Generative Sentences
"Generative Sentences" is a great literacy strategy in which students deepen their understanding of the vocabulary through specific and strategic sentence-making. This template allows teachers to quickly implement generative sentences in the classroom through review, pre-teaching vocabulary, anticipatory sets, and informal assessments (do now, exit slip, check for understanding), both pre-planned and on-the-fly.
When creating the sentences, students must strategically satisfy the requirements of that sentence by using the specified vocabulary word(s), adhering to the number of words allowed in the sentence, and ending with the correct punctuation. To increase the buy-in, starting with a fun generative sentence and then building in content vocabulary is best.
Take a look at the examples below -
Example One:
Vocabulary Word(s) - Pizza
Placement(s) - Last word
# of Words in Sentence - 5+ (5 or more)
Punctuation: ! (exclamation point)
Generative Sentence - Every Friday, my parents and I order pizza!
Example Two:
Vocabulary Word(s) - Heterotroph
Placement(s) - 2nd Placement
# of Words in Sentence - 5 only
Punctuation: . (period)
Generative Sentence - A heterotroph is a consumer.
References:
Frey, Nancy et al. This Is Balanced Literacy, Grades K-6. United States, SAGE Publications, 2019.