• 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? • We saw a deer with huge antlers on our walk. • We saw a deer on our walk with huge antlers. • On our walk with huge antlers, we saw a deer. • With huge antlers, we saw a deer on our walk. (We saw a deer with huge antlers on our walk. / We saw a deer on our walk with huge antlers. / On our walk with huge antlers, we saw a deer. / With huge antlers, we saw a deer on our walk.) → We saw a deer with huge antlers on our walk.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? • 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?
3. Which sentence is written correctly, with the describing words next to what they describe? • After finishing her homework, the TV was switched on. • The TV, after finishing her homework, was on. • After finishing her homework, the TV showed a film. • After finishing her homework, Lina watched TV. (After finishing her homework, the TV was switched on. / The TV, after finishing her homework, was on. / After finishing her homework, the TV showed a film. / After finishing her homework, Lina watched TV.) → After finishing her homework, Lina watched TV.Prompt: Look at the opening phrase. Who or what is doing that action?

• 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.

• 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.

• 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. / the young of some lizards are born live. / some lizards give birth to live young.) → some lizards give birth to live young.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?
2. Found only on a few islands in the Pacific, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (laws now protect the bird. / scientists have campaigned to protect the bird. / the bird is now protected by law. / protection by law has been given to the bird.) → the bird is now protected by law.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?

• 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. A pioneer of early computing, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (Ada Lovelace wrote what many consider the first computer program. / the notes of Ada Lovelace contain the first program. / the first computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. / many people consider Ada Lovelace's notes the first program.) → Ada Lovelace wrote what many consider the first computer program.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?
2. Having studied the river for a decade, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (it became clear that the salmon were returning. / the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning. / the salmon were seen returning by the biologist. / the return of the salmon was noticed.) → the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-10.