• 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. It was raining, ___ we played inside. (and / or / but / so) → soPrompt: 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. Put the milk back in the fridge ___ you have finished with it. (or / unless / although / when) → whenPrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
3. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? The sun came out. We went to the beach. (The sun came out, so 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.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. We stayed inside ___ it was pouring with rain. (until / unless / although / because) → becausePrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? Because the path was icy, we walked carefully. (icy / path / carefully / Because) → BecausePrompt: 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. Choose the conjunction that makes the best sense. We stayed inside ___ it was pouring with rain. (although / unless / because / until) → becausePrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? Although she was tired, Zara kept dancing. (kept / tired / Although / dancing) → AlthoughPrompt: Find the word that joins two parts of the sentence.

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