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English lesson plan · 4th grade (Year 5 in England) · 45 minutes

Comma before and, but, or, so in compound sentences

Punctuation

CCSS L.4.2.CEngland: Y4 GPS (commas)England: Y3/4 Writing (proofreading)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Comma before and, but, or, so in compound 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: Simple or compound sentence?; Commas in lists

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

Materials: Punctuation cards, A short unpunctuated text, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Simple or compound sentence?; Commas in lists). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this a simple sentence or a compound sentence? The sun came out. (simple sentence / compound sentence) → simple sentencePrompt: Count the subject–verb pairs. Each pair that could stand alone is a clause.
  2. Which sentence uses commas correctly? • Ana likes swimming dancing and drawing. • Ana likes swimming, dancing and drawing. • Ana, likes swimming, dancing and drawing. • Ana likes, swimming, dancing, and drawing. (Ana likes swimming dancing and drawing. / Ana likes swimming, dancing and drawing. / Ana, likes swimming, dancing and drawing. / Ana likes, swimming, dancing, and drawing.) → Ana likes swimming, dancing and drawing.Prompt: Commas separate the items in a list.
  3. Which one is a compound sentence? (We can paint, or we can build a den. / We can paint and build a den. / Painting is fun on a rainy day. / We painted pictures of dens.) → We can paint, or we can build a den.Prompt: Count the subject–verb pairs. Each pair that could stand alone is a clause.

Hook · 5 min

  • Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
  • Share the objective: Comma before and, but, or, so in compound sentences. 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: Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? The puppy was tired but happy.
  • Step 1: Use a comma before and, but, or or so when it joins two complete sentences.
  • Step 2: So the answer is: No: it is just one sentence
  • Answer: No: it is just one sentence
  • 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.
  1. Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? Would you like milk or water? (Yes: it joins two complete sentences / No: it is just one sentence) → No: it is just one sentencePrompt: Cover the joining word. Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides?
  2. Which sentence has the comma in the right place? (My phone, was flat so I couldn't call. / My phone was flat so, I couldn't call. / My phone was, flat so I couldn't call. / My phone was flat, so I couldn't call.) → My phone was flat, so I couldn't call.Prompt: The comma goes just BEFORE the joining word, not after it.

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.
  1. Which sentence has the comma in the right place? (The film was long, but nobody got bored. / The film, was long but nobody got bored. / The film was long but, nobody got bored. / The film was long but nobody, got bored.) → The film was long, but nobody got bored.Prompt: The comma goes just BEFORE the joining word, not after it.
  2. Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? The puppy was tired but happy. (Yes: it joins two complete sentences / No: it is just one sentence) → No: it is just one sentencePrompt: Cover the joining word. Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides?

Watch out for

  • Using commas where a full stop (period) is needed.
  • Putting apostrophes in plurals (apple's).

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Simple or compound sentence?.
  • Use concrete materials: punctuation cards.
  • 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-4.

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

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Comma before and, but, or, so in compound sentences

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? Grandma knits scarves and hats.

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence has the comma in the right place?

    • A. My phone was flat so, I couldn't call.
    • B. My phone was flat, so I couldn't call.
    • C. My phone was, flat so I couldn't call.
    • D. My phone, was flat so I couldn't call.

  3. Question 3

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? It was cold so I wore my gloves.

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

  4. Question 4

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? Leo built the walls and Sam painted the roof.

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

  5. Question 5

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? The puppy was tired but it still wanted to play.

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

  6. Question 6

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? Leo and Sam built a treehouse.

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

  7. Question 7

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? We packed sandwiches and juice.

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

  8. Question 8

    Does this sentence need a comma before the joining word? Would you like milk or water?

    • A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences
    • B. No: it is just one sentence

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Answer key: Comma before and, but, or, so in compound sentences

  1. 1. B. No: it is just one sentence

  2. 2. B. My phone was flat, so I couldn't call.

  3. 3. A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences

  4. 4. A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences

  5. 5. A. Yes: it joins two complete sentences

  6. 6. B. No: it is just one sentence

  7. 7. B. No: it is just one sentence

  8. 8. B. No: it is just one sentence