Type a list of sentences using the four sentence forms: interrogative, imperative, exclamatory and declarative. Cut apart the sentences so that each one is on a separate slip of paper. Then fold all the papers and mix them in a basket. Divide the class into two teams and, one at a time, have each student close his or her eyes and draw a slip of paper. The student should read the sentence out loud, then identify what type of sentence it is. If he or she is correct, that team gets one point. If the student is incorrect, say "Kaboom!" His team will then lose all its points and start again from zero. You can also play another variation of this game by having a student draw the name of a type of sentence from the basket and then create a sentence of that type. For example, if a student draws the word "declarative," that student would have to say or write on the board a declarative sentence, such as "The cow jumped over the moon."
This is a good activity to do in the gym or a large room and also allows the students to work off some energy. Label each wall with a type of sentence: interrogative, imperative, exclamatory and declarative. As you call out sentences one at a time, students run to that wall. Then you can randomly choose a student to give his or her own example of that kind of sentence before calling out the next wall.
Divide students into groups of two, three or four and have each team write a play with four characters. Each character can only speak using one type of sentence. The play is usually short; about 10 to 20 lines long. A mystery story works well for this exercise. Each group writes the play in their notebooks and then performs the play for the class. An example would be:
Bobby: Who ate my chocolate bunny? (interrogative)
Tristan: Look for it under your bed. (imperative)
Bobby: Do you think somebody hid it there? (interrogative)
Zain: Oh no, I think the cat might have eaten it! (exclamatory)
Tristan: Be quiet, Zain. (imperative)
Laura: Bobby, your chocolate bunny is in the refrigerator (declarative)
Bobby: Do you want to share the chocolate with me? (interrogative)
Play the command game. Have students take turns writing a command sentence on the board, being sure to use correct punctuation, capitalization and spelling. If it is correct, the other students then have to do what the command says. Continue until everyone has had a turn. Another option is to pair up students and have them conduct interviews with each other and transcribe them into their notebooks. Beforehand, review the traditional words that are used for questions: "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," "how" and "do."