The Overlooked Power of Complete Sentences
High-Impact Tip #40
The Overlooked Power of Complete Sentences
Make a claim… State an observation… Ask a question… Construct an argument… Cite evidence…
What do all these Common Core Standards have in common?
They can only be answered in a complete sentence!
State and national standards have fundamentally increased the sophistication and complexity of language required of students on their yearly assessments.
Most districts have adopted new curriculum to address the changes in content, but have made few if any changes to how students use language to articulate their knowledge of the content.
It is vital for students to consistently communicate their thinking in complete sentences, just like they will need to on their yearly achievement tests.
Principals
Walk around your campus and listen. Do the teachers ask students to answer in complete sentences?
Sit in each classroom for three to five minutes. Draw a simple t-chart on an index card and tally the number of complete sentences v. incomplete sentences you hear. How much of the discourse happening across your campus matches the requirements of assessment?
Coaches
Teachers are keenly attuned to listening for accuracy. Most are not actively listening for complete sentences.
Sit in each classroom for five to 10 minutes. Choose a place near the teacher where you can be easily seen. Choose a signal that represents an incomplete sentence. Each time a student responds using an incomplete sentence, signal the teacher to go back and require a complete sentence.
Teachers
Make complete sentences one of your classroom expectations.
When students do not respond in a complete sentence, use a non-verbal cue and have students rephrase their response in the form of a sentence. You will be amazed how quickly this new normal accelerates a student’s ability to formulate their thoughts in the form of sentences.