• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Joining ideas with and, but, or and so; Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the best joining word. Kim plays the drums ___ her sister plays the piano. (or / and / but / so) → andPrompt: and adds, but shows a surprise or a difference, or gives a choice, so shows a result.
2. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. We stayed indoors ___ it was pouring with rain. (unless / although / because / so) → becausePrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
3. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? I wanted cake. There was none left. (I wanted cake or there was none left. / I wanted cake, but there was none left. / I wanted cake, so there was none left.) → I wanted cake, but there was none left.Prompt: How are the two ideas connected? Adding? Different? Because of?

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Subordinating conjunctions: when, if, because, although, until. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Choose the conjunction that makes the best sense. We cannot go to the beach ___ it stops raining.
• Step 1: A subordinating conjunction starts a clause that depends on the main clause and shows how they connect.
• Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "We cannot go to the beach unless it stops raining."
• Step 3: So the answer is: unless
• Answer: unless
• 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. Choose the conjunction that makes the best sense. ___ the film was long, nobody got bored. (Although / Until / Because / If) → AlthoughPrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? Before the film started, we bought popcorn. (bought / Before / film / started) → BeforePrompt: Find the word that joins two parts of the sentence.

• 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 word is the subordinating conjunction? Although she was tired, Zara kept dancing. (Although / tired / dancing / kept) → AlthoughPrompt: Find the word that joins two parts of the sentence.
2. You can borrow my bike if you bring it back. What does "if" show here? (time / reason / condition / contrast) → conditionPrompt: Ask: is it about WHEN, WHY, WHAT IF, or a SURPRISE?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-3.