How to Not Teach a Boring Compound Sentence Lesson

Hi everyone! Today, I wanted to share some ideas about teaching compound sentences.

Introduction of Fanboys

First off, students need to know those fanboys before diving into the realm of compound sentences. A simple way to do this with a hands-on twist is to have them make some fans with those bad boys. Students simply fold the paper seven times to make eight sections. Than they write the coordinating conjunctions on the fan, squeeze it, and make a breeze.

Activity Ideas for Compound Sentences

Idea #1 Silly Sentences- Write some simple sentences and the fanboys on some sentence stripes. Students connect the two simple sentences with one of the fanboys. Then they use pasta and lentils to add the punctuation. Finally, they add that capital letter at the beginning with a wikki stick or other letter manipulative of choice.

Idea #2 Create & Share Giggly Sentences- Each student creates their own simple sentence (silliness encouraged). Then they partner with someone else to form a compound sentence with their two simple sentences. They can record their newly formed sentences on a paper. After a few minutes, they rotate to pair up with another student and make another sentence. You can rotate as many times as you like.

Idea #3 Work with Compound Sentences in Multiple Ways- Students can identify if a sentence is simple or compound, rewrite two simple sentences into a compound sentence, add more details to a compound sentence, and rearrange compound sentences into other sentence formats.

Click here for these task cards or check out the digital ones here.

Idea #4 Butterfly Grammar Craft- Add simple sentences on each wing of a butterfly. Then the comma and fanboy can be added on the body of the butterfly to join the two simple sentences into one. I added a touch to this craft idea by making the butterflies body in the shape of a comma, but you can use any butterfly template or make your own easily for this craft. All I did was cut these out of some colored card stock. You could also use colored construction paper.

I hope you enjoyed these ideas about compound sentences. Check out some of my other grammar posts, and make sure to subscribe to email for more ideas! I promise I don’t spam. In fact, if I can blog once a month, I am doing good, lol! Although, hoping to share more with you all (nothing crazy…never going to be blogging 365, ok!).