Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will understand the concept of parallel structure in writing. They will be able to identify examples of parallel structure in sentences and create their own sentences using this technique, making their writing clearer and more enjoyable to read.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Pencil or colored markers
- Whiteboard or large paper for demonstration
- Examples of sentences with and without parallel structure (written out by the teacher)
Before the lesson, prepare some examples of sentences that demonstrate parallel structure and some that do not. Familiarize yourself with the concept so you can explain it clearly.
Activities
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Sentence Matching Game:
Write several sentences on pieces of paper, some with parallel structure and some without. Mix them up and ask the student to match the sentences that have similar structures. This will help them see the difference visually.
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Parallel Structure Art:
Ask the student to draw a picture that represents a sentence using parallel structure. For example, if the sentence is "I like to swim, to run, and to bike," they can draw themselves doing each activity. This combines creativity with learning!
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Story Time:
Read a short story together and pause to find examples of parallel structure. Discuss how it makes the writing more rhythmic and enjoyable. Afterward, ask the student to come up with their own short story using parallel structure.
Talking Points
- "Do you know what parallel structure means? It’s when we use the same pattern of words to show that two or more ideas are connected!"
- "Let’s look at this sentence: 'I like to read, to write, and to draw.' Can you hear how all the phrases start with 'to'? That’s parallel structure!"
- "Why do you think using parallel structure is important? It helps our sentences flow better and makes them easier to understand!"
- "Can you find a sentence in your favorite book that has parallel structure? Let’s read it together!"
- "Now, let’s make our own sentence using parallel structure! How about: 'I want to play soccer, to ride my bike, and to go swimming.' What do you think?"
- "If we change it to: 'I want to play soccer, biking, and swim,' it sounds a bit funny, right? That’s why we need to keep the structure the same!"
- "Parallel structure can also make our writing sound more powerful. Let’s try saying a sentence with and without it!"
- "Great job today! Remember, using parallel structure can make your writing more fun and exciting!"