlative adjective.
•
She is a singular subjective pronoun.
•
The article/adjective is he.
•
Her is a possessive pronoun.
•
The prepositional phrases are on the highest spot, with her face, and to the wind.
•
Rock-strewn (hyphenated compound word) is an adjective.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
He likes to sit on the highest grassy hill with his face
tilted up to the sun.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 154
On a smaller neighboring island, the
Chincoteague ponies graze.
The Wild Ponies of Chincoteague by Gregory Searle
What do you notice?
•
This verb graze is present tense.
•
The subject is ponies and the verb is graze.
•
Smaller is a comparative adjective.
•
Chincoteague is a proper noun acting as an adjective.
•
Island is a noun.
•
The article/adjectives are a and the.
•
The prepositional phrase is On a smaller neighboring island.
•
This is a simple sentence.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In the larger bordering town, the African elephant
roams free.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 155
In the deepest, darkest part of the night,
shadowy shapes emerge and tiptoe to the
Cheyenne River.
Adapted from Wild Horses by Cris Peterson
What do you notice?
•
This verbs, emerge and tiptoe are present tense.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
The subject is shapes.
•
Deepest and darkest are comparative adjectives.
•
Cheyenne River is a proper noun.
•
The Article/adjectives is the.
•
The prepositional phrases are In the deepest,darkest part; of the night; and to the
Cheyenne
•
Shadowy is an adjective.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In the darkest, highest part of the jungle, furry
creatures arise and swing to their nests in the Kabob
tree.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 156
Painted Lady’s pure white coat is splashed
with brown spots; she always seems to
know where the sweetest grasses are.
Wild Horses by Cris Peterson
What do you notice?
•
The subject is coat and the verb is is splashed in the first independent clause
(Painted Lady’s pure white coat is splashed with brown spots).
•
The subject is she and the verb is seems in the second independent clause (she
always seems to know).
•
Superlative adjective-sweetest
•
Painted Lady’s is a proper possessive noun acting as an adjective.
•
The sentence is a compound-complex sentence with two independent clauses
joined with a semicolon and one dependent clause, where the sweetest grasses
are.
•
The nouns are coat, spots, and grasses.
•
The article/adjectives is the.
•
The adjectives are pure, white, brown, and sweetest.
•
The prepositional phrase is with brown spots.
•
She is a subjective pronoun.
•
To know is an infinitive.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Dr. Little’s pure white lab coat is covered with little
mice; he always seems to know how to cheer his
patients up.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 157
Dayton’s worst fear was that the horses
would charge through the fence,
scattering across the prairie like dry leaves in a
whirlwind.
Wild Horses by Cris Peterson
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
The subject of the independent clause (Dayton’s worst fear was) is fear and the
verb is was.
•
The dependent clause is that the horses would charge through the fence.
•
Worst is a superlative adjective.
•
Dayton’s is a proper, possessive adjective.
•
Scattering across the prairie like dry leaves in a whirlwind is a simile.
•
The article/adjective are the and a
•
Through the fence, across the prairie, like dry leaves, and in a whirlwind are
prepositional phrases.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Charlie’s worst nightmare was that the monster
would creep out of his closet, slipping across the
room like a shadow.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 158
I doubt Ash could have looked more skeptical
if I’d told him the woods were full of talking
purple dinosaurs.
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
from page 82
What do you notice?
•
I is a singular subjective pronoun and the subject of the independent clause, and
doubt is the verb.
•
I’d is a contraction for “I had.”
•
More is a comparative adjective.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
The nouns are woods and dinosaurs
•
Purple is an adjective.
•
Ash is a proper noun.
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause, I doubt, and two
dependent clauses, (that) Ash could have looked more skeptical and if I’d told
him the woods were full of talking purple dinosaurs.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I doubt Penelope could have looked more frightened
if I’d told her that the woods were alive with snarling
grey wolves.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 159
If I was back in science class, then I’d unned
a lot more time than I’d planned.
