Where Phrases

    For the Elementary/Middle School Teacher

From Talking to Writing:

Strategies for Scaffolding Expository Expression

   A Landmark School Teaching Guide
   Terrill M. Jennings and Charles W. Haynes

    © 2002 Landmark School, Inc. and Terrill M. Jennings and Charles W. Haynes
  

To start the lesson, the teacher writes an expanded kernel sentence framework across the blackboard: article plus noun plus action verb plus –ed plus where phrase. Note that the verb is in the past tense to teach inflection.

The teacher hands out the expanded kernel sentence framework. A sample of the framework and a sample script follow.

Script:

           Teacher:  We have been working with prepositions, or position words, that tell the

               exact location of a picture tht depicts cowboys watching a herd of cattle on the plains. 

               Let's brainstorm a list of nouns before we compose the sentences. We'll go around the

               room until we have six nouns. As soon as I write each noun on the board, you copy

               it onto your paper.  Be sure you write the word under the correct heading. I'll come

               around and check your work. Bill, let's begin with you, and then each of you will follow

               in turn.

               Bill:  Let’s see. Cattle. (The teacher writes “cattle” under “noun.”  The class copies it.)

               Sam: Sky. (The teacher writes “sky” under “noun.” The class copies it.)

               Theresa: Cowboys. (The teacher writes “cowboys” under “noun.” The class copies it.)

               Teacher: Nice work. Let’s go around one more time.

The class brainstorms three more nouns and the teacher records them as above.

              Teacher: It is important to listen as each of you orally rehearses your

               sentence. Be sure you wait until each sentence is complete before you fill

               “the,” “a,” or “an”?

              Bill: I want to begin with “the cattle.”

              Teacher: Why did you select “the”?

              Bill:  There are many cattle in this picture. I have to say “the” to refer to

               them.

              Teacher: (Writes “the” under “article.”) Good thinking, Bill. What did the

               cattle do in this picture?

              Bill: The cattle ate grass.

              Teacher: Yes, that’s true, but what is a more specific word than “ate”?

               Watch my jaw. (Makes chewing gesture)

              Bill: Chewed grass.

              Teacher: (Writes “chewed grass” under “verb.”) Where did the cattle

                  chew the grass?

              Bill: On the prairie.

              Teacher:  (Writes the phrase in the framework.) That’s right. Bill, read       

              the sentence back. Then you may all copy it.

The class uses the same procedure to produce the rest of the expanded kernel sentences. Students use the nouns they select from the picture. The teacher guides sentence production with cueing strategies and guiding questions.

Use the printer icon on the flashpaper below to print the Expanded Kernel Sentence Framework. For best results set your printer to Landscape.

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