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Syntax and Sentence Structure
Big Emotions, Big Sentences!

Summary

In this literacy centre, designed for grades 1 to 3, students will learn to recognize and write exclamatory sentences. They will explore how these sentences convey excitement, surprise, sadness, or strong emotions by reacting to scenarios and illustrations. They will write their exclamatory sentences based on prompts and pictures.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this centre, students will be able to:
  • Identify exclamatory sentences;
  • Understand the purpose of exclamatory sentences to express strong emotions;
  • Write their exclamatory sentences based on scenarios or illustrations.

Material to Prepare

  • Appendix A: Scenario Cards
  • Appendix B: Illustration Cards
  • Appendix C: Sentence Starters or Prompts to Guide Students (optional)
  • Writing sheets
  • Pencils and erasers

Procedure

Introduction to Exclamatory Sentences
  • Remind students that exclamatory sentences express strong emotions like excitement, surprise, joy, anger, or fear.
  • Share a few examples with the class using an Example Chart:
    • “Wow! I can’t believe it!”
    • “Hooray! We won the game!”
    • “Oh no! I lost my homework!”
Instructions for Students
Step 1: React to a Scenario
  • Pick a Scenario Card or Illustration Card from the stack. The scenario might describe an exciting event (e.g., “You find a treasure chest!”) or show a picture of something surprising.
  • Look at the scenario or picture and think about how you would feel. What would you say if you were in that moment?
Step 2: Write Your Exclamatory Sentences
  • Write two or three exclamatory sentences on your writing sheet or notebook describing your reaction to the scenario or illustration.
  • Remember: Exclamatory sentences always end with an exclamation point (!).
  • Example Scenario:
    • “You found a treasure chest in the forest.”
    • Exclamatory Sentences:
      • “Wow! I found the treasure!”
      • “I can’t believe this is real! I’m rich!”
Step 3: Share with a Partner

Once you’ve written your exclamatory sentences, share them with a partner. Read your sentences out loud with excitement and emotion, just like you would if you were really in that situation.

DIFFERENTIATION: Observing and providing support during analysis.

Possible Observation Intervention Strategies
Students may not grasp when or why they need to use exclamatory sentences, or they may write statements or questions instead of exclamatory sentences.
  • Provide additional examples of exclamatory sentences. Ask questions to guide students: “How would you feel if you found a treasure chest?” or “What would you shout if you saw a shooting star?”
  • Offer a sentence starter: “Wow! I can’t believe _______!”
  • Encourage students to read their sentences aloud with emotion, making the connection between their written sentences and how they would actually react.
Students find it hard to imagine how to react emotionally to the given scenario or illustration.
  • Ask students to imagine themselves in the scene. What emotions would they feel if they were really there?
  • Use visual and verbal prompts to help them engage: “If this was really happening, would you be scared? Excited? Happy?”
  • Provide a sentence starter to get them thinking emotionally (e.g., “Oh no! _______” for fear or “Hooray! _______” for excitement).
Students repeatedly use simple or repetitive expressions (e.g., always using “Wow!”) and may not expand their vocabulary to express different emotions.
  • Provide a list of alternative exclamatory expressions (e.g., “Amazing!” “This is incredible!” “Help!” “That’s unbelievable!”).
  • Encourage students to use different words for each sentence and challenge them to replace “Wow” with more specific language that matches the emotion they are trying to convey.
Students might overuse exclamation points, adding them to sentences that don’t express strong emotions.
  • Explain that exclamation points are special and are only used to express strong feelings.
  • Have students revise their sentences and decide whether the exclamation point is necessary. Ask: “Is this something you would shout or say with excitement? Or is it just a normal sentence?”

Appendixes

Download the Appendixes document

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