English Grammar and Composition: Lesson 1 The Sentence

Looking for a simple, effective way to teach sentence structure in your homeschool? Our FREE English Grammar and Composition Lesson 1: The Sentence is one of our free, vintage-inspired language arts curriculum lessons that introduces the basics of sentence! In this post, you’ll learn how to recognize complete thoughts and the four types of sentences: declarative, imperative, interrogative, and exclamatory.

Perfect for homeschooling parents seeking a straightforward approach to language arts, this lesson combines classic teaching methods with easy-to-follow exercises that build a strong foundation in grammar and writing skills.

As I have been on this homeschooling journey, nothing is more frustrating than deciding on a curriculum, starting it and feeling very much overwhelmed with all of the daily grind of it all.

This grammar and composition curriculum brings us back to our roots, giving us complete control over what is being taught. It is designed for children who already know how to read through high school composition!

This means that you can go as slow as your child needs and not be overwhelmed by the sheer work of it all! Again, as in all my curricula recommendations, this is meant to be a teaching guide.

You are your child’s teacher. If you choose to study sentences by playing a game, then go for it! If you want your child to write it all down in chalk on the sidewalk because that’s what they love- then yes by all means be creative!

This just gives you the step by step guide of teaching English Grammar and Composition as it was taught in 1901! Stay tuned for all 100+ lessons through high school!

Introduction

This lesson introduces the concept of a sentence as a group of words expressing a complete thought. It explains the four types of sentences based on their purpose:

Declarative sentences make statements.
Imperative sentences give commands or requests.
Interrogative sentences ask questions.
Exclamatory sentences express strong or sudden feelings.

Students practice identifying the type and purpose of sentences through examples and exercises, and then create their own sentences of each type to reinforce understanding.

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English Grammar and Composition Lesson 1: The Sentence

Is there a complete thought expressed in each of the following groups of words?

The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.
Honor thy father and thy mother.
Who gathered these beautiful flowers?
How sweetly the birds sing in spring!

A group of words that expresses a complete thought is called a sentence.

Which of the foregoing sentences declares something, which expresses a command, which asks a question, and which expresses a sudden feeling?

A sentence that asserts or declares something is called a declarative sentence.
A sentence that expresses a command or request is called an imperative sentence.
A sentence that asks a question is called an interrogative sentence.
A sentence that expresses a sudden or strong feeling is called an exclamatory sentence.

EXERCISE I.

State the use or office of each of the following sentences, and tell the kind of sentence:—

The sun rises in the East.
Every door opens to a smile.
Keep thy heart with all diligence.
Who is the author of that book?
How tenderly a mother cares for her child!
Every morn is the world made new.
Sharpen this pencil for me.
What bright uniforms the soldiers wear!
The plowman homeward plods his weary way.
How many lines have you written?

EXERCISE II.

Write four declarative sentences.
Write four imperative sentences.
Write three interrogative sentences.
Write two exclamatory sentences.

This in the end of Lesson 1!

Since you get to be the teacher, it might be helpful for other options to teach the 4 types of sentences to help meet your child’s learning style. Feel free to use any of the following options for teaching the 4 types of sentences: