The Four Star Sentence

Strategy Corner

The Four Star Sentence poster is in many of our first grade rooms, but could be used in upper grades as well. The four requirements of a good sentence are listed with a star beside each as follows: capital letters (first letter of a sentence, special names), small letters for the rest of the words, good space (between words, in words) and punctuation (period, question mark or exclamation point) at the end of the sentence. Students are to check their writing before handing it in to be sure they have a “four star sentence.” Some teachers have added a fifth star with the requirement that a sentence also needs to make sense.

Four Star Sentence:

  • Capital Letters
    • First letter of a sentence
    • Special names
  • Small letters for the rest of the words
  • Good Space
    • Between words
    • In words
  • Punctuation at the end of sentences
    • Period .
    • Question mark ?
    • Exclamation mark !
By Jo Schreck and Leann Van Dyke, Manchester First Grade Teachers, Eastern Iowa Reading Council
Iowa Reading Association Newsletter, May/June 2002
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