• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Gerunds, participles and infinitives; Independent clause, dependent clause or phrase?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. What is the word in brackets doing in this sentence? Swimming is the sport I love most. (Swimming) (gerund / participle / infinitive) → gerundPrompt: Is it acting as a noun (a thing), an adjective (describing a noun), or is it 'to' + verb?
2. Is the group of words in brackets an independent clause, a dependent clause, or a phrase? [since everyone agreed] (independent clause / dependent clause / phrase (not a clause)) → dependent clausePrompt: Does it have a subject AND a verb? If not, it's a phrase.
3. Read the question and choose. Which part of this sentence is the independent clause? "Although the film was long, nobody left early." (long / Although the film was long / nobody left early / the film was) → nobody left earlyPrompt: Look for a subordinating word (when, because, although, if, until, who).

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: -ing words: gerund, participle or main verb?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: What is the word in capitals doing in this sentence? We enjoy CAMPING in the summer.
• Step 1: A gerund (-ing) works as a noun; a participle (-ing or -ed/-en) works as an adjective; with be, -ing forms part of the main verb.
• Step 2: 'Camping' is the object of 'enjoy'.
• Step 3: So the answer is: gerund (works as a noun)
• Answer: gerund (works as a noun)
• 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. What is the word in capitals doing in this sentence? SMILING broadly, Ana opened the door. (gerund (works as a noun) / participle (works as an adjective) / part of the main verb (is/was …ing)) → participle (works as an adjective)Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.
2. In which sentence is the word in capitals used like this: participle (works as an adjective)? (I can't stand his constant BARKING. / The dog was BARKING all night. / The BROKEN window let in the cold.) → The BROKEN window let in the cold.Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.

• 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. In which sentence is the word in capitals used like this: gerund (works as a noun)? (Thanks for HELPING me. / Feeling TIRED, Leo went to bed. / The children were LAUGHING at the clown.) → Thanks for HELPING me.Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.
2. What is the word in capitals doing in this sentence? The BROKEN window let in the cold. (gerund (works as a noun) / participle (works as an adjective) / part of the main verb (is/was …ing)) → participle (works as an adjective)Prompt: Is there a helping verb (is, was, were, are) right before it? Then it's part of the main verb.

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