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English lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 30 minutes

Modifier placement in complex sentences

Grammar

CCSS L.9-10.1England: SAT Standard English ConventionsEngland: ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Modifier placement in complex sentences.

  • 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: Misplaced and dangling modifiers

Leads to: SAT/ACT Standard English Conventions (mixed); After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT)

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 (Misplaced and dangling modifiers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which sentence is written correctly, with the describing words next to what they describe? • Having lost the map, a farmer gave the hikers directions. • Having lost the map, the directions were asked for. • Having lost the map, directions were needed. • Having lost the map, the hikers asked for directions. (Having lost the map, a farmer gave the hikers directions. / Having lost the map, the directions were asked for. / Having lost the map, directions were needed. / Having lost the map, the hikers asked for directions.) → Having lost the map, the hikers asked for directions.Prompt: Look at the opening phrase. Who or what is doing that action?
  2. Which sentence is written correctly, with the describing words next to what they describe? • Nadia ate one only biscuit. • Nadia ate only one biscuit. • Nadia only ate one biscuit only. • Only Nadia ate one biscuit and nothing else. (Nadia ate one only biscuit. / Nadia ate only one biscuit. / Nadia only ate one biscuit only. / Only Nadia ate one biscuit and nothing else.) → Nadia ate only one biscuit.Prompt: Look at the opening phrase. Who or what is doing that action?
  3. Which sentence is written correctly, with the describing words next to what they describe? • Barking loudly, the dog chased the postman. • The postman, barking loudly, was chased by the dog. • Barking loudly, the postman was chased by the dog. • Barking loudly, the postman ran from the dog. (Barking loudly, the dog chased the postman. / The postman, barking loudly, was chased by the dog. / Barking loudly, the postman was chased by the dog. / Barking loudly, the postman ran from the dog.) → Barking loudly, the dog chased the postman.Prompt: Look at the opening phrase. Who or what is doing that action?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
  • Share the objective: Modifier placement in complex sentences. 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: Known for her bold colours, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?
  • Step 1: An introductory modifier describes the noun that comes straight after the comma.
  • Step 2: The painter is known for bold colours, so 'the painter' follows the comma.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases.
  • Answer: the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases.
  • 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. Unlike most reptiles, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (giving birth to live young is common in some lizards. / live young are born to some lizards. / some lizards give birth to live young. / the young of some lizards are born live.) → some lizards give birth to live young.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?
  2. Known for her bold colours, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (the gallery was filled with bright canvases. / the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases. / bright canvases filled the gallery. / critics praised the painter's canvases.) → the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?

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. Found only on a few islands in the Pacific, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (laws now protect the bird. / protection by law has been given to the bird. / scientists have campaigned to protect the bird. / the bird is now protected by law.) → the bird is now protected by law.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?
  2. Known for her bold colours, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases. / critics praised the painter's canvases. / bright canvases filled the gallery. / the gallery was filled with bright canvases.) → the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?

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: Misplaced and dangling modifiers.
  • 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: SAT/ACT Standard English Conventions (mixed); After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT).
  • 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-10.

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

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Modifier placement in complex sentences

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Having studied the river for a decade, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?

    • A. the salmon were seen returning by the biologist.
    • B. it became clear that the salmon were returning.
    • C. the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning.
    • D. the return of the salmon was noticed.

  2. Question 2

    Originally built as a grain store, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?

    • A. visitors now enjoy modern art in the building.
    • B. the town converted the building into a gallery.
    • C. a modern art gallery now fills the building.
    • D. the building now houses a modern art gallery.

  3. Question 3

    Found only on a few islands in the Pacific, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?

    • A. the bird is now protected by law.
    • B. scientists have campaigned to protect the bird.
    • C. protection by law has been given to the bird.
    • D. laws now protect the bird.

  4. Question 4

    Known for her bold colours, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?

    • A. the gallery was filled with bright canvases.
    • B. critics praised the painter's canvases.
    • C. bright canvases filled the gallery.
    • D. the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases.

  5. Question 5

    A pioneer of early computing, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?

    • A. the first computer program was written by Ada Lovelace.
    • B. many people consider Ada Lovelace's notes the first program.
    • C. the notes of Ada Lovelace contain the first program.
    • D. Ada Lovelace wrote what many consider the first computer program.

  6. Question 6

    Unlike most reptiles, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly?

    • A. giving birth to live young is common in some lizards.
    • B. the young of some lizards are born live.
    • C. some lizards give birth to live young.
    • D. live young are born to some lizards.

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Answer key: Modifier placement in complex sentences

  1. 1. C. the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning.

  2. 2. D. the building now houses a modern art gallery.

  3. 3. A. the bird is now protected by law.

  4. 4. D. the painter filled the gallery with bright canvases.

  5. 5. D. Ada Lovelace wrote what many consider the first computer program.

  6. 6. C. some lizards give birth to live young.