Activities to Teach Students to Combine Sentences: Subjects and Predicates
As students progress in their writing skills, they will need to learn how to combine sentences to create more complex and meaningful sentences. One aspect of this skill involves combining the subjects and predicates of two sentences into one sentence. The following activities can help teach students this important writing technique.
1. Scavenger Hunt
Create a list of simple sentences that include both a subject and predicate. Place the sentences on different cards and hide them around the classroom. Divide the students into pairs and ask them to find as many sentence cards as they can. Once they have found a card, they need to read the sentence and then search for another card with a subject or predicate that can be combined with the first sentence. After combining the sentences, they can write the new sentence on their answer sheet.
2. Night at the Museum
Create a museum exhibit by placing pictures or items around the classroom. Each item should have a card with a sentence that describes the item. For example, a picture of a lion could have a card that reads, “The lion roared loudly.” Divide the students into groups and ask them to walk around the museum exhibit. They should find two sentences that have a common subject or predicate and combine them into one sentence. They can write the new sentence on a piece of paper and share it with their group.
3. Mad Libs
Create a Mad Libs-style worksheet with a short story that includes several simple sentences. Some of the sentences should have matching subjects or predicates. For example, one sentence could read, “The cat purred softly,” and another could read, “The dog barked loudly.” Ask the students to fill in the blanks with new subject or predicate words that can combine the two sentences into one. When they have completed the worksheet, they can share their new sentences with the class.
4. Sentence Challenge
Write several simple sentences on the board that have subjects and predicates. Ask the students to come up with a new sentence that combines two or more of the sentences on the board. They should try to create the longest sentence they can, while still maintaining correct grammar and clarity. Once they have created their sentence, they can share it with the class and see who has the longest sentence.
5. Sports Commentary
Show a short video clip of a sports game or activity, such as soccer or basketball. Ask the students to write down several simple sentences that describe what they see in the video. For example, “The player kicked the ball,” or “The referee blew his whistle.” After they have written their sentences, ask them to combine two or more sentences into one by using a common subject or predicate. They can then share their new sentences with the class.
By providing students with activities that encourage them to combine sentences using common subjects and predicates, they will develop more varied and sophisticated writing skills. These activities can make the learning process fun and engaging, inspiring students to take pride in their ability to create more complex sentences.