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English lesson plan · 2nd grade (Year 3 in England) · 30 minutes

Joining ideas with and, but, or and so

Grammar

CCSS L.2.1.FEngland: Y2 GPS (co-ordination)England: Y3 GPS

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so.

  • 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: Joining words: and, but, or, because

Leads to: Give reasons with because, also and so; Subordinating conjunctions: when, if, because, although, until; Simple or compound sentence?

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 (Joining words: and, but, or, because). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the joining word that makes the most sense. We wore coats ___ it was cold. (or / because / but) → becausePrompt: Read the sentence with each word.
  2. Choose the joining word that makes the most sense. Would you like milk ___ juice? (because / and / or) → orPrompt: Read the sentence with each word.
  3. Choose the joining word that makes the most sense. The cake looked yummy ___ it tasted bad. (but / because / and) → butPrompt: Read the sentence with each word.

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
  • Share the objective: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so. 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 best joining word. My bike had a flat tyre, ___ Dad fixed it.
  • Step 1: Joining words (conjunctions) link two ideas and show how they connect.
  • Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "My bike had a flat tyre, so Dad fixed it."
  • Step 3: So the answer is: so
  • Answer: so
  • 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 best joining word. The puzzle was hard, ___ we finished it. (but / or / and / so) → butPrompt: and adds, but shows a surprise or a difference, or gives a choice, so shows a result.
  2. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? The sun came out. We went to the beach. (The sun came out, but we went to the beach. / The sun came out or we went to the beach. / The sun came out, so we went to the beach.) → The sun came out, so we went to the beach.Prompt: How are the two ideas connected? Adding? Different? Because of?

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. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? The sun came out. We went to the beach. (The sun came out or we went to the beach. / The sun came out, but we went to the beach. / The sun came out, so we went to the beach.) → The sun came out, so we went to the beach.Prompt: How are the two ideas connected? Adding? Different? Because of?
  2. Choose the best joining word. Kim plays the drums ___ her sister plays the piano. (and / or / so / but) → andPrompt: and adds, but shows a surprise or a difference, or gives a choice, so shows a result.

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: Joining words: and, but, or, because.
  • 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: Give reasons with because, also and so; Subordinating conjunctions: when, if, because, although, until; Simple or compound sentence?.
  • 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-2.

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

eurekami

Joining ideas with and, but, or and so

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Which is the best way to join the two sentences? The film was long. It was very funny.

    • A. The film was long or it was very funny.
    • B. The film was long, so it was very funny.
    • C. The film was long, but it was very funny.

  2. Question 2

    Choose the best joining word. I like apples ___ I like pears too.

    • A. or
    • B. but
    • C. so
    • D. and

  3. Question 3

    Which is the best way to join the two sentences? I wanted cake. There was none left.

    • A. I wanted cake, but there was none left.
    • B. I wanted cake, so there was none left.
    • C. I wanted cake or there was none left.

  4. Question 4

    Choose the best joining word. Ben is tall, ___ his brother is short.

    • A. and
    • B. so
    • C. but
    • D. or

  5. Question 5

    Which is the best way to join the two sentences? I forgot my coat. I felt cold.

    • A. I forgot my coat, so I felt cold.
    • B. I forgot my coat or I felt cold.
    • C. I forgot my coat, but I felt cold.

  6. Question 6

    Choose the best joining word. It was raining, ___ we played inside.

    • A. but
    • B. or
    • C. and
    • D. so

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Answer key: Joining ideas with and, but, or and so

  1. 1. C. The film was long, but it was very funny.

  2. 2. D. and

  3. 3. A. I wanted cake, but there was none left.

  4. 4. C. but

  5. 5. A. I forgot my coat, so I felt cold.

  6. 6. D. so