This Building Compound Sentences Activity helps students deepen their understanding of sentence structure by matching clause and conjunction cards to form meaningful sentences. Students will identify whether each clause card is dependent or independent, enhancing their ability to differentiate between types of sentences.

How to Complete

1. Print and cut out the clause and conjunction
2. Divide students into small groups and provide each group with shuffled clause and conjunction cards.
3. Students match two independent clause cards and one conjunction card to form a compound sentence.
4. Any dependent clause cards should be put to the side.
5. Review completed sentences as a class, discussing the reasoning behind their choices.

Additional Tips

1. Colour code the clause cards and conjunction cards.
2. Provide a mini-lesson reviewing the characteristics of compound sentences before starting the activity.
3. Have students record their completed sentences in a workbook or on a mini whiteboard.
4. Allow students to add their own clauses and conjunctions to the blank cards for a partner to sort and classify.

Extension Ideas

1. Creative Writing: Challenge students to create their own clauses and conjunctions for peers to match and classify.
2. Timed Challenge: Add a timer to the activity and see which group can correctly form all compound sentences the fastest.
3. Sentence Expansion: Have students expand the completed sentences by adding more descriptive details.