Learn to Read 31

Ages 4–6 · 12 minutes · English

Become a Sentence Detective and build sentences with clues!

In this lesson, students will build confidence in reading by practicing the following skills:

- Identify parts of a sentence
- Become a Sentence Detective and search for sentence clues
- Build and construct sentences in a construction game
- Read while identifying parts of the sentences

Some prior reading experience may be helpful.

Part of

Learn to Read

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Alabama

ELA21.K.23 — With prompting and support, manipulate words and/or phrases to create simple sentences, including declarative and interrogative, to help build syntactic awareness and comprehension at the sentence level.
ELA21.K.36c — With prompting and support, identify the role or purpose of a noun and a verb within a sentence and the type of information it conveys.
ELA21.K.36g — With prompting and support, recognize, name, and correctly use end punctuation.
ELA21.K.8d — Identify the beginning and end of a sentence by locating the capital letter and end punctuation.
ELA21.K.36b — With prompting and support, compose a simple sentence, including necessary components to create a complete sentence rather than a fragment.
ELA21.K.8e — Point to words using one-to-one correspondence, noting that words are separated by spaces.

Alaska

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence, the first letter of the student's name, and the pronoun I.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Arizona

1.RF.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., capitalization of first word and ending punctuation).
K.L.1.e — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
K.L.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
K.RF.1.c — Identify that a sentence is made up of a group of words.
K.RF.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Arkansas

K.FR.3.CP — Point to words, using one-to-one correspondence to demonstrate that words are separated by spaces.
K.L.7.S — Produce simple sentences independently.
K.L.8.C — Capitalize the first word in a sentence.
K.W.6.P — Edit writing to include grade-appropriate conventions for publishing (e.g., capitalize the first word in the sentence, capitalize the pronoun "I," use end punctuation marks).
K.FR.22.F — Orally read texts consisting of previously taught grapheme-phoneme correspondences, self-correcting as necessary.

California

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Colorado

RWC20-GR.1-S.2-GLE.3-EO.a.i — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (for example: first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RWC20-GR.K-S.3-GLE.4-EO.b.ii — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RWC20-GR.K-S.2-GLE.3-EO.b.vi — Read text consisting of short sentences comprised of learned sight words and consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.
RWC20-GR.K-S.3-GLE.4-EO.a.vi — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.

Connecticut

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
RF.K.1 — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Delaware

L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Florida

ELA.K.F.1.1 — Demonstrate knowledge of the basic concepts of print. • Locate a printed word on a page. • Distinguish letters from words within sentences. • Match print to speech to demonstrate that language is represented by print. • Identify parts of a book (front cover, back cover, title page). • Move top to bottom and left to right on the printed page; returning to the beginning of the next line. • Identify all upper- and lowercase letters of the alphabet. • Recognize that print conveys specific meaning and pictures may support meaning.
ELA.K.F.1.3 — Use knowledge of grade-appropriate phonics and word-analysis skills to decode words accurately. • Demonstrate knowledge of the most frequent sound for each consonant. • Demonstrate knowledge of the short and long sounds for the five major vowels. • Decode consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words. • Encode consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.

Georgia

ELAGSE1RF1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
ELAGSEKL1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
ELAGSE1RF3 — Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills in decoding words.

Hawaii

1.RF.1a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
K.L.2a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
K.L.2b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
K.RF.1c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
K.L.1f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
K.RF.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Idaho

K.FR.PC.1f — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
K.FR.PC.1g — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
K.GC.M.2 — Recognize and name end punctuation.
1.GC.M.2c — Capitalize the first word in a sentence, the first letter of student’s name, and the pronoun “I”.
K.GC.GU.1d — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.

Illinois

RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Indiana

1.RF.1 — Recognize components of a sentence (e.g., capitalization, first word, ending punctuation).
K.RF.9 — Orally read decodable texts with appropriate accuracy and automaticity.
K.W.7 — Demonstrate command of English grammar and usage when writing or speaking, focusing on: a. Nouns/Pronouns – Using sentences that include singular and/or plural nouns (e.g., dog/dogs, cat/cats). b. Verbs – Using sentences that include verbs. c. Usage – Recognizing that there are different kinds of sentences (e.g., sentences that tell something, sentences that ask something).
K.W.8 — Demonstrate command of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling, focusing on: a. Capitalization – Capitalizing the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I. b. Punctuation – Recognizing and naming end punctuation. c. Encoding – Spelling simple words phonetically, drawing on phonemic awareness.

