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English lesson plan · 7th grade (Year 8 in England) · 30 minutes

What job does the clause do? Adjective, adverb or noun clauses

Grammar

CCSS L.7.1.ACCSS L.9-10.1.BEngland: KS3 English (grammar: clauses)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: What job does the clause do? Adjective, adverb or noun clauses.

  • 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: Independent clause, dependent clause or phrase?

Leads to: Noun clauses: subject, object or complement?

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

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Independent clause, dependent clause or phrase?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is the group of words in brackets an independent clause, a dependent clause, or a phrase? [when the sun sets] (independent clause / dependent clause / phrase (not a clause)) → dependent clausePrompt: Does it have a subject AND a verb? If not, it's a phrase.
  2. Read the question and choose. Which part of this sentence is the dependent clause? "I'll wait here until you get back." (until you get back / get back here / wait / I'll wait here) → until you get backPrompt: Look for a subordinating word (when, because, although, if, until, who).
  3. Is the group of words in brackets an independent clause, a dependent clause, or a phrase? [my cousin plays the drums] (independent clause / dependent clause / phrase (not a clause)) → independent clausePrompt: Does it have a subject AND a verb? If not, it's a phrase.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
  • Share the objective: What job does the clause do? Adjective, adverb or noun clauses. 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: What job does the clause in brackets do? The problem is [that we have no money].
  • Step 1: Adjective clauses describe nouns (who, which, that, whose, where); adverb clauses modify verbs (when, because, if, until, as if); noun clauses act as subjects or objects (what, that, whoever, why).
  • Step 2: It completes 'is' and renames 'the problem'.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: noun clause
  • Answer: noun clause
  • 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. What job does the clause in brackets do? Can you tell me [where the station is]? (adjective (relative) clause / adverb clause / noun clause) → noun clausePrompt: Does it describe a noun (which one?), tell how/when/where/why about a verb, or act as a 'thing' (subject or object)?
  2. In which sentence is the part in brackets this kind of clause: adjective (relative) clause? ([When the rain stopped], we went outside. / This is the park [where we first met]. / I'll call you [if I need help].) → This is the park [where we first met].Prompt: Does it describe a noun (which one?), tell how/when/where/why about a verb, or act as a 'thing' (subject or object)?

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. In which sentence is the part in brackets this kind of clause: adjective (relative) clause? ([What she said] surprised everyone. / Our dog, [which is very old], sleeps all day. / She sings [as if nobody is listening].) → Our dog, [which is very old], sleeps all day.Prompt: Does it describe a noun (which one?), tell how/when/where/why about a verb, or act as a 'thing' (subject or object)?
  2. What job does the clause in brackets do? This is the park [where we first met]. (adjective (relative) clause / adverb clause / noun clause) → adjective (relative) clausePrompt: Does it describe a noun (which one?), tell how/when/where/why about a verb, or act as a 'thing' (subject or object)?

Watch out for

  • Naming the feature but not using it in their own sentences.
  • Thinking a sentence is right because it sounds right when spoken casually.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Independent clause, dependent clause or phrase?.
  • Use concrete materials: sentence strips.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Noun clauses: subject, object or complement?.
  • 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-7.

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

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What job does the clause do? Adjective, adverb or noun clauses

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Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    What job does the clause in brackets do? She sings [as if nobody is listening].

    • A. adjective (relative) clause
    • B. adverb clause
    • C. noun clause
  2. Question 2

    In which sentence is the part in brackets this kind of clause: adjective (relative) clause?

    • A. [Whoever finishes first] can choose the music.
    • B. [When the rain stopped], we went outside.
    • C. The book [that you lent me] was brilliant.
  3. Question 3

    What job does the clause in brackets do? The problem is [that we have no money].

    • A. adjective (relative) clause
    • B. adverb clause
    • C. noun clause
  4. Question 4

    What job does the clause in brackets do? Can you tell me [where the station is]?

    • A. adjective (relative) clause
    • B. adverb clause
    • C. noun clause
  5. Question 5

    In which sentence is the part in brackets this kind of clause: adverb clause?

    • A. Can you tell me [where the station is]?
    • B. [When the rain stopped], we went outside.
    • C. [What she said] surprised everyone.
  6. Question 6

    What job does the clause in brackets do? This is the park [where we first met].

    • A. adjective (relative) clause
    • B. adverb clause
    • C. noun clause

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Answer key: What job does the clause do? Adjective, adverb or noun clauses

  1. 1. B. adverb clause

  2. 2. C. The book [that you lent me] was brilliant.

  3. 3. C. noun clause

  4. 4. C. noun clause

  5. 5. B. [When the rain stopped], we went outside.

  6. 6. A. adjective (relative) clause