Jacob Charlebois' Sentence Structure Metacognition/Revision Lesson

[Jacob Charlebois]

Hi, all. My lesson revolves around the students' understanding/processing of the sentence structure choices they tend to make as writers, the effects that those choices have on their personal styles and voices, and the revision processes that will aid them in improving their style. Essentially, after reviewing the four major sentence types and providing a variety of models demonstrating ways these sentence types can be achieved, I have the students classify the sentence type of each of the sentences in a piece of writing they've done. When they've done this, I have them chart the results in a bar graph. Once they analyze their own personal choices as writers, we work on sentence combining techniques that will help them achieve more of a balanced and fluid style. Students then rewrite the paper with their new choices.

I know this sounds way simple, but I've really had a lot of success with this as both a revision/sentence structure experience. The key component here is that the students know and understand something about their habits as writers, which I see as key to breaking into new territory.

[Mary Lynn]

Hi Jacob
I like the idea of having students graph the sentence types they use in a piece of writing. I think it brings awareness and I think it's a great idea! At first I thought, "that doesn't apply to me -I teach third grade." However, I could actually see how looking at a writing sample, either one of the students, or from a literature selection, and taking it apart ,with the whole class, would be a great lesson. Then I could have kids try the same activity on one of their own pieces. I am focusing on revision in my demo., so I am tuned into ways to make writing better. This might be an idea for me to try, thanks!
Mary

[Jacob Charlebois]

Happy Memorial Day Weekend, Mary (and all). Yes, I think this lesson is applicable to any grade level where sentence construction and analysis take place. Most importantly, though, I feel that any lesson or process that gets the students to better understand themselves as writers is important. I find that when I do this lesson, the subsequent sentence level editing on any given paper is more focused. The students know their own tendencies and thus, what to focus on.

Be well. Jacob

Mary Lynn said:

Hi Jacob
I like the idea of having students graph the sentence types they use in a piece of writing. I think it brings awareness and I think it's a great idea! At first I thought, "that doesn't apply to me -I teach third grade." However, I could actually see how looking at a writing sample, either one of the students, or from a literature selection, and taking it apart ,with the whole class, would be a great lesson. Then I could have kids try the same activity on one of their own pieces. I am focusing on revision in my demo., so I am tuned into ways to make writing better. This might be an idea for me to try, thanks!
Mary

[Ray Hirschman]

Jacob! You da Man! Revision is sooooo difficult for our little rascals. Once they place that last period, they hit print and the whole experience is a memory. Also, this doesn't sound simple at all. I appreciate the methodical structure you've created to help them metacognate on their writing "choices." It's very cool, and I look forward to seeing your demo.

My experience has been that the students can-to varying degrees-identify they four sentence types, but they are unable to make meaning: sentence combining, fluency, etc.

Rock on, Dude!

Eddie