• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Sentence Sleuths

user image

Daiana Alvarado

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Sentence Sleuths Lesson Plan

Student will correctly construct complete sentences by identifying subjects, predicates, and applying proper capitalization in written work.

Building sentence construction skills helps students express ideas clearly, improves writing fluency, and lays a foundation for more advanced literacy tasks.

Audience

2nd Grade, Individual Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive modeling and scaffolded practice

Materials

Sentence Sleuths Worksheet, Subject-Predicate Sorting Cards, Sentence Construction Anchor Chart, and Mini Whiteboard and Marker

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print or assemble Sentence Sleuths Worksheet and Subject-Predicate Sorting Cards
  • Review the Sentence Construction Anchor Chart for key elements: subject, predicate, capitalization
  • Ensure mini whiteboard and marker are accessible

Step 1

Warm-Up

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and set a positive tone
  • Ask: “What makes a complete sentence?” and record responses
  • Introduce the terms subject (who/what) and predicate (action) briefly

Step 2

Direct Instruction

4 minutes

  • Display the Sentence Construction Anchor Chart
  • Explain that every sentence needs a subject and a predicate, and must start with a capital letter
  • Model on the mini whiteboard: write “The cat sleeps.” underline The cat (subject) in blue, sleeps (predicate) in red, and show capitalization of “T”

Step 3

Guided Practice

4 minutes

  • Provide Subject-Predicate Sorting Cards
  • Student sorts cards into two piles: subjects vs. predicates
  • Guide student to pick one subject card and one predicate card, form a sentence, and write it on the mini whiteboard
  • Offer feedback on identification and capitalization

Step 4

Independent Practice

3 minutes

  • Give the student the Sentence Sleuths Worksheet
  • Student completes three prompts by:
    • Writing a sentence, underlining the subject and predicate
    • Ensuring the first letter is capitalized and sentence ends with a period
  • Monitor and provide individual feedback as needed

Step 5

Cool-Down

2 minutes

  • Select one completed sentence from the worksheet to review together
  • Ask the student to identify the subject, predicate, and point out the capital letter
  • Provide positive reinforcement and note one next step for practice
lenny

Slide Deck

Sentence Sleuths

Construct complete sentences by identifying subjects, predicates, and proper capitalization.

Welcome the student and introduce the session. Explain that today we’ll become “Sentence Sleuths” and learn how to build complete sentences.

Learning Objective

I can write a complete sentence with:
• A capital letter at the start
• A subject (who or what)
• A predicate (action)
• A period at the end

Read the objective aloud. Ask the student to restate it in their own words.

Anchor Chart: Key Terms

Refer to our Sentence Construction Anchor Chart:

• Subject: Who or what the sentence is about.
• Predicate: What the subject is doing (action).
• Capital Letter: Always at the start of a sentence.
• Period: Always at the end of a sentence.

Display or hand the anchor chart to the student. Highlight each term as you discuss it.

Modeling a Sentence

Example Sentence:

The cat sleeps.

• Subject: The cat
• Predicate: sleeps
• Capital Letter: T
• Period at the end

Model writing “The cat sleeps.” on the mini whiteboard. Underline “The cat” in one color and “sleeps” in another. Point out the capital T and the period.

Guided Practice

  1. Sort the cards into two piles: Subjects vs. Predicates.
  2. Choose one subject card and one predicate card.
  3. Form and write a sentence on your mini whiteboard.
  4. Check your sentence for capitalization and a period.

Give the student the Subject-Predicate Sorting Cards. Observe and guide as they sort and form sentences.

Independent Practice

On your worksheet, complete three prompts:

  1. Write a sentence.
  2. Underline the subject and predicate.
  3. Make sure it starts with a capital letter and ends with a period.

Provide the Sentence Sleuths Worksheet. Circulate and offer feedback.

Cool-Down & Wrap-Up

Let’s review one of your sentences:

• What is the subject?
• What is the predicate?
• Where is the capital letter?

Great work today, Sentence Sleuth!

Ask the student to pick one of their sentences. Prompt them to identify each part and celebrate their success.

lenny

Worksheet

Sentence Sleuths Worksheet

Use the Sentence Construction Anchor Chart to help you write complete sentences. For each prompt:

  • Write a complete sentence.
  • Underline the subject and predicate.
  • Begin with a capital letter and end with a period.
  1. Write a sentence about a cat. Underline the subject and predicate.






  2. Write a sentence about a dog. Underline the subject and predicate.






  3. Write a sentence about your favorite game. Underline the subject and predicate.






lenny
lenny

Activity

Here are the cards for your Subject-Predicate Sorting Cards activity.

Subjects (6 cards):

  • The cat
  • My friend
  • A bird
  • The dog
  • The teacher
  • The car

Predicates (6 cards):

  • runs fast
  • jumps high
  • sings a song
  • reads a book
  • plays in the park
  • drives to school
lenny
lenny

Rubric

Sentence Sleuths Rubric

Use this rubric to evaluate your sentences on the Sentence Sleuths Worksheet.

Criteria4 – Exceeds Expectations3 – Meets Expectations2 – Approaching Expectations1 – Beginning
Subject IdentificationUnderlines the complete subject correctly in all three sentences independently.Underlines the complete subject correctly in two to three sentences with minimal prompting.Underlines the subject partially or correctly in only one sentence; needs assistance.Misidentifies or does not underline the subject; requires significant support.
Predicate IdentificationUnderlines the complete predicate correctly in all three sentences independently.Underlines the complete predicate correctly in two to three sentences with minimal prompting.Underlines the predicate partially or correctly in only one sentence; needs assistance.Misidentifies or does not underline the predicate; requires significant support.
Capitalization & PunctuationBegins each sentence with a capital letter and ends with a period in all three sentences.Uses correct capitalization and punctuation in two to three sentences.Uses correct capitalization and punctuation in one sentence; other sentences have errors.Lacks correct capitalization and/or ending punctuation in all sentences; requires support.
Sentence ConstructionWrites three complete, logical sentences that include both subject and predicate.Writes two to three complete sentences that include both subject and predicate.Writes one to two sentences that are complete; others are missing parts or unclear.Sentences are incomplete, missing subject/predicate, or lack clarity; requires support.
lenny
lenny