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
from page 84
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
I is a singular, subjective pronoun.
•
I’d is a contraction for “I had.”
•
The subject is I and the verb is had unned of the independent clause, then I’d
unned a lot more time than I’d planned.
•
The dependent clause is If I was back in science class.
•
If is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS).
•
More is a comparative adjective.
•
It’s a declarative sentence.
•
The nouns are class and time.
•
Science is an adjective.
Possible Teacher Imitation
If I was already in the grocery store, then I’d
accomplished a lot more that day then I’d thought
possible.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 160
I had my hand wrapped around the greatest
power any human being had ever held.
Adapted from The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
from page 84
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence with an independent clause, I had my hand wrapped
around the greatest power, and a dependent clause (that) any human being had
ever held.
•
I is a pronoun and the subject of the independent clause.
•
Had wrapped is the verb phrase of the independent clause.
•
Greatest is a superlative adjective.
•
Around the greatest power is a prepositional phrase.
•
My is a possessive pronoun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I had my feet wrapped around the warmest puppy
any human being had ever felt.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 161
In the bright light of day, it looked even more
homemade than it had the night before.
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
from page 66
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
It is a singular, subjective pronoun and the subject of the independent clause (it
looked even more homemade).
•
Looked is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The dependent clause is than it had the night before.
•
The prepositional phrases are In the bright light and of day.
•
Nouns are light, day and night.
•
Adjectives are bright light (open compound word) and homemade.
•
More is a comparative adjective.
Possible Teacher Imitation
In the dark dusty bedroom, it smelled even more
sweet than it had before.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 162
It seemed like a much safer and more honest
way to help than using the unner had.
The Power of Un by Nancy Etchemendy
from page 123
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
It is a pronoun and the subject of the independent clause, it seemed like a much
safer and more honest way to help.
•
Seemed is the verb of the independent clause.
•
The dependent clause is than using the unner had.
•
The comparative adjectives much safer and more honest.
•
The article/adjectives are a and the.
•
The conjunction is and.
•
To help is an infinitive
Possible Teacher Imitation
It appeared to be a much easier and more realistic
way to travel than using a space ship.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 163
I came overland from the eastern United
States by wagon train.
The Gold Rush Game by William F. Wu
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
Overland is the adverb describing how I came.
•
I is a pronoun and the subject of the sentence came is the verb.
•
Eastern is an adjective describing the proper noun United States.
•
Wagon is an adjective describing the type of train.
•
From the eastern United States and by wagon train are prepositional phrases.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I journeyed oversees from western England by
cargo ship.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 164
Eric’s heart beat faster with excitement,
but he was also a little scared.
The Gold Rush Game by William F. Wu
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound, declarative sentence.
•
There are two independent clauses separated by a comma and a coordinating
conjunction but.
•
The first independent clause is Eric’s heart beat faster with excitement and the
next independent clause is but he was also a little scared.
•
The subject of the first independent clause is heart and the verb is beat.
•
The subject of the second independent clause is he and the verb is was.
•
Faster is the adverb in the first clause telling how the heart beat.
•
Little is the adverb in the second clause describing scared.
•
Eric’s is a possessive noun acting as an adjective.
•
The author uses the conjunction but to show two conflicting types of emotions.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Charlie’s feet tapped steadily to the beat, but he was
also a little depressed.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 165
Eric carefully pronounced his ancestor’s
name, remembering to put his family name
first.
The Gold Rush Game by William F. Wu
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
Eric is the subject and pronounced is the past-tense verb.
•
Carefully is the adverb telling how the name was pronounced.
•
Remembering is a participle beginning the participial phrase.
•
The comma separates the independent clause from the participial phrase.
•
Ancestor’s is a possessive noun acting as an adjective.
•
To put is an infinitive.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Sandy easily wrote about her grandmother,
reminiscing about summer visits.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 166
Gold is a valuable mineral that is thinly
spread throughout the earth.
