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English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 30 minutes

Using subordination to show how ideas relate

Writing & Editing

CCSS L.9-10.1.BCCSS W.9-10.2.CEngland: GCSE English Language (AO5 and AO6)England: SAT Expression of IdeasEngland: ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Using subordination to show how ideas relate.

  • 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: Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases; Combining sentences

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: A model text, Planning frame, Checklists for editing, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases; Combining sentences). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which is the best way to join these sentences? I like apples. I don't like pears. • I like apples, I don't like pears. • I like apples, but I don't like pears. • I like apples because I don't like pears. • I like apples but, I don't like pears. (I like apples, I don't like pears. / I like apples, but I don't like pears. / I like apples because I don't like pears. / I like apples but, I don't like pears.) → I like apples, but I don't like pears.Prompt: How are the two ideas linked: adding, contrasting, giving a reason, or a result?
  2. The fox crept towards the henhouse. It was sniffing the air. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively using a participle phrase? (The fox crept towards the henhouse, it was sniffing the air. / Sniffing the air, the fox crept towards the henhouse. / The fox sniffing crept the air towards the henhouse. / Sniffing the air, the henhouse was approached by the fox.) → Sniffing the air, the fox crept towards the henhouse.Prompt: Turn one sentence into a phrase that describes a noun in the other.
  3. What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? Hidden under the floorboards, the letters stayed secret for a century. (an appositive / a participle phrase) → a participle phrasePrompt: Does the added phrase start with a noun group (a…, the…) or with a verb form (-ing, -ed, -en)?

Hook · 3 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Using subordination to show how ideas relate. 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: Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast?
  • Step 1: Subordination makes one idea depend on another, showing exactly how they relate and which matters most.
  • Step 2: 'Whereas' sets up a direct contrast.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
  • Answer: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
  • 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. Octopuses have three hearts. They are remarkable animals. Which choice makes the main idea 'remarkable animals' and adds the heart fact as supporting detail? (Because they are remarkable animals, octopuses have three hearts. / Octopuses, which have three hearts, are remarkable animals. / Octopuses have three hearts, and they are remarkable animals and. / Octopuses are remarkable animals; but they have three hearts.) → Octopuses, which have three hearts, are remarkable animals.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
  2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. ___ it rains tomorrow, the match will move indoors. (Whereas / Although / Since then / If) → IfPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

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. The volcano was dormant for centuries. It erupted without warning in 1980. Which choice combines the sentences to emphasise the surprise of the eruption? (The volcano erupted in 1980, so it was dormant for centuries. / Because the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980. / Although the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980. / The volcano was dormant for centuries, and it erupted without warning in 1980.) → Although the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
  2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. ___ the storm had passed, the ferries started running again. (Once / Unless / Although / Whereas) → OncePrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

Watch out for

  • Writing everything at once without planning.
  • Editing only spelling and not whether the writing makes sense.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases.
  • Use concrete materials: a model text.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • 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-9.

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

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Using subordination to show how ideas relate

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    The bridge was closed. Engineers found cracks in its supports. Which choice shows the cause most clearly?

    • A. The bridge was closed although engineers found cracks in its supports.
    • B. The bridge was closed, but engineers found cracks in its supports.
    • C. The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports.
    • D. The bridge was closed unless engineers found cracks in its supports.

  2. Question 2

    Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. ___ it rains tomorrow, the match will move indoors.

    • A. Since then
    • B. Although
    • C. If
    • D. Whereas

  3. Question 3

    The volcano was dormant for centuries. It erupted without warning in 1980. Which choice combines the sentences to emphasise the surprise of the eruption?

    • A. Although the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980.
    • B. Because the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980.
    • C. The volcano erupted in 1980, so it was dormant for centuries.
    • D. The volcano was dormant for centuries, and it erupted without warning in 1980.

  4. Question 4

    Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. We left early ___ we could get good seats.

    • A. so that
    • B. unless
    • C. whereas
    • D. although

  5. Question 5

    Octopuses have three hearts. They are remarkable animals. Which choice makes the main idea 'remarkable animals' and adds the heart fact as supporting detail?

    • A. Octopuses have three hearts, and they are remarkable animals and.
    • B. Because they are remarkable animals, octopuses have three hearts.
    • C. Octopuses, which have three hearts, are remarkable animals.
    • D. Octopuses are remarkable animals; but they have three hearts.

  6. Question 6

    The team trained in the rain all week. They were ready for the muddy final. Which choice shows the result most clearly?

    • A. Unless the team trained in the rain all week, they were ready.
    • B. Although the team trained in the rain all week, they were ready for the muddy final.
    • C. The team trained in the rain all week, but they were ready for the muddy final.
    • D. Having trained in the rain all week, the team was ready for the muddy final.

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Answer key: Using subordination to show how ideas relate

  1. 1. C. The bridge was closed because engineers found cracks in its supports.

  2. 2. C. If

  3. 3. A. Although the volcano had been dormant for centuries, it erupted without warning in 1980.

  4. 4. A. so that

  5. 5. C. Octopuses, which have three hearts, are remarkable animals.

  6. 6. D. Having trained in the rain all week, the team was ready for the muddy final.