• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Subordinating conjunctions: when, if, because, although, until; Simple or compound sentence?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the conjunction that makes the best sense. We cannot go to the beach ___ it stops raining. (unless / so / because / although) → unlessPrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Is this a simple sentence or a compound sentence? The sun came out. (simple sentence / compound sentence) → simple sentencePrompt: Count the subject–verb pairs. Each pair that could stand alone is a clause.
3. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? The baby smiles whenever she sees the cat. (cat / sees / whenever / smiles) → wheneverPrompt: Find the word that joins two parts of the sentence.

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Main clause or subordinate clause?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which part is the SUBORDINATE clause? We stayed indoors because it was cold.
• Step 1: A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause adds information and depends on the main clause.
• Step 2: So the answer is: because it was cold
• Answer: because it was cold
• 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. Which part is the SUBORDINATE clause? Since it was late, we took a taxi. (late, we / we took a taxi / Since it was late) → Since it was latePrompt: A subordinate clause starts with a word like although, because, when, if, until, since, before, as or unless.
2. Which part is the MAIN clause? When the bell rang, the children lined up. (the bell / the children lined up / When the bell rang) → the children lined upPrompt: Cover each part. Which one could be a sentence by itself?

• 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. Which part is the SUBORDINATE clause? I will wait here until you come back. (I will wait here / until you come back / wait here until) → until you come backPrompt: A subordinate clause starts with a word like although, because, when, if, until, since, before, as or unless.
2. Which part is the MAIN clause? We stayed indoors because it was cold. (because it was cold / indoors because / We stayed indoors) → We stayed indoorsPrompt: Cover each part. Which one could be a sentence by itself?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.