English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 45 minutes
Logical comparisons: comparing like with like
Grammar
CCSS L.9-10.1CCSS L.11-12.1.BEngland: SAT Standard English Conventions (Form, Structure, and Sense)England: ACT English
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Logical comparisons: comparing like with like.
- 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: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and; Comparatives and superlatives
Leads to: Avoiding double comparatives and comparing absolutes
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 (Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and; Comparatives and superlatives). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Is this sentence correct? The plan neither was practical nor affordable. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
- Choose the correct form of the adjective. This bag is ___ than that one. (heaviest / heavyer / more heavy / heavier) → heavierPrompt: Are you comparing two things or more than two?
- Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The plan was neither practical or affordable. • The plan neither was practical nor affordable. • The plan was neither practical nor affordable. • The plan was neither practical nor could we afford it. (The plan was neither practical or affordable. / The plan neither was practical nor affordable. / The plan was neither practical nor affordable. / The plan was neither practical nor could we afford it.) → The plan was neither practical nor affordable.Prompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
Hook · 5 min
- Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
- Share the objective: Logical comparisons: comparing like with like. 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 option that makes a logical comparison. The climate of Spain is warmer than ___.
- Step 1: Compare like with like: the climate of Spain vs that of Norway, not vs Norway itself.
- Step 2: Compare climate with climate: 'that of Norway'.
- Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The climate of Spain is warmer than that of Norway."
- Step 4: So the answer is: that of Norway
- Answer: that of Norway
- 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.
- Is this sentence correct in formal written English? The salary of a nurse is lower than a doctor. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: What exactly is being compared on the first side? (the climate, the battery, the population…)
- Choose the option that makes a logical comparison. The climate of Spain is warmer than ___. (Norway's climate is / that of Norway / Norway is / Norway) → that of NorwayPrompt: What exactly is being compared on the first side? (the climate, the battery, the population…)
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.
- Is this sentence correct in formal written English? The rules at my school are stricter than my cousin's. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: What exactly is being compared on the first side? (the climate, the battery, the population…)
- Choose the option that makes a logical comparison. Ana's essay was more convincing than ___. (Leo was / Leo's / Leo / Leo himself) → Leo'sPrompt: What exactly is being compared on the first side? (the climate, the battery, the population…)
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: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and.
- 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: Avoiding double comparatives and comparing absolutes.
- 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