By digging into the ways words come together to bring meaning to the text, readers can crack open the meaning of complex texts they are reading and writers can create sentences that are strong enough to hold the big ideas they want to express. Sentence Digs is an innovative guide from trusted literacy leader, Aimee Buckner Haisten, that shows teachers how to deepen their students’ understanding of reading and writing by harnessing the reciprocal relationship between syntax (sentence structure) and semantics (meaning).

This handy resource establishes an instructional framework for exploring and analyzing grammatical components at the sentence level with engaging lessons, called Sentence Digs. These lessons seamlessly integrate reading comprehension with writing instruction, fostering a strong understanding of their intricate relationship. Students chunk sentences to analyze and discuss their grammatical features, uncovering how word order and structure create meaning for the reader. Then, by manipulating sentence elements, students gain a deeper appreciation for the writer's craft and the choices professional writers make to convey specific ideas and emotions. By the end of the Sentence Dig, students will have opportunities to dig deeper into the text through ongoing discussions and opportunities to practice applying the sentence’s structure in their writing.

Coming in January 2026 — Pre-order today!