Identifying Different Kinds of Sentences - The Peacock’s Feathers

Lesson Plan for Grades 6-8
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WNET

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U.S. Department of Education

Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.

Resources for this Lesson:

Peacock

Peacock
(Video)

 

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Overview

Students watch a video segment about peacocks. Then, using a chart, they identify sentence types within a short paragraph and complete a sentence transformation worksheet.

Why is this an important concept?

Students express themselves more clearly in writing when they learn how to identify and write the four basic types of sentences. They are also able to place the appropriate punctuation at the end of a sentence, making the ideas they are expressing in their writing better understood by the reader.

Grade Level:

3-6

Suggested Time

(1-2) 50-minute periods

Media Resources

Materials

The Lesson

Part I: Learning Activity

1. Check for prior knowledge by asking students to describe peacocks. Ask students which peacocks have the longest and most beautiful feathers, males or females. Write this question on the board, and take student responses.

2. Ask students what type of sentence is written on the board. Explain to students there are four different types of sentences: declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory. Also explain that each type has a purpose. Distribute the Sentence Identification Chart to each student, or write the following on the board or a transparency:

  • Declarative sentences tell something or make a statement. They use a period at the end of each sentence.
  • Interrogative sentences ask a question. They have a question mark at the end of each sentence.
  • Imperative sentences make a command or tell someone to do something. They also end with a period.
  • Exclamatory sentences express a feeling and use an exclamation point at the end of a sentence.

3. Provide students with an example of each type of sentence.

4. Next, tell students they are going to watch a video segment about peacocks. While watching, ask students to decide whether the peacock with the longest feathers is male or female. Also ask students to pay attention to the different types of sentences spoken by the narrator.

5. Play the video segment “Peacocks.” Take student answers and discuss.

6. Next, distribute the Sentence Identification Chart to each student (if you have not already done so). Write a sentence reflecting student answers. For example, "The peacock with the longest feathers is male." Using the chart, ask students to identify the sentence type: declarative, imperative, interrogative, or exclamatory. Ask students what clues they used to make their decision.

Part II: Assessment

1. Tell students they are going to read a passage about peacocks. They will read each sentence and decide if it is declarative, interrogative, imperative, or exclamatory.

2. Distribute the Peacock Sentence Identification Worksheet to each student. Students use the Sentence Identification Chart to complete the handout.

3. Next, distribute the Sentence Transformation Worksheet. Students transform sentences from one type to another per instructions.

4. Use the Peacock Rubric to assess student skill acquisition.

For Students Who Need Additional Help: