Tips for Teaching Types of Sentences - Your Thrifty Co-Teacher

Identifying and learning the terms for the different types of sentences sure can be tricky. The terms go from command, question, exclamation, and statement to imperative, interrogative, exclamatory, and declarative. Here are some tips for teaching types of sentences to upper elementary students.

Types of Sentences

First, let’s go over the types of sentences and some tricks to teach the students that will help them remember which is which.

1. Interrogative Sentences

These types of sentences end in a question mark. I help students associate the term by showing them a picture of a detective interrogating a suspect. We then discuss how a detective asks questions about where the person was, who they were with, etc. Once students associate interrogative sentences with the action of someone being interrogating, they pretty much master the term.

Example of an interrogative sentence: Where did you put the mail?

2. Exclamatory Sentences

Exclamatory sentences are pretty self explanatory and are usually quick for students to grasp since the ending punctuation mark is an exclamation mark. We practice exclaiming some words, and students enjoy being able to be so expressive in class.

Example of an exclamatory sentence: That was an awesome pitch!

3. Declarative Sentences

To declare means to state something. According to Southern Living, “Well, I Declare” is one of the 24 phrases only southerners use. Therefore, I try my best to use an old fashioned Southern accent and state different facts and opinions starting with “I Declare” and then give them a turn to do the same.

Example of an declarative sentence: The temperature outside is pleasant today.

4. Imperative Sentences

Imperative sentences can be a little trickier since most of the time they end with a period but can sometimes end with an exclamation point. I try to help students remember that an imperative sentence is a command by connecting it to telling someone to do something that is important.

Examples of imperative sentences: Finish folding your laundry. Stop that!

Teaching Types of Sentences

Step 1:

To help introduce these terms, displaying a Types of Sentences anchor chart on our projection board can be very helpful. It allows you to discuss the four types of sentences while comparing and contrasting them. (You can grab this FREE anchor chart by clicking on the image below.)

Types of sentences anchor charts are a visual when teaching about interrogative, exclamatory, imperative, and declarative sentences.

While explaining the different terms and types of sentences, it is helpful to students to have them write the definition in their notebooks. A flap sheet is a great way to help students organize the information.

Types of sentence flap page where students can write definition and examples underneath the flap.

Step 2:

Having students immediately implement what they have learned is important. It helps solidify their learning.

Instead of using a worksheet, I implement response boards. My students absolutely LOVE writing with dry erase markers.

This is a great way to engage them while also assessing who is understanding and who needs more scaffolding.

Students use their types of sentences anchor chart to help them identify the sentences displayed on the projection board.

As a whole group review, I project slides on the board and have students write what type of question they believe the sentence is on a response board. Once everyone has shown me their answer, I display the correct answer on the board.

Step 3:

Withdrawing the scaffolding and having students practice independently is important. This is how they master skills. You can provide independent practice through independent work time, centers, or home learning.

Some great independent Types of Sentences activities are working with task cards or with sorting activities.

Types of Sentences Activities for Upper Elementary Students. Flapbook, sorting, and task cards.

For students needing additional practice, Types of Sentences Digital Task Cards are perfect! These digital tasks cards are great because they are self-checking and involve no prep.

Students who master the skill quickly can work on early finisher activities. These might be creating a text conversation between two characters. Each quote box can contain a different type of sentence. Another activity might be creating questions (interrogative sentences). They can then use these to interview a classmate.

Step 4:

Lastly, you will want to formally assess them. How and what you want to assess depends on your group of students. You may want to only assess terminology. In that case, offer a list of sentences and have students identify them.

You may want to assess more than terminology. You can offer students a variety of sentences without ending punctuation marks. Students can then add the appropriate punctuation mark and then identify the type of sentence.

Hopefully these tips for teaching types of sentences gives you some great ideas you can implement in your classroom.

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