HomeEducationUsing Sentence Stems to...

Using Sentence Stems to Power Up Your Literacy Lessons

Literacy instruction is an educational topic that’s practically overflowing with research and resources. But that abundance of options can be difficult to sift through, especially for new teachers still getting the hang of their profession. 

It doesn’t help that more recent insights about literacy instruction tend to overemphasize the importance of phonics. Though phonics is an integral part of a comprehensive literacy program, it’s not the only part. Too much time spent on phonics can cause teachers to lose sight of an overarching goal: helping young students become proficient writers and fluent readers who communicate with clarity, evaluate ideas, and construct meaning from texts. 

Phonics practices like rote memorization of syllable types overlook much more valuable research about how automatic reading develops. Decoding alone is not enough. It is the integration of sound-based (phonological), visual (orthographic), and meaning-based (semantic) information in the brain that builds and supports reading fluency. Research also suggests that explicit vocabulary instruction supports comprehension development, and vice versa; there is a reciprocal relationship between the two.

An African American elementary school students stands in front of her classroom and is preparing to talk about her project to her classmates.

The good news is, there’s a way for teachers to integrate the aforementioned word components (meaning orthographic, phonological, and semantics) while still including phonics as a worthwhile portion of a literacy program. The key? Using sentence stems that contain targeted vocabulary words. Sentence stems offer a beneficial scaffold for students—especially those who struggle with written expression—and can be easily adapted to fit teacher needs, making them an invaluable tool.

Sentence stems offer an opportunity to bridge the big five of literacy: vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, phonemic awareness, and phonetics. As students write using sentence stems, they are actively encoding words and applying their phonemic awareness skills, while transferring their understanding of phonics concepts. Vocabulary and comprehension skills are strengthened, and fluency is practiced as students reread their sentences out loud. This holistic approach pays dividends for teachers and students alike.

Start with Phonics and Phonemic Awareness

Before incorporating sentence stems into instruction, teachers should present a phonics concept, related vocabulary words, and chances to practice phonemic awareness. 

A female teacher of Middle Eastern Decent, bends down beside the desk of a male student as she helps him memorize the countries on a World map. The map is rolled out on the desk in front of the two as they point to places and work together to memorize them.

For example, a teacher might discuss how the long “a” sound is sometimes spelled by vowel teams “ai” and “ay.” From there, the teacher could facilitate inquiry into where students believe each vowel team shows up most often in words (in this case, “ai” in the beginning or middle of syllables and “ay” at the end) and offer opportunities for students to manipulate the sounds in related words. The teacher would then provide Tier 2 vocabulary words (words that span many academic areas) where both “ai” and “ay” are present. From these instructions, students would be able to bridge from phonics and phonemic awareness to vocabulary and comprehension.

Bridge to Vocabulary and Comprehension

In the above example, words like dainty, prevail, and delay might be used. The teacher could continue their lesson by drawing attention to the word meanings, synonyms and antonyms, pronunciation, phonemes, syllables, and morphemes (when appropriate). Examples and nonexamples of the targeted words, as well as shades of meaning and visually similar words, might also be explored.

Time for Sentence Stems

After the teacher helped their students understand a word like dainty, they could transition to independent practice. The teacher might give students a partial sentence, such as, “The flower was dainty, so it…” The students’ comprehension of the word dainty is a prerequisite to successfully writing a complete sentence with dainty included therein.

A young female University student of African decent, stands behind a peer and leans in as she tries to help her classmate with his studies. They are both dressed casually and are among a group sitting at the table all studying together for class.

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are a great teacher resource for creating sentence stems that are dependent on the students’ knowing the meaning of the featured vocabulary word. A possible AI prompt could be something like, “Write sentence stems for the following vocabulary words: dainty, prevail, delay. Write the sentence stems so that the student must know the meaning of the vocabulary word to complete the sentence.” 

Here are two such sentence stem examples: “Even though the game was difficult, our team believed we could prevail because…” and “We had to delay our picnic because…” 

Additional instruction on the conjunctions because, but, and so—and varying sentences that can include each—would take this lesson one step further in supporting students’ knowledge of sentence construction and meaning.

Fluency Check

Students need ample opportunities to read their written works—including those created with the help of sentence stems—out loud to a teacher or a peer. Rereading written work out loud promotes self-editing and increases reading fluency. After students write their sentences using proper writing conventions, then reread to themselves to make sure their sentences make sense, they can share their sentences with a partner. 

A young teacher of Eurasian ethnicity points to a lesson board as a student stands, learning in an elementary school classroom.

Bridge the Big Five and Build Confidence

Rereading sentences with a partner builds confidence and strengthens relationships with peers. This final step offers another opportunity to encounter the target word in context, which integrates phonological, visual, and semantic information; reinforces the mapping of the word in the brain; and lays the final stone to bridge the big five of literacy. 

Cre: Jamie Nanfara

Source: https://www.edutopia.org/article/sentence-stems-tips-classroom 

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

More from Author

Women Leader Forums 2025: The birth of leadership icons of the new era

Women Leader Forums 2025 was more than just a platform to...

Icons on the lips: Classical lipstick lines writing the history of beauty

Fashion changes with the seasons, trends come and go, but lipstick...

Dandy Style: Elegant whisper amid the symphony of time

At the moment when the Met Gala 2025 lit up the...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Women Leader Forums 2025: The birth of leadership icons of the new era

Women Leader Forums 2025 was more than just a platform to honor women; it marked a milestone in redefining the role of women in shaping social value. There, beauty was no longer a destination but the starting point for a generation of leaders guided by intelligence, inner...

Icons on the lips: Classical lipstick lines writing the history of beauty

Fashion changes with the seasons, trends come and go, but lipstick remains the one timeless icon in the hearts of beauty lovers. More than just a cosmetic, it’s a daily essential for women — a voice, a statement, an extension of identity. Amidst countless dazzling choices, some...

Dandy Style: Elegant whisper amid the symphony of time

At the moment when the Met Gala 2025 lit up the New York sky with a myriad of creative colors, a quiet breeze of classic elegance made its way onto the red carpet: Dandy Style – the fashion of refined gentlemen – returned like a deep, mellow...

16-year-old racetrack heartthrob: Nguyen Hoai Nam Anh and the beauty of courage, discipline and passion

At 16, when many of his peers are still engrossed in social media or online games, Nguyen Hoai Nam Anh – a boy with a movie-star look, a healthy physique, and eyes full of strength – stunned the Southeast Asian sports community by securing a spot in...

Regina Angarita – Leadership mindset in the new era of beauty queens

Regarded as a symbol of the fusion between beauty, intellect, and national strength, Regina Angarita – the reigning Miss Planet Colombia – is at the forefront of a new generation of beauty queens, defined by global thinking, practical action, and sustainable development strategies. From diplomatic initiatives to...

Shashwat Dwivedi – International spirit imbued with Eastern identity

In a world where the stage lights often shine too bright and words sometimes echo without lasting resonance, Shashwat Dwivedi emerges like a different kind of melody—measured, composed, yet profoundly powerful. In him, one senses a quiet radiance that needs no performance, for it stems from self-awareness...

NovaWorld Fashion Fest 2025: Seaside runway taking fashion close to nature

On the evening of May 2, 2025, NovaWorld Phan Thiet held a show as part of the NovaWorld Fashion Fest 2025 at Bikini Beach. The program gathered over 100 models, beauty queens, kings, and famous artists such as Dong Nhi, Hoang Thuy, Lam Khanh Chi or Nhu...

Do Thi Mai Anh: Youth identity amid the new era

Not only standing out with her bright stage presence and impressive achievements, Do Thi Mai Anh is making her mark as a modern children's role model who connects tradition and creativity. Her becoming the Global Ambassador of Global Junior Fashion Week 2025 is not just a personal...

Unsung makeup crew behind the success of “Tinh Hoa Kinh Bac”

Silently behind the spotlight of the recent “Tinh hoa Kinh Bac” (Essence of Kinh Bac) show was the talented hand of the makeup team led by Makeup Artist Wendy Nguyen (Nguyen Thi Thanh Thu) – the quiet force contributing to perfecting the appearance of the performers, bringing...

Hand-woven heritage: Resurrection of handicraft in the digital era

In today's industrialized and automated world, handmade woven products have sparked a strong movement. Not only do they preserve long-standing cultural values, but handwoven heritage has also become a symbol of creativity and rebirth in the digital age. This revival not only reflects the search for original...

“Ve Nha Ut Oi” – When fashion reaches the Southern rural souls

Amid the hustle and bustle of urban life, there is a place that quietly preserves the scent of memories – that is the Southern Folk Cake Festival. And among the crowd heading to Can Tho this April, designer Nguyen Minh Cong and Miss Kieu Duy are like...

Let your brain “survive” in the ocean of knowledge

In this era of information explosion, knowledge floods in like a rising tide, and not everyone has the stamina to swim through this vast ocean without growing weary. As the volume of knowledge continues to mount, the key is not merely to learn more, but to learn...