Say it, stop it
A child says a sentence. Everyone claps once at the end and says full stop. Try longer sentences and see where the voice drops.
Writing · Level 1 · Years 1 and 2 · Unit 1 of 6 · Sentences
Sentences with capital letters and full stops
Children learn what a sentence is, say it out loud before writing, and mark it with a capital letter and a full stop.
6sessions
30 to 40minutes each
Years 1 and 2ages 6 to 8
Pre-A1 to A1CEFR
By the end
Children write three to five simple sentences about a topic, each beginning with a capital letter and ending with a full stop, and read them back to check.
How the unit runs
6 sessions, 8 parts
Every writing unit follows the same eight parts: read, talk, learn the sentence skill, plan, write together, write alone, check, publish. This unit fits them into 6 sessions of about 30 to 40 minutes.
| Session | Parts | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Session 1 | Part 1: Read and enjoy + Part 2: Talk it | Read and enjoy "About Mina". Find 3 features to notice. Oral rehearsal games: Say it, stop it, Sentence or not?, Sentence builders. |
| Session 2 | Part 3: Sentence skill | Teach the sentence skill: Capital letter and full stop. |
| Session 3 | Part 4: Plan | Plan on the frame: my three sentences. |
| Session 4 | Part 5: Shared write | The teacher models the writing, thinking aloud. |
| Session 5 | Part 6: Independent write | Children write independently, with support and stretch. |
| Session 6 | Part 7: Check + Part 8: Publish | Check against the success criteria and the editing checklist. Publish for a real reader on the printable template. |
Curriculum link. Year 1 composition: say out loud what they are going to write about, compose a sentence orally before writing it, re-read to check it makes sense. Appendix 2: capital letters, full stops, question marks and exclamation marks; capital for names and I. Sources: see the end of this page.
Part 1 of 8
Read and enjoy a model text
Read it aloud first, or press the button. Talk about what the writer has done before anyone writes. This text was written for Litlings and is free to copy for your class.
I am Mina. I am six. I have a red hat. I like jam. My cat is Pip. Pip is soft.
What to notice
- I am Mina.Each sentence begins with a capital letter. Names get a capital too.
- I like jam.Each sentence says one whole thing and ends with a full stop.
- Pip is soft.Short sentences are fine. Read it aloud to hear where it stops.
Part 2 of 8
Talk it: oral rehearsal
Talk comes before writing. Children say the sentences, then the paragraph, before the pencil moves.
Sentence or not?
Say a group of words: the big dog. Thumbs up if it is a whole sentence, thumbs down if it needs more. Then fix it together.
Sentence builders
Give each child a word card. Stand in a line to make a sentence. The last child holds a big full stop card.
Part 3 of 8
Sentence skill: Capital letter and full stop
A sentence starts with a capital letter and ends with a full stop, a question mark or an exclamation mark. Names and the word I always get a capital letter.
Teach it in four steps
- Say the sentence out loud and tap each word.
- Start with a capital letter. Names and I are always capitals.
- End with a full stop. Say stop in your head.
- Re-read: does it make sense?
Examples
| Start | Becomes or shows |
|---|---|
| the dog ran home | The dog ran home. |
| mina and i like jam | Mina and I like jam. |
| where is my hat | Where is my hat? |
Part 4 of 8
Plan: My three sentences
Choose a topic. Say your sentences, then write them. Children say each part aloud to a partner first, then jot notes. Type here, or print the frame to use on paper. It prints on one A4 page.
My three sentences
NameDate
Choose a topic. Say your sentences, then write them.
My topicA pet, a toy, a friend, a place.
Three things I knowShort notes or words.
My sentencesCapital letter at the start, full stop at the end.
Check itCapital letters? Full stops? Does it make sense?
Part 6 of 8
Independent write
The task
Write three sentences about a pet, a toy or someone you love. Use a capital letter at the start and a full stop at the end of each.
Sentence starters
- I have a ___.
- My ___ is ___.
- I like ___.
Word bank
- I
- my
- have
- like
- is
- big
- small
- soft
- red
- and
Support
Use sentence strips. Write each sentence on one strip, then check the first and last mark.
Stretch
Write five sentences, or add a question and an exclamation.
English as an additional or foreign language. Give sentence frames and read each one aloud first. Children can draw first, then write.
Part 7 of 8
Check: success criteria and editing
Children read their writing aloud, tick what they have done and fix what they have not. Ticks are saved on this device only.
Success criteria
Editing checklist
Part 8 of 8
Publish for a real reader
Mount each child's sentences with a drawing in a class book called All About Us.
Printable template: Picture and writing page
One A4 page, blank for handwriting. Print from the browser or download the PDF.
My page
NameDate
Draw your picture, then write underneath.
Title
Picture
My writing
Keep going
In this course
Elsewhere on the site
Sources
- National curriculum in England: English programmes of study (DfE)
- English Appendix 2: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation (DfE)
- Improving Literacy in Key Stage 1 (EEF)
Curriculum statements are paraphrased from the documents above. Model texts and activities are original to Litlings.