English lesson plan · 5th grade (Year 6 in England) · 45 minutes
Correlative conjunctions and interjections
Grammar
CCSS L.5.1.ACCSS L.5.1.EEngland: Y5/6 GPS
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Correlative conjunctions and interjections.
- 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: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating
Leads to: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and
Materials: Sentence strips, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. We waited at the bus stop ___ the bus finally came. (unless / until / or / because) → untilPrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
- Which word or phrase is the subordinating conjunction? She smiled when she saw the cake. (cake / smiled / when / saw) → whenPrompt: A subordinating conjunction starts a clause that cannot stand on its own.
- Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. ___ he was tired, Jamal finished the race. (So / Unless / Because / Although) → AlthoughPrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
Hook · 5 min
- Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
- Share the objective: Correlative conjunctions and interjections. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Choose the word that completes the pair. I don't know ___ to laugh or cry.
- Step 1: Correlative conjunctions work in pairs: either/or, neither/nor, both/and, not only/but also, whether/or.
- Step 2: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "I don't know whether to laugh or cry."
- Step 3: So the answer is: whether
- Answer: whether
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Choose the word that completes the pair. We can ___ walk nor cycle in this snow. (both / neither / either / whether) → neitherPrompt: Correlative conjunctions come in pairs.
- Which word is the interjection? Oops, I dropped my ice cream. (dropped / my / ice cream / Oops) → OopsPrompt: An interjection is a word that shows a sudden feeling.
You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Choose the word that completes the pair. ___ my brother nor my sister likes olives. (Whether / Both / Neither / Either) → NeitherPrompt: Correlative conjunctions come in pairs.
- Which word is the interjection? Oops, I dropped my ice cream. (Oops / dropped / my / ice cream) → OopsPrompt: An interjection is a word that shows a sudden feeling.
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: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.
- 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: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and.
- 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-5.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder