• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases; Combining sentences). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which is the best way to join these sentences? We stayed inside. It was raining. • Because we stayed inside it was raining. • We stayed inside but it was raining. • We stayed inside, it was raining. • We stayed inside because it was raining. (Because we stayed inside it was raining. / We stayed inside but it was raining. / We stayed inside, it was raining. / We stayed inside because it was raining.) → We stayed inside because it was raining.Prompt: How are the two ideas linked: adding, contrasting, giving a reason, or a result?
2. The Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth. It produces a huge amount of oxygen. Which choice combines the sentences most effectively using an appositive? (The Amazon, the largest rainforest on Earth, produces a huge amount of oxygen. / The Amazon the largest rainforest on Earth produces a huge amount of oxygen. / The Amazon is the largest rainforest on Earth, it produces a huge amount of oxygen. / The largest rainforest on Earth produces, the Amazon, a huge amount of oxygen.) → The Amazon, the largest rainforest on Earth, produces a huge amount of oxygen.Prompt: Turn one sentence into a phrase that describes a noun in the other.
3. What has the writer used to combine ideas in this sentence? The robot, a prototype built by students, won first prize. (an appositive / a participle phrase) → an appositivePrompt: Does the added phrase start with a noun group (a…, the…) or with a verb form (-ing, -ed, -en)?

• Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
• Share the objective: Using subordination to show how ideas relate. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast?
• Step 1: Subordination makes one idea depend on another, showing exactly how they relate and which matters most.
• Step 2: 'Whereas' sets up a direct contrast.
• Step 3: So the answer is: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• Answer: Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.
• 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. The museum is free. Few local people visit it. Which choice best shows the surprising relationship? (Even though the museum is free, few local people visit it. / The museum is free, so few local people visit it. / The museum is free and few local people visit it so. / Because the museum is free, few local people visit it.) → Even though the museum is free, few local people visit it.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. We left early ___ we could get good seats. (although / whereas / so that / unless) → so thatPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

• 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. Some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year. Which choice best emphasises the contrast? (Most trees grow a few centimetres a year, and bamboo also grows. / Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. / Most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, so some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day. / Because most trees grow slowly, bamboo grows fast.) → Whereas most trees grow only a few centimetres a year, some species of bamboo can grow almost a metre a day.Prompt: Decide the relationship: contrast, cause, result, condition, or extra detail.
2. Choose the subordinating conjunction that makes the relationship logical. You won't improve ___ you practise regularly. (because / although / unless / whereas) → unlessPrompt: Is the relationship contrast, cause, purpose, condition, comparison or time?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-9.