Tell me about it
Syntax refers to the order of words in a sentence that makes the sentence understandable. While often a trouble spot for nonnative speakers, learning to navigate syntax improves fluency and comprehension, making it crucial for all students to master.
Considerations for instructional planning
Look for instances and examples where syntax is unusual - perhaps for effect.
Note juicy longer sentences that require breaking into manageable chunks.
Be aware that ELLs will need direct assistance and support.
Think not only about syntax in reading complex text, but also include it in writing assignments and instruction.
Use mentor texts to teach syntax.
Remember that syntax instruction benefits all students K through 12!
Be sure to
Talk directly about syntax. Explain that words have a certain order in a sentence and sentences come in different patterns - and represent those ideas graphically!
Play with word order in sentences to see if the meaning changes.
Practice Sentence Unscrambling where students put meaningful chunks of a sentence into a logical sequence. Practice Sentence Expanding where students change basic sentences into more complex sentences. Practice Sentence Imitation where students work with different syntax patterns from mentor texts when writing.
Use songs, poems, and choral reading to practice syntax.
Tools and Resources
Experiment with Cloze sentences.
Work with Juicy Sentences. Achieve the Core Juicy Sentence Guidance.
Practice sentence combining.
Watch Lily Wong's Juicy Sentences in action in this video.
Check out this Pinterest board with syntax activities.
This interesting article from the National Writing Project is penned by a mother who worked with her son to improve his syntax when writing.
Have fun with syntax; read Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wicked Good Prose by Constance Hale.
Check out Don and Jenny Killgallon's books on sentence composing. There is one each for elementary, middle, and high school.
Laugh and learn with June Casagrande's book, It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences: A Writer's Guide to Crafting Killer Sentences.
Research
The Summer Edition 2013 of Perspectives on Language and Literacy Learning focuses on syntax and includes excellent articles:
"Syntax Development in the School Age Years: Implications for Assessment and Intervention"
"The Role of Complex Sentence Knowledge in Children with Reading and Writing Difficulties"
"Syntax: Somewhere Between Words and Text"
Glossary and Basic Vocabulary for Syntax
Interesting PowerPoint: Syntax: Somewhere between Words and Text by Nancy Eberhardt
Teaching student about coding can create an awareness of syntax