Instructional Minute

What Are Sentence Stems?

Sentence stems are partially completed sentences that provide students with academic language structures to support discussion, reasoning, and collaboration. They lower the language barrier while increasing the quality of student talk.

Why Sentence Stems Matter

Sentence stems help students:

• Participate more confidently in discussions

• Use academic and discipline-specific language

• Explain reasoning and build on others’ ideas

• Engage in productive academic discourse

• Support claims with evidence
  
  

They are especially effective for:

• English learners

• Structured discussions (Socratic seminar, turn-and-talk, debates)

• Reluctant speakers

1. Model First
   Demonstrate how to use the stem in a response before asking students to try it.

2. Post and Reference
   Display stems visibly (anchor charts, slides, desk cards).

3. Start Simple, Then Scaffold
   Begin with basic stems and gradually introduce more complex academic language.

4. Require Use During Discussion
   Ask students to respond using a stem at least once per discussion.

English Language Arts

Analyzing Text

• “The author suggests ___ when they state ___.”

• “This detail supports the theme because ___.”

• “A key difference between the characters is ___.”
  

Discussion & Response

• “I agree with ___ because ___.”

• “I’d like to add to what ___ said…”
  

Mathematics

Explaining Thinking

• “I solved the problem by first ___.”

• “The pattern I noticed was ___.”
  

Justifying Answers

• “My answer makes sense because ___.”

• “Another way to solve this would be ___.”
  

Science

Analyzing Evidence

• “The data shows ___, which suggests ___.”

• “Based on the results, I can infer that ___.”
  

Scientific Reasoning

• “If ___ happens, then ___ will occur because ___.”

• “This experiment supports the idea that ___.”
  

Social Studies

Analyzing Sources

• “This source is reliable because ___.”

• “The author’s perspective is influenced by ___.”
  

Discussion & Argument

• “One cause of this event was ___.”
  “This decision affected ___ by ___.”
  

The Arts

Analysis & Reflection

• “This piece communicates ___ through ___.”

• “The artist uses ___ to create ___.”
  

Critique & Response

• “One strength of this work is ___.”

• “If I revised this, I would change ___ because ___.”

How are Lansing teachers committing to building a culture of learning?

"Working with faculty and staff to meet the needs of ALL of my students."

"Creating time for collaboration."

"Building a sense of ownership of our program, actions, and culture."

The 4th and 5th grade instructional minute rack cards have been updated. Social Studies and Science minutes now show a range, giving teachers flexibility to include an optional 15-minute recess.

If recess is used and actively supervised by the teacher, it may count toward the instructional minutes for the day.

As we move through the midpoint of the year, this is a good time to revisit key practices from our BOOST and Tier 2 intervention trainings to support consistent and strong implementation across classrooms. For additional details or a helpful refresher, you may also reference the

District Comprehensive Literacy Plan.

As a reminder, here are the recommended usage expectations for Boost Reading and Boost Close Reading:

• Grades K–3 (Boost Reading): 30–45 minutes per week, 10–15 minutes per session, 3–4 times per week

• Grades 4–5 (Boost Reading): 40–60 minutes per week, 20 minutes per session, 3–4 times per week

• Grades 6–8 (Boost Close Reading): Typically used 20–30 minutes, 2–3 times per week. Some teachers choose one 45-minute session weekly or shorter 15-minute daily sessions.

🔥🔥Did You Know? 🔥🔥

Grades 6–8 State Test Prep

These recommendations are designed to provide flexibility while maximizing instructional impact.

We are looking forward to seeing you at the next Math Steering on Jan. 27. Please look for an email from Ms. Sarah Kentner.

K-8 Math Steering Committee meets on the last Tuesday of every month!

We are looking forward to seeing you at the next 9-12 Math Steering on Jan. 15 at 3pm. Please look for an email from Steering Chair Liz Ballinger or Nicole Minor to join virtually.

9-12 Math Steering Committee meets on the second Thursday of every month!

The K-8 Science Steering Committee is working on rebuilding. More information to come!

The documents attached outline K-8 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website. *Please note that pacing for Illustrative Math powered by Kiddom and Reveal Math will become available as the year progresses.

The document attached outlines 9-12 curricular resources, standards and pacing. This can also be found by clicking here on the LSD website.

A resource to use as you see fit.

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