Iowa

L.K.1.e — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
RF.K.4 — Orally read grade-appropriate text with purpose and understanding.

Kansas

RF.1.1.c — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print and can point with one-to-one correspondence.
W.K.11.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
W.K.10.e — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.

Kentucky

RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence including first word, capitalization, spacing and ending punctuation.
L.1.2.b — Demonstrate appropriate use of end punctuation.
RF.K.1.c — Recognize that words are separated by spaces in print.
RF.K.4.a — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Louisiana

L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
RF.1.1 — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Maine

L.2.K.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
L.2.K.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
R.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
L.1.K.e — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
R.12.K.a — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Maryland

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Massachusetts

L.K.2.c — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.a — Demonstrate the ability to produce and expand complete sentences using frequently occurring nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, question words, and prepositions; name and use in context numbers 0–100 (see kindergarten mathematics standards for Counting and Cardinality).
RF.K.4 — Read early-emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Michigan

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Minnesota

0.1.1.0.c — Demonstrate understanding of the basic features of print: Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
0.2.1.1 — Recognize that words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters, which are separated by spaces, and put in a specific order to create a sentence.
1.2.1.1 — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
0.1.1.3 — Read decodable texts accurately, with guidance and support. (Decodable texts are those that include words taught in phonics lesson.)
1.1.1.0 — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence in print (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).

Mississippi

L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Missouri

1.RF.1.A.a — recognizing that sentences are comprised of words separated by spaces
1.RF.1.A.b — recognizing the distinguishing features of a sentence
1.R.1.B.c — identifying words that name actions and words that name persons, places, or things
1.RF.3.A.a — decoding words in context by using letter-sound knowledge
K.L.1.A.d — demonstrate the use of complete sentences in shared language activities

Montana

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.

Nebraska

LA.1.F.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence.
LA.K.F.1.c — Demonstrate understanding that words are separated by spaces in print; demonstrate understanding of one-to- one correspondence between voice and print.
LA.1.F.1 — Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and basic concepts of print.
LA.1.F.4.a — Read decodable text accurately with appropriate rate, intonation, and expression/prosody to reflect meaning.

Nevada

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.

New Hampshire

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

New Jersey

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
RF.K.4.a — Read emergent-readers with purpose and understanding.

New Mexico

L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1 — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

New York

1RF1a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
1RF1 — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
1RF4 — Read beginning reader texts, appropriate to individual student ability, with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension.
KRF1c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.

North Carolina

RF.1.1.a — Recognize and use capitalization and ending punctuation.
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.2 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing; demonstrate proficiency within the K-1 conventions continuum.
RF.K.5 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
L.1.1 — Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking; demonstrate proficiency within the K-1 grammar continuum.

North Dakota

K.F.3 — Recognize that sentences have letters, words, spaces between words, capitalization, and ending punctuation.
1.F.12b — Read accurately and automatically at the sentence level
1.F.3 — Identify the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., sentence, first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
K.F.14 — Write a simple sentence using subject and predicate, with capital letters, punctuation, and appropriate word spacing.

Ohio

L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1 — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print by recognizing the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Oklahoma

K.2.PC.5 — Students will recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., capitalization of the first word, ending punctuation: period, exclamation point, question mark) with prompting.
K.5.R.1 — Students will recognize simple sentences with prompting.
K.5.R.2 — Students will recognize parts of speech in sentences with prompting: • concrete objects as persons, places, or things (i.e., nouns) • words as actions (i.e., verbs) • color and size adjectives • the pronoun I • spatial and time relationships such as up, down, before, and after
K.5.W.1 — Students will begin to compose simple sentences that begin with a capital letter and conclude with an end mark.
PK.2.PC.4 — Students will begin to recognize that written words are made up of letters and are separated by spaces.

Oregon

1.RF.1a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence.
K.L.2b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
K.RF.1c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
K.L.1f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
K.L.2a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
K.RF.4a — Read emergent texts with one-to-one correspondence with purpose and understanding.

