• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases; Combining sentences). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which is the best way to join these sentences? The dog was tired. It lay down. • The dog was tired, it lay down. • The dog was tired, so it lay down. • The dog, was tired so it lay down. • The dog was tired so, it lay down. (The dog was tired, it lay down. / The dog was tired, so it lay down. / The dog, was tired so it lay down. / The dog was tired so, it lay down.) → The dog was tired, so it lay down.Prompt: How are the two ideas linked: adding, contrasting, giving a reason, or a result?
2. Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours. He was exhausted but proud. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively? (Jamal, the marathon, exhausted but proud, under four hours. / Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours, he was exhausted but proud. / Exhausted but proud, Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours. / Exhausted but proud, the marathon was finished by Jamal in under four hours.) → Exhausted but proud, Jamal finished the marathon in under four hours.Prompt: Turn one sentence into a phrase that describes a noun in the other.
3. What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Glowing in the dark, the jellyfish drifted past the boat. (an appositive / a participle phrase) → a participle phrasePrompt: Does the added phrase start with a noun group (a…, the…) or with a verb form (-ing, -ed, -en)?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Using subordination to show how ideas relate. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast?
• Step 1: Subordination makes one idea depend on another, showing exactly how they relate and which matters most.
• Step 2: 'Whereas' sets up a direct contrast.
• Step 3: So the answer is: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• Answer: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. The bridge was closed. Engineers found cracks in its supports. Which choice shows the cause most clearly? (The bridge was closed although engineers found cracks in its supports. / The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports. / The bridge was closed, but engineers found cracks in its supports. / The bridge was closed unless engineers found cracks in its supports.) → The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. Lena prefers science, ___ her twin loves history. (because / whereas / so that / unless) → whereasPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. The bridge was closed. Engineers found cracks in its supports. Which choice shows the cause most clearly? (The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports. / The bridge was closed, but engineers found cracks in its supports. / The bridge was closed unless engineers found cracks in its supports. / The bridge was closed although engineers found cracks in its supports.) → The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. ___ she had never sailed before, she volunteered to steer. (Because / Unless / So that / Even though) → Even thoughPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.