How to Teach Kids to Diagram Sentences - Part 1

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through teaching kids how to diagram sentences. Sentence diagrams help students visualize the relationships between different parts of a sentence, making it easier to understand grammar and sentence structure. This guide focuses on three specific sentence patterns and introduces the concept of modifiers.

Step 1: Understanding the Basic Sentence Structure

Before diving into diagramming, ensure the children understand the basic components of a sentence.

• Subject: The person, place, or thing the sentence is about.
• Predicate: The part of the sentence that tells something about the subject.
• Direct Object: The noun that receives the action of the verb.

Practical Advice

• Start with simple sentences, such as "The dog barks."
• Identify the subject (The dog), predicate (barks), and direct object (if applicable, e.g., "The dog chased the ball").

Step 2: Diagramming a Simple Sentence

Teach kids how to create a basic diagram for a simple sentence.

1. Draw a horizontal line to represent the baseline of the sentence.
2. Split the line with a vertical line to separate the subject and predicate.
3. Write the subject on the left and the predicate on the right.
4. If there is a direct object, draw another vertical line after the predicate and write the direct object.

Example

For the sentence "The dog chased the ball":

• Draw a horizontal line.
• Split it with a vertical line.
• Write "The dog" on the left and "chased" on the right.
• Add another vertical line after "chased" and write "the ball."

Step 3: Introducing Compound Subjects and Predicates

Next, teach the concept of compound subjects and predicates.

Diagramming a Compound Sentence

1. For sentences with a compound subject, write both subjects on the left side of the vertical line.
2. For a compound predicate, write both verbs on the right side, connected by a small diagonal line.

Example

For the sentence "The cat and dog chased and caught the ball":

• Draw the baseline and vertical line.
• Write "The cat and dog" on the left and "chased and caught" on the right.

Step 4: Diagramming with Modifiers

Introduce modifiers to enhance sentence understanding.

Understanding Modifiers

• Modifiers: Words that describe or limit other words (e.g., adjectives, adverbs).

Diagramming Modifiers

1. Place modifiers directly beneath the word they modify.
2. Use a slanted line connecting the modifier to the word.

Example

For the sentence "The big dog chased the red ball":

• Write "The dog" on the left and "chased" on the right.
• Place "big" beneath "dog" and "red" beneath "ball."

Conclusion

Teaching kids to diagram sentences is a valuable skill that enhances their understanding of grammar and sentence structure. Start with simple sentences, gradually introduce compound elements, and incorporate modifiers to deepen their comprehension. For additional resources, including teaching templates and practice pages, visit Lynn Scotty's Slideshare. Encourage practice with various sentences to reinforce these concepts.