The History of Gold Searching, Measuring, and Wearing by Howard Murphy
What do you notice?
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
This is a complex sentence which has an independent clause, Gold is a valuable
mineral, and a dependent clause that is thinly spread throughout the earth.
•
Gold is the subject of the independent clause; is is the verb.
•
Thinly is the adverb telling how it is spread throughout the earth.
•
Valuable is an adjective describing the type of mineral.
•
Throughout the earth is a prepositional phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Silver is a precious metal that is often used to make
jewelry.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 167
When he looked up, he saw Mr. Wong in
the river, desperately holding onto a tree
root with both hands.
The Gold Rush Game by William F. Wu
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
He is the subject of the independent clause and saw is the verb.
•
Desperately is the adverb telling how he was holding onto a tree root.
•
The first clause is a dependent clause, When he looked up. The second is
independent phrase (he saw Mr. Wong in the river).
•
Following the independent clause is a participial phrase, holding onto a tree root
with both hands.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
subordinating clause When he looked up.
•
In the river, onto a tree root, and with both hands are propositional phrases.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When she looked down from the roller coaster, she
saw her dad waving, excitedly capturing the moment
on video.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 168
Tucker whispered again, louder this time.
The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
Tucker is the subject of the sentence, and whispered is the verb.
•
Again is the adverb telling how he whispered and louder is an adverb
comparison.
•
Whispered is a past tense verb.
•
There is a comma separating the independent clause from the adverb modifier.
Possible Teacher Imitation
My music teacher sang again, softer this time.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 169
He dove headfirst into the matchbox.
The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
He is a personal pronoun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Dove is the past tense irregular verb.
•
Headfirst is the adverb describing how he dove.
•
Into the matchbox is a prepositional phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She jumped feet first into her comfy bed.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 170
Anyway, I worked more furiously to get loose,
and finally I made it.
Adapted from The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound, declarative sentence.
•
I is the singular subjective pronoun and the subject of the first independent
clause.
•
Worked is the verb.
•
In the first clause, more is the comparative adjective and furiously is the adverb
describing how he worked.
•
To get loose is an infinitive phrase.
•
There is a comma followed by the coordinating conjunction and separating the
two independent clauses.
•
The second independent clause has the adverb finally describing when I made it.
•
The subject of the second clause is I and the verb is made.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Anyway, I dashed more speedily to get away, and
eventually I made it.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 171
I wasn’t scared for myself, but I thought mice
were most afraid of cats.
Adapted fromThe Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound, declarative sentence.
•
I is the singular pronoun and subject of the first independent clause.
•
Wasn’t is a contraction for was not.
•
Was is the verb in the first clause.
•
In the second clause, the subject is I and the verb is thought.
•
Most is a superlative adverb telling how afraid mice are of cats.
•
There is a comma followed by the coordinating conjunction but separating the
two independent clauses.
Possible Teacher Imitation
I wasn’t scared for myself, but I thought raccoons
were afraid of people.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 172
Chester chirps more sweetly when he has an
audience.
Adapted from The Cricket in Times Square by George Seldon
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
Chester chirps more sweetly is the independent clause; when he has an
audience is a dependent clause.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) that begins the
dependent clause.
•
Chester is the subject of the independent clause chirps is the verb.
•
Sweetly is the adverb describing how he chirps.
•
More is the comparative adverb telling how sweetly he chirps.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Billy sings more sweetly when he is in the shower.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 173
When she’s not digging for bones, she’s
diving for sunken treasure.
Meet a Bone-ified Explorer by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
She is a singular pronoun and the subject of the independent clause and the verb
is is diving.
•
Not is the negative adverb telling us that the opposite of digging happened in the
sentence.
•
Sunken is an adjective describing the noun treasure.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
dependent clause When she’s not digging for bones.
•
There is a comma separating the dependant clause from the independent clause.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When he isn’t cleaning and polishing his car, he’s
out driving it.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 174
Hendrickson and her team have not found
the palace of Cleopatra yet.
