Do you use sentence frames and sentence stems in your ESL class? Help students of all language levels with this helpful scaffolding method.
What are Sentence Frames?
Sentence frames are sentences that have fill-in-the-blank sections where students can add in their own words. They are scaffolds that help students formulate questions or answers to questions. These can be used for any subject and rhetorical mode. Think of them as “language templates.”
Example: I like _____________ because _______________ .
What are Sentence Stems?
Sentence stems are the same as sentence frames, but the first or second part of the sentence is missing. Students simply complete the sentence with their own words.
Example: The main point is ________________.
Benefits
This is a method of scaffolding that can help all students, especially students who need language support. Sometimes students are unable to put their thoughts into words, and sentences frames and stems can give them clues about how to clearly phrase their thoughts. This can help them communicate more effectively, and it will make them more confident speakers and writers!
How to Use this Scaffolding Method in Your Classroom
You can use these on a daily basis in the classroom for any speaking or writing task. Give students a copy of a sentence frames and stems handout – I like to print them on colored sheets so that they are easy to find. Students can take them out during classroom tasks and refer to them whenever they need them.
You can explicitly teach from the handout and show a complete example for each frame/stem. You can focus on one kind of sentence frame/stem depending on what you are doing in class. For example, if you are working on cause/effect, point out and/or teach the cause/effect language.
Grab this FREE PDF! There are over 45 sentence frames and stems on a 2-page handout, along with a teacher’s guide.
