• 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. My bike had a flat tyre, ___ Dad fixed it. (but / or / and / 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. I have been happy ___ I got my puppy. (since / so / unless / although) → sincePrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
3. Which is the best way to join the two sentences? I forgot my coat. I felt cold. (I forgot my coat, but I felt cold. / I forgot my coat, so I felt cold. / I forgot my coat or I felt cold.) → I forgot my coat, so I felt cold.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 cannot go to the beach ___ it stops raining. (unless / although / so / because) → unlessPrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? The baby smiles whenever she sees the cat. (smiles / cat / whenever / sees) → wheneverPrompt: 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. (unless / although / until / because) → becausePrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? You can play outside if you finish your lunch. (if / finish / play / outside) → ifPrompt: 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.