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English lesson plan · 6th grade (Year 7 in England) · 60 minutes

Combining sentences with conjunctions

Writing & Editing

CCSS L.6.3.ACCSS W.6.2.CEngland: KS3 Writing (sentence variety)England: GCSE English Language (AO6 sentence structures)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Combining sentences with conjunctions.

  • 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: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating

Leads to: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases

Materials: A model text, Planning frame, Checklists for editing, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 6 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. I will lend you my bike ___ you look after it. (but / although / until / if) → ifPrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?
  2. Which word or phrase is the subordinating conjunction? Although it was late, we kept playing. (Although / late / kept / playing) → AlthoughPrompt: A subordinating conjunction starts a clause that cannot stand on its own.
  3. Choose the conjunction that makes the most sense. We waited at the bus stop ___ the bus finally came. (because / or / unless / until) → untilPrompt: Read the two parts of the sentence. How are they linked?

Hook · 6 min

  • Show two openings to the same piece of writing and ask which makes them want to read on.
  • Share the objective: Combining sentences with conjunctions. Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 12 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?
  • Step 1: Choose the conjunction that shows the real relationship between the ideas.
  • Step 2: The result is unexpected, so a contrast word ('but') fits.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
  • Answer: I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 12 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. I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (Because I studied hard, I didn't pass the test. / I studied hard, so I didn't pass the test. / I studied hard, and so I didn't pass the test. / I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.) → I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?
  2. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. Wait here ___ I find the keys. (show time) (because / or / until / although) → untilPrompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?

You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. It started to rain. ___ we kept walking. (show contrast) (Similarly, / For example, / Even so, / Therefore,) → Even so,Prompt: Read the instruction in brackets: contrast, result, cause, condition, time or addition?
  2. Maya was tired. She kept practising the piano. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly? (Because Maya was tired, she kept practising the piano. / Although Maya was tired, she kept practising the piano. / Maya was tired, or she kept practising the piano. / Maya was tired, so she kept practising the piano.) → Although Maya was tired, she kept practising the piano.Prompt: What is the relationship between the two ideas: addition, contrast, cause, condition, choice or time?

Watch out for

  • Writing everything at once without planning.
  • Editing only spelling and not whether the writing makes sense.

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Conjunctions: coordinating and subordinating.
  • Use concrete materials: a model text.
  • 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: Transitions: matching the word to the relationship; Combining sentences with appositives and participle phrases.
  • 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-6.

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

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Combining sentences with conjunctions

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. Wait here ___ I find the keys. (show time)

    • A. until
    • B. although
    • C. or
    • D. because

  2. Question 2

    The museum was free. We stayed all afternoon. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. The museum was free, or we stayed all afternoon.
    • B. The museum was free, but we stayed all afternoon.
    • C. The museum was free although we stayed all afternoon.
    • D. The museum was free, so we stayed all afternoon.

  3. Question 3

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. It started to rain. ___ we kept walking. (show contrast)

    • A. Therefore,
    • B. For example,
    • C. Even so,
    • D. Similarly,

  4. Question 4

    I studied hard. I didn't pass the test. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.
    • B. Because I studied hard, I didn't pass the test.
    • C. I studied hard, so I didn't pass the test.
    • D. I studied hard, and so I didn't pass the test.

  5. Question 5

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. You can join the team ___ you come to practice. (show condition)

    • A. so
    • B. but
    • C. although
    • D. if

  6. Question 6

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. She wanted to go swimming, ___ the pool was closed. (show contrast)

    • A. and
    • B. so
    • C. but
    • D. because

  7. Question 7

    The film ended. Everyone clapped. Which choice combines the sentences most clearly?

    • A. Although the film ended, everyone clapped.
    • B. Unless the film ended, everyone clapped.
    • C. The film ended, or everyone clapped.
    • D. When the film ended, everyone clapped.

  8. Question 8

    Choose the word that joins the ideas as described in brackets. We missed the bus, ___ we were late for school. (show result)

    • A. yet
    • B. or
    • C. but
    • D. so

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Answer key: Combining sentences with conjunctions

  1. 1. A. until

  2. 2. D. The museum was free, so we stayed all afternoon.

  3. 3. C. Even so,

  4. 4. A. I studied hard, but I didn't pass the test.

  5. 5. D. if

  6. 6. C. but

  7. 7. D. When the film ended, everyone clapped.

  8. 8. D. so