Teaching English Language Structures Using the Sentence Pattering Chart

English language structures can be confusing for a student who is learning English as a second or other language. Language structures may differ and cause
​English learners to struggle with language structures in English. Enter...The Sentence Patterning CHART. 
The Sentence Patterning Chart is an excellent method for exposing learners to English language structures while teaching content. The benefits of this technique are amazing: 

• lowers the affective filter
• engages learners
• builds vocabulary
• provides oral language practice
• imprints into the brain using song
• categorizes words
• offers an opportunity for shared reading and writing

I learned about this technique several years ago through Project Glad. And over the years, I've seen a few different takes on the Sentence Patterning Chart. As a certified Project GLAD trainer, I not only used the technique with my own students but I also trained teachers in the technique. 
Here's how to implement it in your lesson plans to benefit all students: 
1. Introduce the chart once students have some knowledge about the unit or theme. For example, if your unit is about farm animals, the sentence patterning chart would be appropriate after students already know about the animals, types, what they do, where they live, etc. 
2. Create an outline of a 5 column chart in pencil very lightly so your students can't see the titles of the columns. Title the columns Adjective, Noun, Verb, Adverb, Prepositional Phrase (in that order). 
3. Now, with students in close proximity, introduce a column at a time. Start with the noun. You might say something like this:
"A noun names a person, place, animal, or thing." As you are talking, trace over the word NOUN that you wrote in pencil with a colored marker and then draw a sketch of a person, place, animal and thing. 
Then you might say:
"Today we are going to make lots of sentences about animals because we've been learning all about farm animals." Then write "animals" under the NOUN column. *The noun you use must be plural.
4. Next, explain what adjectives are. Trace over the word in a different colored marker. 
5. Have students turn and teach their partner what an adjective is and share examples of adjective with one another. After a few moments, allow them to popcorn out as many adjectives as they can while you list them under the ADJECTIVE column using the colored marker. When the column is filled, stop to read each word in the list with the class. This can be practiced as a choral reading (read together) or echo reading (you read a word and they echo it back). 
6. Repeat step 5 for the verb, adverb, and prepositional phrase columns. 
7. Now that the chart is filled, we can move to the chanting and creating sentences using the Farmer and Dell tune.  First model by singing this to the tune of Farmer and the Dell: 
Adjective, Adjective, Noun.
Adjective, Adjective, Noun. 
Adjective, Adjective, Noun, Verb, Adverb, Prepositional Phrase. 
Then, place a sticky note by the words students will sing. 

View the YouTube Video below to watch a demonstration of this lesson. 

My friend, Katie Toppel from Oregon, also loves Sentence Patterning Charts and has used them with students. She presented this topic at TexTESOL in November 2017. To learn about how she uses them click here. 

Let me know how your SPC lesson goes! Send pictures too! And connect with me on Twitter @ValentinaESL