The Emu and the Jabiru - Simple and Complex Sentence Sorting
The Simple and Complex Sentence Sorting activity is based on the Dreamtime story The Emu and the Jabiru and supports students in building sentence structure awareness. With 50 themed sentences, students sort them into simple or complex categories—boosting grammar skills while deepening engagement with characters, setting, and cultural context from the story.
Perfect for integrating grammar with Indigenous literature and comprehension.
Learning goals
- We are learning to identify features, such as characters and settings, of different literary texts and give reasons for personal preferences.
- We are learning to draw connections between personal experiences and the worlds of texts and share responses with others.
- We are learning to identify aspects of different types of literary texts that entertain and give reasons for personal preferences.
- We are learning to draw connections between personal experiences and the worlds of texts, and share responses with others.
- We are learning to select and discuss texts that satisfy our personal preferences and providing reasoning.
Curriculum alignment
Australian Curriculum covers QLD / SA / WA / NT / TAS / ACT.
Differentiation
Modifications
• Start with 10–15 sentences for supported learners.
• Highlight conjunctions or dependent clauses as visual cues.
• Use oral retelling and sentence deconstruction before sorting.
Extensions
• Students write their own sentences to match the story.
• Use sorted sentences for editing or expansion into short paragraphs.
• Incorporate into a group game (e.g. sentence sorting relay).