Adapted from Meet a Bone-ified Explorer by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
The compound subject is Hendrickson and team.
•
Her is a possessive pronoun.
•
Have found is the verb.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Not is the negative adverb telling us that the opposite of found happened in the
sentence.
•
Cleopatra is a proper noun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Joshua and his friends have not eaten at Pizza for
All yet.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 175
Maybe you never considered it, but being a
paleontologist is an exciting job.
Adapted from Meet a Bone-ified Explorer by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a compound, declarative sentence.
•
You is the subjective pronoun and the subject of the first independent clause
(Maybe you never considered it).
•
Considered is the verb of the first independent clause
•
Maybe is an adverb.
•
Never is the negative adverb telling us that the opposite of considered happened
in the sentence.
•
The subject of the second independent clause (but being a paleontologist is an
exciting job) is being a paleontologist. The subject is a gerund phrase.
•
The verb is is.
•
Exciting is the adjective describing the noun job.
•
But is the coordinating conjunction that combines the two independent clauses.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Perhaps you have never thought about it, but being
a teacher is a rewarding profession.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 176
There wasn’t anything more exciting than
stumbling upon a complete specimen of a
tyrannosaurus rex skeleton.
Adapted from Meet a Bone-ified Explorer by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
This is a complex sentence.
•
The subject of the independent clause is anything and the verb is was (There
wasn’t anything more exciting).
•
Wasn’t is a contraction for was not. Was is a linking verb and not is an adverb.
•
More is a comparative adverb describing the degree of excitement.
•
The dependent clause is than stumbling upon a complete specimen of a
tyrannosaurus rex skeleton (was). Was is an “elipses” which means it is implied.
•
Complete is an adjective describing the noun specimen.
•
Tyrannosaurus rex is an adjective describing the type of skeleton found.
•
Upon a complete specimen and of a tyrannosaurus rex skeleton are prepositional
phrases.
Possible Teacher Imitation
There isn’t anything more horrifying than losing your
entire collection of baseball cards.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 177
No one anywhere had ever found such
complete remains of a 67 million year old
dinosaur.
Adapted from Meet a Bone-ified Explorer by Time for Kids
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
No one is the indefinite pronoun and subject of the sentence.
•
Had found is the verb.
•
Ever and anywhere are adverbs.
•
Complete and 67 million year old are adjectives describing the noun dinosaur.
•
Of a 67 million year old dinosaur is a prepositional phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
No one anywhere had ever seen such a complete
collection of antique tea sets.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 178
The newspapers and magazines were full
of stories about people trying to fly.
My Brothers’ Flying Machine by Jane Yolen
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
The compound subjects are newspapers and magazines.
•
The verb is were.
•
Of and about are prepositions and the prepositional phrases are of stories and
about people trying.
•
To fly is an infinitive.
•
Trying to fly is a participial phrase.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The televisions and radios were full of interviews of
people trying to ride unicycles.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 179
He winked at me, smiled, and said, “If you
are looking for perfect safety, sit on the fence
and watch the birds.”
My Brothers’ Flying Machine by Jane Yolen
What do you notice?
•
The quote is an imperative sentence.
•
The quote is a complex sentence with a dependent clause, If you are looking for
perfect safety and an independent clause (you) sit on the fence and watch the
birds.
•
There are commas in a series separating the verbs in the tag.
•
Said is the past tense of the word say.
•
On the fence and for perfect safety are prepositional phrases.
•
Perfect is the adjective describing the safety.
•
You is the understood subject of the quote and sit and watch is the compound
verb.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She waved her fingers at me, grinned, and chuckled,
“If you want lasagna like Olive Garden makes, go to
Olive Garden.”
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 180
When dear Mama died of tuberculosis, I
took over her role: keeping the house, making
the meals, and always giving the boys applause.
My Brothers’ Flying Machine by Jane Yolen
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
When dear Momma died of tuberculosis is a dependent clause.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) that begins the
dependent clause.
