Sentence Stretches are an activity that I have been completing with students as a way to teach them how to write more descriptive sentences. When anyone first starts writing sentences they are usually very basic, providing a minimal amount of information, i.e. The dog is cute; I like cheese; She is good at fixing things. While these sentences are a good starting point, they are lacking description and specifics. Also, when you have a bunch of short sentences all strung together you lose rhythm and it often feels stilted to our internal ear. This sentence stretching activity helps teach you to pull out details and pack them into your sentences.
Should all sentences be this long? Do you need all of this information in every sentence you write? No, definitely not. But this is great practice building complex, detailed, and descriptive sentences that will help to boost anyone’s writing.
This activity is great for all ages. Here are a couple example Sentence Stretches!
Who?
A fuzzy brown mouse in a pink apron.
What?
A fuzzy brown mouse in a pink apron is baking bread.
When?
In the early morning, a fuzzy brown mouse in a pink apron is baking bread.
Where?
In the early morning, a fuzzy brown mouse in a pink apron is in the treehouse kitchen baking bread.
Why?
In the early morning, a fuzzy brown mouse in a pink apron is in the treehouse kitchen baking bread for the adventurers to take in their pack.
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Who?
A tall young Monkey in shorts.
What?
A tall young monkey in shorts is getting ready.
When?
On the weekend, a tall young monkey in shorts is getting ready.
Where?
On the weekend, a tall young monkey in shorts is getting ready in her favorite treehouse.
Why?
On the weekend, a tall young monkey in shorts, is getting ready in her favorite treehouse to meet her friends at the lake.
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