Activity Description

Preparation:

1. Write a fill-in-the-blank sentence on chart paper in a way that is visible to all students
    a. This sentence should be simple and formulaic, for example: “_________________(name of student)
    likes to _______________(activity).”
2. Make copies of the fill-in-the-blank worksheet for each student

Implementation:

1. Invite students to sit in front of the board 
2. Take turns asking students a question that will fill in the blank and write responses on the chart paper
    a. For example, “Sally, what do you like to do?” “Sally likes to jump.”
    b. Sound the words out as you write to enhance students’ awareness that letters are used to represent
    sounds in spoken language
    c. Identify the importance of capitalization and punctuation as you begin and end your sentence
3. Invite the class to read each sentence as you point to each word 
    a. Draw students’ attention to the letter-sound correspondences by having them sound out words and
    teaching them to blend letters together
4. Have students return to their seats and complete a fill-in-the-blank worksheet using inventive spelling
    a. Provide individual assistance as necessary
    b. If students finish early, they may turn the paper over and draw an accompanying picture of
    themselves doing what they like to do

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Have pictures of various words available to match the verbs (for example, pictures of students running, jumping, playing) to assist in memory recall and ability to pair words with pictures
- Have students act out the things that they like to do

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Review the concept of "fill in the blanks"
- Have various verbs written on paper to assist visual learners in choosing a word (for example, jump, run, play, eat) and to activate retrieval of information
- Help students fill in the first line on the worksheet

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Encourage students to say/write about something that they enjoy doing at home or in their country of origin

Related References

Source:
O'Connor, R., Notari-Syverson, A., & Vadasy, P.F. (1998). Ladders to Literacy  A Kindergarten Activity Book. Paul H. Brookes Publishing.

Evidence:
Combs, M. (1984). Developing concepts about print with patterned sentence stories. The Reading Teacher, 38, 178-181.