•
I took over her role: keeping the house, making the meals, and always giving the
boys applause is the independent clause.
•
There is a colon before a list.
•
The list is a series of gerund phrases: keeping the house, making the meals,
giving the boys applause, acting as appositives.
•
There is a comma separating the first dependant clause from the independent
clause.
•
Dear is an adjective describing the proper noun Mama.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When my grandfather died, Dad took over his role:
mowing Mama’s lawn, trimming trees, and taking her
to appointments.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 181
When it was finished, Orv and I went off
on a camping trip with a group of friends.
My Brothers’ Flying Machine by Jane Yolen
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
When it was finished is a dependent clause.
•
When is a subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) that begins the
dependent clause.
•
The compound subject of the independent clause is Orv and I.
•
The verb of the independent clause is went.
•
There is a comma separating the dependent clause from the independent clause.
•
On a camping trip, with a group, and of friends are prepositional phrases.
•
Camping is an adjective.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When we were done with school, Emma and I went
off on a cruise with our families.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 182
Success did not come as quickly as we
hoped.
Adapted from My Brothers’ Flying Machine by Jane Yolen
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
Success is the subject of the sentence.
•
Did come is the verb.
•
The independent clause is Success did not come as quickly and the dependent
clause is as we hoped (as is the subordinating conjunction that begins this
clause).
•
Not and quickly are adverbs.
Possible Teacher Imitation
The ballerina did not dance at gracefully as we
expected.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 183
As they chew the dirt, it mixes with their
saliva to form little bricks.
The Life and Times of the Ant by Charles Micucci
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
The sentence begins with a subordinating conjunction/dependent clause.
•
It mixes with their saliva to form little bricks is an independent clause.
•
As is the subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
subordinating clause As they chew the dirt.
•
They is a plural, subjective pronoun.
•
The subject is the objective pronoun it and the verb is mixes.
•
There is a comma separating the dependent clause from the independent clause.
•
With their saliva is a prepositional phrase.
•
To form is an infinitive.
•
Little is an adjective describing the bricks.
Possible Teacher Imitation
As they stir the mixture, the flour and water will form
clumps.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 184
All nests provide shelter from the weather
and a safe environment for the queen ant to lay
eggs.
The Life and Times of the Ant by Charles Micucci
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
And is a coordinating conjunction.
•
Nests is the subject and provide is the verb of the sentence.
•
From the weather and for the queen are prepositional phrases.
•
To lay eggs is an infinitive phrase.
•
Queen is an adjective describing the type of ant.
•
Safe is an adjective describing the type of environment.
Possible Teacher Imitation
All nests provide shelter from weather and a safe
environment for the mother eagle to lay eggs.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 185
As ants bring up dirt, they recycle nutrients
that help plants grow.
The Life and Times of the Ant by Charles Micucci
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
The sentence begins with a dependent clause.
•
As is the subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
dependent clause As ants bring up dirt.
•
There is a comma separating the dependent clause from the independent clause
they recycle nutrients.
•
The second dependent clause is that helps plants grow.
•
The subject of the independent clause is they and the verb is recycle.
•
They is a plural, subjective pronoun.
Possible Teacher Imitation
As air dries out the nest, they dig new tunnels into
the damp dirt.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 186
When ants first leave the nest, they stand
near the entrance, blocking strange ants from
entering.
The Life and Times of the Ant by Charles Micucci
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
The sentence begins with a dependent clause.
•
When is the subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
dependent clause When ants first leave the nest.
•
The subject of the independent clause, they stand near the entrance is they and
the verb is stand.
•
Near the entrance is a prepositional phrase.
•
There is a comma separating the dependant clause from the independent clause,
they stand near the entrance, and before the participial phrase, blocking strange
ants from entering.
•
They is a plural, subjective pronoun.
•
Strange is an adjective describing the type of ants.
Possible Teacher Imitation
When eagles first leave the nest, they branch near
the nest, watching for dangers nearby.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 187
Although they are the smallest ants, they
do all of the chores: clean the nest, gather
food, and defend the colony.
The Life and Times of the Ant by Charles Micucci
What do you notice?
•
This is a complex, declarative sentence.
•
Although is the subordinating conjunction (AAAWWWUBBIS) and begins the
subordinating clause, Although they are the smallest ants.
•
They do all of the chores is the independent clause.
•
Clean the nest, gather food, and defend the colony are appositives that restate
the chores.
•
They is the subject of the independent clause and do is the verb.
•
Of the chores is a prepositional phrase.
•
There is a colon before a list.
•
There are commas separating the list of chores.
•
They is a subjective pronoun.
•
Smallest is an adjective describing the type of ants.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Although eaglets are young, they do lots of things
adults do: eat fish, perch on branches, and take
flight.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 188
Victoria smeared a thick pink streak across
Rose’s mouth.
Adapted from The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming
from page 25
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
This is a simple sentence.
•
Victoria is the subject of the sentence.
•
Smeared is the verb.
•
Across Rose’s mouth is a prepositional phrase.
•
Thick and pink are adjectives describing the streak.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Isabelle painted a red clown nose on her little
brother.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 189
On his other side, Alicia made her beanbag
platypus waddle across the table.
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming
from page 54
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
On his other side and across the table are prepositional phrases.
•
Alicia is a proper noun and the subject of the sentence.
•
The verb of the sentence is made.
•
There is a comma separating the prepositional phrase and the independent
clause.
•
Beanbag is an adjective describing the platypus.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Out in the yard, Kareem made his toy plane fly
across the playground.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 190
Mr. Halfnote tapped his baton on his music
stand.
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming
from page 78
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
Mr. Halfnote is a proper noun and the subject of the sentence.
•
Tapped is a past tense verb.
•
On his music stand is a prepositional phrase.
•
His is a possessive pronoun.
•
Music is an adjective describing the stand.
Possible Teacher Imitation
Mrs. Grammarian tapped her pencil on her wooden
desk.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 191
“Then perhaps you would like to help in
the lunchroom,” suggested Mr. Jupiter.
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming
from page 99
What do you notice?
•
This is a declarative sentence.
•
The quote is a simple sentence.
•
The subject is you and the verb is would help.
•
The comma is inside the quotation marks separating it from the tag, suggested
Mr. Jupiter.
•
In the lunchroom is a prepositional phrase.
•
Perhaps is an adverb describing how he would like.
Possible Teacher Imitation
“Then maybe you would like to help make dinner,”
offered Grandma Ellie.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 192
She pounded the air with her fists, stomped
her feet, and hurled herself down the hall and
into the fourth-grade classroom.
The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming
from page 102
What do you notice?
•
This is a simple, declarative sentence.
•
This sentence has compound past tense verbs: pounded, stomped, and hurled.
•
The subject is the nominative pronoun she.
•
With her fists, down the hall, and into the fourth-grade classroom are
prepositional phrases.
•
Commas separate each series.
Possible Teacher Imitation
She turned red, clenched her fists, and grabbed her
mother’s leg in the hallway.
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 193
De ve lo p in g S e n te n c e Im ita tio n
“…grammar is a tool to help the reader and writer ‘see.’ Grammar focuses us in on the
writer’s point and ‘zooms in on’ all the details that help enhance the point.”
Jeff Anderson, Mechanically Inclined
Advisor – Dr. Lynn Spadaccini, Director of Elementary Programs
Coordinator – Theresa Phelps, Elementary Writing Resource Teacher
Writing Team
JoAnn Edson, South Lake Elementary
Patti Henning, Longleaf Elementary
Brandy Kilcommons, Harbor City Elementary
Lainey Newell, Columbia Elementary
Contributing Editor and Consultant – Marjorie Bloom
Developing Sentence Imitation
Page 194