Building a WOW! Sentence Exercise

Are you tired of your students writing basic sentences like “The dog sat”? So were we! That’s why we created this resource that allows your students to practice turning those boring sentences into WOW! sentences. This activity is available in two different formats:

• Printable Resource – In this version, students will choose a boring sentence and use the Dressing Up a Sentence template to build a WOW! sentence.
• Interactive Resource – In this version, students will complete the activity inside a Google Slides setting. This version has 60 different sentences to choose from!

Scaffolding and Extension Tips + More Sentence Building Exercises

This resource can be used for individualized practice, especially if you’ve got fast finishers! You can also use this activity to create full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, comprehension assessments, and more.

Challenge students who already understand the concept to expand their sentences even further by using more descriptive and vivid words!

Scoot Activity

Place the sentence cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a piece of paper. Assign each student a number to start. Give students an appropriate amount of time to turn the boring sentence into a WOW! sentence, and then say, “SCOOT.” At this time, the students will rotate to the next sentence card. Continue in this manner until students have made it through all of the cards.

Show Me!

Give each student a mini dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker. Project each sentence card on the board and have your students write a WOW! sentence on their board. When everyone has written down a sentence, say, “Show Me.” Students will flip their boards, allowing you to see who needs extra support with this skill. Why not choose a student each time to read their new and improved sentence to the class!

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Make photocopies of the blank Dressing Up a Sentence template for students to complete. Slip the template into a dry-erase sleeve for them to use with a dry-erase marker to make the activity more sustainable. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access.

Keep the sentence cards out of pockets or under desks: cut out the cards and punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring.

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A blank Dressing Up a Sentence template and three blank sentence cards are also included with this download.

Looking to help your students become better sentence writers? Start here:

teaching resource Build a Sentence Card Game A fun and engaging card game that focuses on building simple sentences that include a subject, verb, and object. teaching resource Roll and Write – Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences Practice writing simple, compound, and complex sentences with our Roll and Write activity. teaching resource Successful Sentences – Sentence Construction Cards Word cards for constructing complex sentences.