Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing Strategy

FUNDAMENTALS IN THE SENTENCE WRITING STRATEGY (recommended for GRADES 2+)

Just because a sentence may be “simple” doesn’t mean it’s easy to write. Now you can shed some light on the subject (and the verb) of Simple Sentences with this effective instructional program. Students will learn basic grammar terms as well as how to write and check several types of Simple Sentences.

Instruction in Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing Strategy is appropriate for students who need a thorough grounding in basic concepts and terms, such as "subject," "verb," or "infinitive." Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing Strategy can be used as a developmental writing curriculum or as a quick set of lessons to improve students' understanding of these concepts.

Once students have that basic understanding, they may move on to Proficiency in the Sentence Writing Strategy. Together these components constitute a strategy for recognizing and writing 14 sentence patterns with four types of sentences: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex.

In studies, students who have learned the Sentence Writing Strategy consistently produce written products that contain 100 percent complete sentences and at least 40 percent complicated sentences. Their written products include more words, more sentences, and a greater variety of sentences than those of low-achieving students who have not learned the strategy.

There are multiple products associated with this strategy. Instructor materials are available through the KUCRL Shop.  Student materials are published by Edge Enterprises, Inc. 

Please note that professional development, coaching, and infrastructure support are essential components to effective implementation of SIM instructional tools and interventions. It is highly recommended that you work with a SIM professional developer. See the SIM Event list for sessions or email simpd@ku.edu to learn more.

Author(s): Jean B. Schumaker, with Jan B. Sheldon

Publication Info: University of Kansas, 1998 (revised 2023)

Resources:

RESEARCH ARTICLES

• Schumaker, J.B., & Deshler, D.D. (2009). Adolescents with learning disabilities: Are we selling them short? Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, 24(2), 81-92. The authors review the evolution of SIM writing strategies and research that shows students with learning disabilities can learn and successfully use writing strategies under the right instructional conditions.
• Schumaker, J.B., & Deshler, D.D. (2003). Can students with LD become competent writers? Learning Disability Quarterly, 26(2), 129-141. This article summarizes a programmatic line of R&D work that has focused on learning strategies instruction as a method for improving the writing performance of students with disabilities within the context of the general education curriculum as well as on district- and state-wide writing assessments.
• Oas, B.K., Schumaker, J.B., & Deshler, D.D. (1995). Learning strategies: Tools for learning to learn in middle and high schools. Secondary education and beyond: Providing opportunities for students with learning disabilities. Pittsburgh, PA: Learning Disabilities Association of America. This article uses student case descriptions to illustrate how a variety of learning strategies--including the Self-Advocacy Strategy, Sentence Writing Strategy, and Paraphrasing Strategy--might be implemented with students who experience an array of learning disabilities characteristics.

An accessible version of the documents on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact the KU CRL Professional Development Research Institute, at simpd@ku.edu to request the document be made available in an accessible format.