About this book
Say it first. Then write it.
First Sentences helps young learners build simple sentences one step at a time. Children start by saying an idea out loud with a helper. They learn that a sentence names who or what and tells something about it. Then they put word cards in order, write with a capital letter, spaces and an end mark, and add a detail that makes an idea clearer. Read-aloud prompts guide the adult, and the learner may talk, point or dictate on any page. A checkpoint after each module shows what to practice next.
- A readiness check with suggested starting points
- Four short modules with picture prompts
- Read-aloud prompts for the adult helper
- Mixed review, extra practice and a final check
- Answers with reasons, common mistakes and pages to revisit
With explained answers for every page
Look inside
What this book covers
Covered
The goal: say, build and write simple sentences that make sense, with a capital letter, spaces and an end mark.
Not covered
Not in this book: phonics, spelling lists and paragraphs.
Notice
Pictures in this book are simplified learning models. Check answers with the explanations at the back of the book.
The steps in this book
- Step 1: Get Ready
Check the skills you need before you begin. If something feels tricky, an adult can help you start in the right place.
- Step 2: Learn It
Read a short, clear explanation of the new idea and the words that go with it.
- Step 3: See It
Watch the idea being used, one step at a time, in a worked example.
- Step 4: Try It Together
Practice with prompts and help cues. The help gets smaller as you get stronger.
- Step 5: On Your Own
Practice on your own with different kinds of questions, and explain your thinking.
- Step 6: Look Back
Look back at earlier learning so it stays strong, then check where to go next.
- Step 7: Check and Fix
Check your answers. Each answer explains why, names a common mistake, and shows how to fix it.
What is in the book
The modules
- Module 1: Say a complete ideaPages 5–14
- Module 2: Build and order wordsPages 15–24
- Module 3: Write readable sentencesPages 25–34
- Module 4: Add detail and revisePages 35–44
Contents
- Readiness check, pp. 3–4. Before Module 1. Its table tells you where to start.
- Modules, pp. 5–44
- Checkpoints, pp. 14, 24, 34, 44. The last page of each module.
- Mixed review, pp. 45–48. Questions from across the book, mixed together.
- Exit check, pp. 49–50. A last check across the book.
- Reflect and repair, p. 51
- Try again, p. 52. Fresh questions like those in the exit check.
- Extra practice, pp. 53–56
- Answers and explanations, pp. 57–64. Notes in this part are headed “Why”, “Common mistake” and “Help”.