1.) Have students copy selected simple sentences from the board. Create a column for the "-ing" verb form that could be used with each sentence. Rewrite sentences on the board, based on student input. Discuss the importance of starting sentences in a variety of ways. Then, introduce the Sentence Opening Technique. Organize students into groups of four. Send students to the board in pairs to write examples of sentences with introductory participles. Fill the entire board with these examples. When students have finished, point to the examples and have students put a "thumb up" if the entire sentence is correct or "thumb down" if it needs to be revised. If a sentence needs to be revised, have groups buzz together and write a revision on a transparency. Collect the transparencies and share the revised sentences with the whole class. Expand this activity by having students search for other examples of sentence variety. Once they have copied the sentence and outlined the pattern, have them follow the pattern and write original sentences. As "sponge" activities during the first five minutes of each class period, have students look at the sentence "pattern" and write original sentences.

1.) Working as partners, have the students start sentences with words ending in "-ing." The students are responsible for assessing their own work, using the handout practice sheet "Sentence Opening Technique." Students are also responsible for proper use of standard English conventions. Monitor students while they are working, offering suggestions, making corrections, and providing encouragement. Students are to use this sentence opening technique in their essays for sentence variety.