• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Commas after fronted adverbials and subordinate clauses; Relative clauses). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which sentence has the comma in the right place? • Although, it was cold we swam in the sea. • Although it was, cold we swam in the sea. • Although it was cold we swam, in the sea. • Although it was cold, we swam in the sea. (Although, it was cold we swam in the sea. / Although it was, cold we swam in the sea. / Although it was cold we swam, in the sea. / Although it was cold, we swam in the sea.) → Although it was cold, we swam in the sea.Prompt: Find where the opening phrase or clause ends and the main clause begins.
2. Which part of the sentence is the relative clause? The book that I borrowed was really funny. (was really funny / that I borrowed / I borrowed was / The book) → that I borrowedPrompt: Look for who, which, that, where, when or whose.
3. A: While the children were cooking, the pan caught fire. B: While the children were cooking the pan caught fire. Which sentence is clearer? (A / B) → APrompt: Read both sentences aloud, pausing at each comma.

• Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
• Share the objective: Commas: restrictive vs non-restrictive, coordinate adjectives. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • She wore a bright, red scarf. • She wore a bright red scarf.
• Step 1: Non-restrictive clauses and appositives take commas; restrictive clauses (including 'that' clauses) do not. Coordinate adjectives (you could put 'and' between them) take a comma.
• Step 2: 'bright' describes 'red', not the scarf; you would not say 'bright and red', so no comma.
• Step 3: So the answer is: She wore a bright red scarf.
• Answer: She wore a bright red scarf.
• 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. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • It was a cold dark, night. • It was a cold, dark night. (It was a cold dark, night. / It was a cold, dark night.) → It was a cold, dark night.Prompt: Is the clause essential to identify the noun, or just extra information?
2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • The book, that I lent you, is overdue. • The book that I lent you is overdue. (The book, that I lent you, is overdue. / The book that I lent you is overdue.) → The book that I lent you is overdue.Prompt: Is the clause essential to identify the noun, or just extra information?

• 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.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • Dogs, that bark all night, annoy the people next door. • Dogs that bark all night annoy the people next door. (Dogs, that bark all night, annoy the people next door. / Dogs that bark all night annoy the people next door.) → Dogs that bark all night annoy the people next door.Prompt: Is the clause essential to identify the noun, or just extra information?
2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • Students who finish early may read quietly. • Students, who finish early, may read quietly. (Students who finish early may read quietly. / Students, who finish early, may read quietly.) → Students who finish early may read quietly.Prompt: Is the clause essential to identify the noun, or just extra information?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-8.