Grades 2–3
Join Sentences with And, But or So
Six pairs of short sentences to join with and, but or so, writing each compound sentence with a comma.
Writing worksheet · Sentence building
Stretch a Sentence
Kids stretch two short sentences by adding what kind, where, when and why, then write the long version.
- Grade level
- Grades 2–3
- Time
- About 25 minutes
- Topic
- Sentence building
- Answer key
- Not needed: answers vary
- Kids practice
- Complete sentences, Subjects and predicates, Sentence types, Combining sentences
What kids do
“Make a short sentence longer and better. Answer the questions, then write the whole new sentence.”
Printed on the sheet:
- The dog barked. → The little dog barked at the mail carrier this morning because it wanted to play.
- Start with: The T. rex ran.
- What kind? (add a describing word)
- My stretched sentence:
- Start with: The cat slept.
Teacher tip
Use a stretchy toy or a rubber band to show a sentence growing longer with each new detail.
How to use it
- Read each answer aloud: if it sounds unfinished, it probably is.
- Do the first two examples together, then let kids work with a partner.
- Give a minute at the end to reread the work out loud to a partner.
Watch for
Missing end marks. Have kids touch the last word and add a mark every time.
Talk about it
- Can you find a sentence like this in your reading book?
- What did you change when you reread your work?
Take it further
Play sentence relay: each kid adds one word to a growing sentence.
US Letter, prints well in black and white. Free for home and classroom use: print as many copies as you need.
More sentence building worksheets
Grades K–1
Silly Sentence Mix and Match
Kids build sentences from a who, a does-what and a where box, draw the silliest one and write two.
Grades 2–3
Combine with Describing Words
Six pairs of sentences to combine by moving an adjective, like “The cat sleeps. The cat is fluffy.”
Free for teachers
Get the free Classroom Drawing Kit
12 printable pages: six step-by-step lessons, a grid activity, draw-and-write sheets and teacher notes, sent with your welcome email. After that, new classroom printables by email.