The SIM Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing Strategy (PENS, MARK)
Strategy Parameters
- Genre: Sentence Level
- Grade Level: Grades 2-12
- Writing Process: Drafting and Revising
At-A-Glance
Fundamentals in the Sentence Writing lessons teach students essential grammar concepts and terms and a strategy to write and check four types of simple sentences, serving as either a foundational curriculum or a quick refresher to strengthen understanding. Lessons embed the stages of instruction from the Strategic Instruction Model (SIM).
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Best Practices
- Follow the guidance provided in the Instructor’s Manual. To order in the KUCRL Store: https://kucrl.company.site/products/Fundamentals-in-the-Sentence-Writing-Strategy-Instructors-Manual-2023-Edition-Printed-Manual-p658223062. To order via Purchase Order: https://sim.ku.edu/kucrl-order-forms
- Use the Learning Sheets in the Student Materials manual in combination with the Instructor’s Manual.
- Promote generalization and transfer of the strategy steps with all writing across the school day.
- Use the student cue cards (provided in the manual) as posters and handouts for other teachers in the school to reinforce strategy use.
Common Pitfalls
- Don’t teach only PENS MARK steps without using the stages of instruction provided in the manual lessons.
- Don’t skip the teacher model entirely or don’t model with the think aloud part (demonstrating only).
- Don’t overlook the importance of feedback during guided and independent practice.
- Don’t have students complete additional learning sheets even after they have achieved mastery (harms motivation for learning).
Implementation Tips
- Before beginning instruction, it’s important to give a pre-test of students’ sentence writing skills and knowledge of concepts, such as subject and verb.
- Station teaching can help teachers provide more targeted feedback during independent practice.
- The lessons have been successfully taught with large classes taught by one teacher or two co-teachers as well as in resource settings as part of tiered systems of supports.
