Structure Scaffolding Posters
The Sentence Blueprint
Building Block #1: S-V-O
WHO
(Subject)
The boy
DOES WHAT
(Verb)
eats
WHAT
(Object)
the apple.
Builder's Checklist
- Start with a WHO (Person or Animal)
- Add a DOING WORD (Action)
- Finish with a WHAT (Thing)
Adding Decorations
Building Block #2: Details
ADJECTIVES
What does it look like?
The big, red dog barked.
WHERE
Where is it happening?
The cat slept on the rug.
Word Bank for Builders
How it looks (Adjectives):
Small, Tall, Fast, Colorful, Happy, Loud
Location (Where):
At school, In the park, Under the table
Sentence Bridges
Building Block #3: Using "And"
Sentence 1: I like pizza.
AND
Sentence 2: I like cake.
The Finished Bridge
I like pizza and I like cake.
Blueprint Building Slides
Sentence Construction
Daily Warm-Up: Day 1
Build Better
Fix It Up
The Core 3
Who
The cat
Did What
jumped
Where
on the bed
"The cat jumped on the bed."
Construction Site: Build a Sentence
Option A
The bird sings.
Option B
Sings the bird.
Which building is structurally sound?
Expand the Blueprint
Basic:
The ____ car drove fast.
SHINY
OLD
BLUE
Add an adjective to make the sentence better!
Building a Bridge
I like apples
AND
I like grapes
"I like apples and I like grapes."
The Inspection
"The happy chef cooked pasta in the kitchen."
WHO?
WHAT?
WHERE?
Sentence Construction Teacher Guide
Teacher's Guide
Sentence Construction Unit
Instructional Strategy
This unit uses the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) approach. By framing sentence structure as "construction," students with IEPs can visualize abstract linguistic rules as physical building blocks.
Visual Scaffolding
Use consistent color-coding:
- Blue: Who (Subject)
- Green: Does What (Verb)
- Purple: What (Object)
- Orange: Adjectives
Daily Routine
Use the Blueprint Slides as a 5-10 minute morning warm-up. Encourage students to "inspect" sentences for errors.
Material Implementation
Scaffolding Posters
Display these prominently. Reference them during all writing tasks to help students locate missing sentence parts.
Brick Worksheet
A kinesthetic activity using the word brick supply sheet. For motor difficulties, provide pre-cut bricks or velcro boards.
Differentiation & IEP Accommodations
1
Low Verbal / Non-Verbal
Use the WH-Check slide with PECS or pointing devices. The color coding allows students to identify parts of the sentence without reading.
2
Attention/Executive Function
Use the "Builder's Checklist" on the anchor chart to help students self-monitor during independent work.
3
Fine Motor
Allow students to draw lines connecting words or provide a scribe to assist with gluing.
Tips for Success
- Consistency: Use markers that match the poster colors (Blue for Who, etc.).
- Errorless Learning: Initially give only the bricks needed for one sentence to ensure success.
- Generalization: Continue using the system when students write in other subjects.
- Movement: Have students physically stand in "Who", "Action", and "What" stations.
