Lincoln Builders Teacher Guide Lincoln Builders Guide
Mastering Subjects & Predicates in 10 Days
Duration 10 x 5m
Instructional Objective
Students will be able to identify and construct simple sentences with clear subjects and predicates, enhancing their foundational writing skills while engaging with historical content about Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.
The "Why"
Strong sentence writing is crucial for academic success in all subjects. This lesson provides a structured, repetitive approach to help ELLs build confidence and proficiency in sentence construction, while integrating social studies content.
Quick Prep
Review the worksheet and answer key to familiarize yourself with the 10 daily tasks.
Make 1 copy of the 10-day worksheet for each student.
Ensure you have a way to display the daily tasks if working as a whole group.
Prep Time:
15 Minutes
10-Day Implementation Plan
1
What is a Sentence?
Students use self-study text to understand Subject + Predicate. Complete Day 1 ID task.
2
Spotting Subjects
Focus on the "Who" or "What". Students underline subjects in historical sentences.
3
Finding Predicates
Focus on the action or state of being. Students underline predicates in sentences.
4
Subject-Predicate Match
Connecting fragments to form thoughts. Match subjects to historical predicates.
5
Building Simple Sentences
Active construction using provided components about Grant and the South.
6
Expanding Subjects
Adding adjectives to subjects (e.g., "The wise President Lincoln") for more detail.
7
Expanding Predicates
Adding adverbs and phrases to predicates to give more context to actions.
8
Identifying Full Sentences
Reading short passages and separating complete sentences from fragments.
9
Writing Original Sentences
Free-writing challenge. Students create two original Civil War sentences.
10
Sentence Scramble & Review
Final challenge: unscramble words. Review the core concept of Subject + Predicate.
Teaching Tips for ELL Support
Visual Anchors
Create a permanent anchor chart with the formula:
Daily Ritual
The 5-minute limit is key. Use a timer. Allow students to self-check with the answer key to build immediate feedback loops.
Lincoln Builders Worksheet Lincoln's Sentence Builders
A 10-Day Mastery Challenge
Name:
Date:
DAY 1
What is a Sentence?
Every complete sentence needs two main parts:
Subject: Who or what the sentence is about.Predicate: What the subject does or is (usually starts with a verb).
Example: Abraham Lincoln (Subject) was a great leader. (Predicate)
Read each group of words. If it is a complete sentence, write "Sentence" . If not, write "Not a Sentence" .
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president.
Fought in many battles.
The Civil War lasted four years.
Freed the enslaved people.
Soldiers marched.
DAY 2
Spotting Subjects
Read each sentence. Underline the Subject (who or what the sentence is about).
1. Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
2. Union soldiers wore blue uniforms.
3. The Confederacy wanted to separate.
4. Mary Todd Lincoln was his wife.
5. Battles were fought across the country.
DAY 3
Finding Predicates
Read each sentence. Underline the Predicate (what the subject does or is).
1. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
2. Confederate soldiers wore grey uniforms.
3. The North won the war.
4. Soldiers fought bravely.
5. The war ended in 1865.
DAY 4
Subject-Predicate Match
Match a subject from the box with a predicate to create a complete sentence.
Subjects
• Abraham Lincoln
• The Emancipation Proclamation
• Many soldiers
Predicates
• was a famous speech.
• fought for their beliefs.
• freed many enslaved people.
Sentence 1
Sentence 2
Sentence 3
DAY 5
Building Simple Sentences
Use the given parts to write a complete sentence.
Lincoln Builders Answer Key Answer Key
Lincoln's Sentence Builders: 10-Day Challenge
Day 1: What is a Sentence?
1. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president. Sentence
2. Fought in many battles. Not a Sentence
3. The Civil War lasted four years. Sentence
4. Freed the enslaved people. Not a Sentence
5. Soldiers marched. Sentence
Day 2: Spotting Subjects
1. Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.
2. Union soldiers wore blue uniforms.
3. The Confederacy wanted to separate.
4. Mary Todd Lincoln was his wife.
5. Battles were fought across the country.
Day 3: Finding Predicates
1. Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
2. Confederate soldiers wore grey uniforms.
3. The North won the war.
4. Soldiers fought bravely.
5. The war ended in 1865.
Day 4: Subject-Predicate Match
(Combinations may vary; logical matches preferred)
1. Abraham Lincoln fought for their beliefs. (or was a famous speech / freed many...)
2. The Emancipation Proclamation freed many enslaved people. (or was a famous...)
3. Many soldiers fought for their beliefs.
Day 5: Building Simple Sentences
1. General Grant led the Union army.
2. Southern states seceded from the Union.
3. Harpers Ferry was a significant location.
Day 6: Expanding Subjects
(Answers will vary. Examples below:)
1. The determined President Lincoln made a speech.
2. Brave Union soldiers fought.
3. The terrible Civil war divided the nation.
Day 7: Expanding Predicates
(Answers will vary. Examples below:)
1. Lincoln signed a document with a steady hand.
2. The battle raged fiercely for three days.
3. Generals strategized carefully in their tents.
Day 8: Identifying Full Sentences
Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin. Hard work and learning. He became a lawyer. Later, a president. The Civil War started during his time in office. A very difficult period.
Gettysburg was a crucial battle. Many lives were lost there. The Union won. A turning point in the war. After the battle, Lincoln gave a famous address. Very inspiring words.
Day 9: Writing Original Sentences
(Answers will vary. Ensure each has a Subject + Predicate)
Ex: Abraham Lincoln worked to end slavery.
Day 10: Sentence Scramble
Lincoln Builders Slides Lincoln's Sentence Builders
A 10-Day Grammar Challenge
8th Grade ELL Mastery
DAY 1
What is a Sentence?
Every sentence needs a Subject (Who/What) and a Predicate (Does/Is).
Example: Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president.
Quick Task:
1. Soldiers marched.
2. Fought in many battles.
Which one is a complete sentence?
DAY 2
Spotting Subjects
The Subject is the WHO or WHAT.
Find the Subject:
"Union soldiers wore blue uniforms."
Who wore the uniforms?
DAY 3
Finding Predicates
The Predicate tells what the subject DOES or IS.
Find the Predicate:
"Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. "
What did Lincoln do?
DAY 4
Subject-Predicate Match
Subjects
Abraham Lincoln
Many soldiers
Predicates
...fought for their beliefs.
...was the 16th president.
DAY 5
Building Sentences
Combine These:
General Grant + led the Union army
Wait for teacher's signal to check!
DAY 6
Expanding Subjects
SIMPLE:
Lincoln made a speech.
EXPANDED:
The wise and bold President Lincoln made a speech.
How to expand: Add one or two descriptive words (adjectives) before your subject.
DAY 7
Expanding Predicates
SIMPLE:
The battle raged.
EXPANDED:
The battle raged fiercely for hours.
How to expand: Add words that tell HOW, WHERE, or WHEN.
DAY 8
Is it a Sentence?
"Abraham Lincoln grew up in a log cabin. Hard work and learning. He became a lawyer."
Missing Subject?
Missing Predicate?
DAY 9
Original Sentences
