• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT); Apostrophes for possession). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which shows possession correctly? the toys belonging to the children (the children toy's / the childrens' toys / the children's toys / the childrens toys) → the children's toysPrompt: Who is the owner? One owner or more than one?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The town's oldest building — a stone ___ dates from the 1300s. (chapel — / chapel / chapel; / chapel,) → chapel —Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?
3. Choose the correct word. Read the clue in brackets. The library has lots of ___ for children. (more than one book, no owner) (books / book's / books') → booksPrompt: Does the word show ownership, a contraction, or just a plural?

• Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
• Share the objective: Possessives, plurals and non-essential elements (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ decision to lower ticket prices doubled attendance.
• Step 1: Use 's for singular possessives, s' for plural possessives ending in s, and no apostrophe for plain plurals. Essential (restrictive) names take no commas.
• Step 2: One owner possesses the noun that follows: 's.
• Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The museum's decision to lower ticket prices doubled attendance."
• Step 4: So the answer is: museum's
• Answer: museum's
• 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 choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ findings were published in a leading journal last spring. (researchers' / researchers's / researcher's / researchers) → researchers'Prompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Each of the ___ wings is covered in tiny scales that reflect light. (butterflys' / butterflies / butterfly's / butterflies's) → butterfly'sPrompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?

• 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 choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The ___ annual migration covers more than 3,000 kilometres. (herd's / herd / herds' / herds) → herd'sPrompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?
2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Marine biologist ___ has spent two decades studying coral reefs. (Ana Ruiz / , Ana Ruiz, / Ana Ruiz, / , Ana Ruiz) → Ana RuizPrompt: Does the word show possession, or is it simply plural?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.