Teaching page · Grade 2 · Lesson 17

Sentences with a joining word

A dictated sentence with a joining word is held and written in three pieces.

What it is

Two ideas joined into one sentence must still end with only ONE period. The commonest dictation error here is finishing the first idea with a period out of habit and starting the second with a capital, which breaks one sentence into two.

Watch it built

1
Listen for the joining word. It tells you the sentence is not over.
The sun rose and the ice melted.
2
Write the first idea — and do not put a period after it.
The sun rose
3
Write the joining word and the second idea, then one period at the very end.
The sun rose and the ice melted.
Remember
A joining word means the sentence is not over. One period, at the end.
Ask yourself: “Have I got both halves and the word between them?”

Remember

Write the first idea, the joining word, then the second.

56