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English lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 30 minutes

Hyphens in compound modifiers (a well-known author)

Punctuation

CCSS L.8.2CCSS L.11-12.2.AEngland: KS3 English (punctuation)England: SAT Standard English Conventions

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Hyphens in compound modifiers (a well-known author).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Hyphens to avoid ambiguity

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Punctuation cards, A short unpunctuated text, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Hyphens to avoid ambiguity). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. What does the hyphen tell us this sentence means? She is a little-used book collector. (she collects books that are not used much / she is a small person who collects used books) → she collects books that are not used muchPrompt: The hyphen joins words into one describing word.
  2. What does the hyphen tell us this sentence means? I need to re-cover the sofa. (get better after being ill / put a new cover on it) → put a new cover on itPrompt: The hyphen joins words into one describing word.
  3. What does the hyphen tell us this sentence means? There were twenty-odd people at the party. (about twenty people / twenty strange people) → about twenty peoplePrompt: The hyphen joins words into one describing word.

Hook · 3 min

  • Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
  • Share the objective: Hyphens in compound modifiers (a well-known author). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Choose the correctly punctuated form. My brother is ___.
  • Step 1: Hyphenate words that work together as one adjective before a noun (a well-known author), but not after the noun (the author is well known) or after -ly adverbs.
  • Step 2: After the verb, no hyphens.
  • Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "My brother is ten years old."
  • Step 4: So the answer is: ten years old
  • Answer: ten years old
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated form. It was a ___ book. (beautifully written / beautifully-written) → beautifully writtenPrompt: Does the compound come BEFORE the noun it describes?
  2. Which sentence uses hyphens correctly? • Is this a man-eating shark? • Is this a man eating-shark? • Is this a man eating shark? • Is this a man-eating-shark? (Is this a man-eating shark? / Is this a man eating-shark? / Is this a man eating shark? / Is this a man-eating-shark?) → Is this a man-eating shark?Prompt: Find each group of words before a noun that works as one describing word.

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • 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.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Choose the correctly punctuated form. They live in a ___ flat. (third floor / third-floor) → third-floorPrompt: Does the compound come BEFORE the noun it describes?
  2. Which sentence uses hyphens correctly? • The fast-growing plant needs a sunny spot. • The fast growing plant needs a sunny spot. • The fast growing-plant needs a sunny spot. • The fast-growing-plant needs a sunny spot. (The fast-growing plant needs a sunny spot. / The fast growing plant needs a sunny spot. / The fast growing-plant needs a sunny spot. / The fast-growing-plant needs a sunny spot.) → The fast-growing plant needs a sunny spot.Prompt: Find each group of words before a noun that works as one describing word.

Watch out for

  • Using commas where a full stop (period) is needed.
  • Putting apostrophes in plurals (apple's).

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Hyphens to avoid ambiguity.
  • Use concrete materials: punctuation cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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Hyphens in compound modifiers (a well-known author)

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Choose the correctly punctuated form. We decided at the ___.

    • A. last minute
    • B. last-minute

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence uses hyphens correctly? • The highly-trained team used up to date equipment. • The highly trained team used up-to-date equipment. • The highly trained team used up to-date equipment. • The highly-trained team used up-to-date-equipment.

    • A. The highly-trained team used up to date equipment.
    • B. The highly trained team used up-to-date equipment.
    • C. The highly trained team used up to-date equipment.
    • D. The highly-trained team used up-to-date-equipment.

  3. Question 3

    Choose the correctly punctuated form. It was a ___ decision.

    • A. last-minute
    • B. last minute

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence uses hyphens correctly? • We booked a two-week holiday in a five-star hotel. • We booked a two week holiday in a five star hotel. • We booked a two-week-holiday in a five-star-hotel. • We booked a two-week holiday in a five star-hotel.

    • A. We booked a two-week holiday in a five-star hotel.
    • B. We booked a two week holiday in a five star hotel.
    • C. We booked a two-week-holiday in a five-star-hotel.
    • D. We booked a two-week holiday in a five star-hotel.

  5. Question 5

    Choose the correctly punctuated form. The flat is on the ___.

    • A. third floor
    • B. third-floor

  6. Question 6

    Which sentence uses hyphens correctly? • We booked a two-week holiday in a five star-hotel. • We booked a two-week-holiday in a five-star-hotel. • We booked a two week holiday in a five star hotel. • We booked a two-week holiday in a five-star hotel.

    • A. We booked a two-week holiday in a five star-hotel.
    • B. We booked a two-week-holiday in a five-star-hotel.
    • C. We booked a two week holiday in a five star hotel.
    • D. We booked a two-week holiday in a five-star hotel.

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Answer key: Hyphens in compound modifiers (a well-known author)

  1. 1. A. last minute

  2. 2. B. The highly trained team used up-to-date equipment.

  3. 3. A. last-minute

  4. 4. A. We booked a two-week holiday in a five-star hotel.

  5. 5. A. third floor

  6. 6. D. We booked a two-week holiday in a five-star hotel.