CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1i
The Standard
Produce simple, compound, and complex sentences.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
What This Standard Means
Students need to write three kinds of sentences on purpose. A simple sentence has one complete thought. A compound sentence joins two complete thoughts with a word like and, but, or so. A complex sentence adds a dependent part, often starting with because, when, if, after, or although.
Mastery looks like varied writing that still makes sense and uses correct punctuation. Students should be able to name the sentence type, build one from given ideas, and revise choppy writing. Common trouble spots are fragments, comma splices, and using because at the start without finishing the thought.
Ways to Teach It
- Give students sentence strips with subjects, predicates, conjunctions, and starters like because, then have them build and label three sentence types.
- Prompt students to revise three short sentences about recess into one compound sentence and one complex sentence.
- Use an exit ticket asking students to write one simple, one compound, and one complex sentence about the same picture.
- Show a menu or game instructions, then have students find one simple, one compound, and one complex sentence in it.
Plan a Lesson for CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.3.1i
Generate a complete lesson plan aligned to this standard, with objectives, activities, and materials. Free, no account needed.
Related Standards
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.7.1b
Choose among simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex sentences to signal differing relationships among ideas.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1j
Produce and expand complete simple and compound declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences in response to prompts.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.4.1f
Produce complete sentences, recognizing and correcting inappropriate fragments and run-ons.
- CCSS.ELA-Literacy.SL.1.6
Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation.