Vineyard Sentences Activity
Small Group Station Grade 5 Grammar • Syntax & Conventions
Themes of Esperanza Rising
Vineyard Sentences Activity
Collaborate with your group to dissect, diagnose, and construct complete sentences from the valley.
Group Members:
1. _________________
2. _________________
3. _________________
4. _________________
The Complete & Simple Subject
Complete Subject: Everyone or everything the sentence is about.
Simple Subject: The key main noun or pronoun alone.
The Complete & Simple Predicate
Complete Predicate: What the subject does, feels, or is.
Simple Predicate: The core verb or verb phrase alone.
1
Station A: The Harvest Division
Draw a slash ( | ) between Subject & Predicate
Directions: With your group, draw a vertical line ( | ) dividing the complete subject from the complete predicate. Then write the simple subject and simple predicate below.
1. The gentle grandmother from Aguascalientes crocheted warm zigzag blankets by the oil lamp.
Simple Subject: ________________________ Simple Predicate: ________________________
2. Fierce autumn dust storms swept through the wooden cabins of the camp.
Simple Subject: ________________________ Simple Predicate: ________________________
3. Hundreds of skilled field hands harvested sweet green grapes under the hot sun.
Simple Subject: ________________________ Simple Predicate: ________________________
2
Station B: Compound Crew Challenge
Compound Subjects & Compound Predicates
Directions: Read each sentence. Determine whether it contains a Compound Subject, a Compound Predicate, or Both. Write the coordinating conjunction found.
A. Alfonso and Juan planted Papa's precious rose cuttings deep into the damp dirt.
Conjunction found: _________________
[ ] Compound Subject
[ ] Compound Predicate
[ ] Both
B. The exhausted laborers washed their dusty clothes and cooked warm beans after sundown.
Conjunction found: _________________
[ ] Compound Subject
[ ] Compound Predicate
[ ] Both
C. Marta and the strikers carried painted signs and chanted loudly near the tracks.
Conjunction found: _________________
[ ] Compound Subject
[ ] Compound Predicate
[ ] Both
Vineyard Sentences Activity • Small Group Work Page 1 of 2
Stations C, D & E Collaborative Application & Mastery Check
Station Rotation: Part II
3
Station C: Sentence Surgery (Fragment Repair)
Diagnose Missing Elements
Directions: Just as Esperanza learned to repair torn dresses and rebuild her life, repair these fragments from the camp. Determine what is missing, then write a complete sentence together.
“The delicate porcelain doll hidden beneath the woolen blankets...”
Missing: [ ] Subject [ ] Predicate
Write a complete sentence with a strong predicate:
“...patiently showed young Esperanza how to hold the broom properly.”
Missing: [ ] Subject [ ] Predicate
Write a complete sentence with an expanded complete subject:
4
Station D: The Zigzag Weave (Sentence Builder)
Compound Expansion
Directions: Abuelita taught Esperanza that life has peaks and valleys stitched together. Add a Compound Predicate (two action verbs joined by and) to each given subject.
Given Subject: Young Isabel and Esperanza
Add two actions describing their chores or school day:
Given Subject: The noisy locomotive
Add two actions describing its journey toward California:
5
Station E: Group Quick Check (Assessment)
Consensus Required
Discuss as a team. Every member must agree on the explanation before marking your answer!
1. Read the sentence below:
“The sweet crate of yellow peaches slipped from Miguel’s hands.”
What is the SIMPLE SUBJECT?
[ ] A) crate
[ ] B) peaches
[ ] C) Miguel
[ ] D) slipped
Why is B wrong? peaches is in a prep phrase
2. Read the sentence below:
“Esperanza carefully wrapped the yarn doll in soft tissue paper.”
Which option is the COMPLETE PREDICATE?
[ ] A) wrapped the yarn doll
[ ] B) carefully wrapped the yarn doll in soft tissue paper
[ ] C) wrapped
[ ] D) soft tissue paper
Vineyard Sentences Activity • Small Group Work Page 2 of 2
