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Making Sentences Make Sense with Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone

Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers

Chapters
0:00
Why Sentences Derail Comprehension
1:32
Meet Nancy Hennessy And Julia Salomon
3:26
Syntax Explained In Plain Language
6:30
Meaning Over Labels In Grammar
10:15
Building Blocks: Phrases And Clauses
15:05
Function First: Teaching For Meaning
18:24
Visuals And Content To Teach Syntax
22:56
Knowledge, Language, And Mental Models
26:25
Sentence Troublemakers To Watch
30:25
Modeling How To Parse Complex Text
33:50
Strategy 1: Questioning And Parsing
38:32
Strategy 2: Combining And Expanding
43:30
Strategy 3: Explicit Instruction & Prep
48:40
Practice To Independence Across Tiers
52:44
Encouragement And Closing Resources
Melissa & Lori Love Literacy ® | Science of Reading for Teachers
Making Sentences Make Sense with Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone
Dec 05, 2025

Episode 241

Nancy Hennessy and Julia Salamone discuss the often-overlooked topic of syntax and its critical role in reading comprehension. With Melissa & Lori, they discuss the architecture of sentences, the importance of understanding parts of speech, and the interconnectedness of syntax and meaning. The conversation highlights effective teaching strategies, the challenges posed by complex sentences, and the necessity of integrating background knowledge for comprehension. Nancy and Julia share practical instructional moves, emphasizing the need for explicit instruction and cognitive preparation to enhance students' understanding of sentence structures.

Takeaways

  • Syntax is the architecture of a sentence. It is essential for understanding sentence structure and meaning.
  • Explicit instruction is necessary for effective learning of syntax.
  • Teaching grammar needs to focus on meaning, not just labeling.
  • Engaging students with authentic texts improves comprehension.
  • Integrating background knowledge is crucial for comprehension.

Resources 

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