Pennsylvania

CC.1.1.1.B — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. • Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence.
CC.1.1.K.B — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. • Follow words left to right, top to bottom, and page by page. • Recognize that spoken words are represented in written language by specific sequences of letters. • Understand that words are separated by spaces in print. • Recognize and name all uppercase and lowercase letters of the alphabet.
CC.1.1.K.E — Read emergent-reader text with purpose and understanding.
CC.1.4.K.F — Demonstrate a grade- appropriate command of the conventions of standard English grammar, usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling. • Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I. • Recognize and use end punctuation. • Spell simple words phonetically.

Rhode Island

L.K.2.c — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.a — Demonstrate the ability to produce and expand complete sentences using frequently occurring nouns, pronouns, adjectives, verbs, question words, and prepositions; name and use in context numbers 0–100 (see kindergarten mathematics standards for Counting and Cardinality).
L.K.2.b — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
RF.K.4 — Read early-emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

South Carolina

ELA.K.C.4.1 — Form and use complete simple sentences. When writing: a. capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I; b. identify and name end punctuation marks (e.g., periods, exclamation points, and question marks); c. identify and use periods to punctuate sentences; d. identify and use common singular and plural nouns; e. identify and use action verbs; and f. identify and use simple and declarative sentences.
ELA.K.F.2.2 — Demonstrate one-to-one correspondence by pointing to words, noting that there are spaces between words.
ELA.K.F.2.4 — Identify the beginning and end of a sentence by locating the capital letter and end punctuation.
ELA.K.F.2.5 — Identify letters and words within sentences.
ELA.K.F.4.3 — Read texts by: a. using letter-sound knowledge to segment and blend sounds together; b. decoding the word by analogy; and c. using visuals from the text to support decoding and confirm recognition.

South Dakota

1.RF.1.a — Recognize that sentences are made of words put together in a meaningful sequence.
1.RF.1.b — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
K.RF.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
K.L.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
K.RF.4.a — Read grade-level text with purpose and understanding.

Tennessee

1.FL.PC.1.a — Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print. Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence, such as first word, capitalization, and ending punctuation.
K.FL.PC.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print; demonstrate one-to-one correspondence between voice and print.
K.FL.SC.6.i — Recognize and name end punctuation.
K.FL.F.5.a — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.
K.FL.SC.6.g — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
K.FL.SC.6.h — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.

Texas

K.10D.i — complete sentences;
K.2D.iii — recognizing that sentences are comprised of words separated by spaces and recognizing word boundaries;
K.2B.ii — using letter-sound relationships to decode, including VC, CVC, CCVC, and CVCC words;
K.2D.v — identifying all uppercase and lowercase letters; and

Utah

K.W.1.b — Use appropriate capitalization and end punctuation.
K.R.4 — Read grade-level text* with accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. (RL & RI)
K.W.1.a — Write, produce, and expand a complete sentence.

Vermont

L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Virginia

K.FFR.1.C — Demonstrate knowledge that spoken words are represented in print and separated by spaces.
K.FFR.1.F — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
K.LU.1.A — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
K.DSR.1.A — Use knowledge of letter-sound correspondences to read and reread controlled decodable sentences and texts that include phonic elements and irregular words (Reading Fluency, K-12).
K.LU.2.A — With guidance and support, begin each sentence with a capital letter and capitalize the pronoun I.

Washington

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Washington, D.C.

L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
L.K.2.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

West Virginia

ELA.1.V.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, and ending punctuation).
ELA.K.36.e — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
ELA.K.37.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
ELA.K.37.a — Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I.
ELA.K.I — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Wisconsin

ELA.1.RF.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
ELA.K.L.6.a — Capitalization of the first word in a sentence.
ELA.1.L.5.d — Production and expansion of complete sentences in response to prompts.
ELA.K.RF.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.

Wyoming

L.K.1.f — Produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities.
RF.1.1.a — Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).
RF.K.1.c — Understand that words are separated by spaces in print.
L.K.2.b — Recognize and name end punctuation.
RF.K.4 — Read emergent-reader texts with purpose and understanding.