Build sentences from word bricks on a building site: put the words in order, add the capital letter, pick the end mark, find the naming and doing words, and choose the word that makes sense. Big levels build longer sentences, sort nouns, verbs and adjectives, add describing and joining words, place commas in a list and tell questions from statements.
The big ideas
What the levels teach, in grown-up words.
A sentence is words in order. The dog runs makes sense; runs dog the does not. Order carries meaning in English, which is why building sentences from word cards is such a strong early-writing exercise.
Capitals and end marks frame a sentence. A capital letter opens a sentence and a period, question mark or exclamation mark closes it. The end mark also tells the reader how to say it: telling, asking or shouting.
Words have jobs. Nouns name people, animals and things; verbs are actions; adjectives describe. Every sentence has a noun and a verb, and adjectives add the detail that makes writing vivid.
Joining words connect ideas. And adds, but contrasts, because explains, so shows a result and or offers a choice. Choosing the right one turns two short sentences into one clear thought.
Commas keep a list tidy. A hat, a book, and a ball: a comma after each item and the word and before the last keeps the things in a list from running together.
Try it at home
Quick experiments that match the game.
Sentence strips. Write a sentence on a strip of paper, cut it into words, mix them up and rebuild it. Then add one describing word and read it again.
End mark voices. Say the same words three ways: The cat is on the roof. The cat is on the roof? The cat is on the roof! Which mark goes with which voice?
Word job hunt. Pick a page of a picture book and find three nouns, three verbs and three adjectives.
Shopping list commas. Write a shopping list as a sentence: We need milk, eggs, bread, and apples. Count the commas.
Ask after playing:
What goes at the end of a sentence that asks something?
Can you say a sentence with a naming word and a doing word about your pet or toy?
Which joining word would you use: I wanted to play outside ___ it was raining?