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English lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 45 minutes

Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (SAT)

Punctuation

CCSS L.11-12.2CCSS L.9-10.2.AEngland: SAT Standard English Conventions (Boundaries)England: ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (SAT).

  • 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: Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT); Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT)

Leads to: ACT-style editing: NO CHANGE or a better option?

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 (Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT); Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT)). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which punctuation mark belongs at [?] The researchers (based at a university in Chile [?] tracked the penguins for ten years. (, / — / ) / no punctuation) → )Prompt: Find where the extra information STARTS. What mark opened it?
  2. In which sentence does [?] need this mark: ,? (My cousin, who lives in Wellington [?] is visiting in December. / The researchers (based at a university in Chile [?] tracked the penguins for ten years. / The volcano's last eruption (in 1913 [?] destroyed three villages.) → My cousin, who lives in Wellington [?] is visiting in December.Prompt: Find where the extra information STARTS. What mark opened it?
  3. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The expedition faced one major obstacle___ a glacier that blocked the only pass. (; / : / . / , and) → :Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?

Hook · 5 min

  • Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
  • Share the objective: Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (SAT). 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: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The data were incomplete. ___ the scientists published a preliminary report.
  • Step 1: Conjunctive adverbs (however, therefore, nevertheless) can't join clauses with just commas: use a semicolon or full stop before them and a comma after.
  • Step 2: 'Still' starts a new sentence and is followed by a comma.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: Still,
  • Answer: Still,
  • 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. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The data were incomplete. Still, the scientists published a preliminary report. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?
  2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The museum, ___ is open until nine on Fridays. (however; / however, / however / ; however,) → however,Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?

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. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Prices rose sharply in March: as a result, sales fell. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?
  2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was old and ___ it was closed for repairs. (unsafe, therefore, / unsafe therefore / unsafe; therefore, / unsafe; therefore) → unsafe; therefore,Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on both sides of the transition word?

Watch out for

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

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT).
  • 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

  • Move on to: ACT-style editing: NO CHANGE or a better option?.
  • 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-11.

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

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Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (SAT)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The data were incomplete. Still, the scientists published a preliminary report.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  2. Question 2

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was old and ___ it was closed for repairs.

    • A. unsafe therefore
    • B. unsafe; therefore
    • C. unsafe, therefore,
    • D. unsafe; therefore,

  3. Question 3

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The team lost its first two matches nevertheless it won the championship.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  4. Question 4

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Bees are vital ___ many crops would fail without them.

    • A. pollinators indeed
    • B. pollinators; indeed
    • C. pollinators; indeed,
    • D. pollinators, indeed,

  5. Question 5

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The author had never visited Venice; even so her descriptions of the city are vivid.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  6. Question 6

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The data were incomplete. ___ the scientists published a preliminary report.

    • A. Still;
    • B. Still
    • C. Still,
    • D. Still:

  7. Question 7

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Some critics praised the film. Others, however, found it slow.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  8. Question 8

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The team lost its first two ___ it won the championship.

    • A. matches nevertheless
    • B. matches, nevertheless,
    • C. matches; nevertheless,
    • D. matches; nevertheless

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Answer key: Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (SAT)

  1. 1. A. correct

  2. 2. D. unsafe; therefore,

  3. 3. B. incorrect

  4. 4. C. pollinators; indeed,

  5. 5. B. incorrect

  6. 6. C. Still,

  7. 7. A. correct

  8. 8. C. matches; nevertheless,