English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 60 minutes
Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and
Grammar
CCSS L.9-10.1.AEngland: SAT Standard English ConventionsEngland: ACT EnglishEngland: GCSE English Language (AO6)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and.
- 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: Correlative conjunctions and interjections; Parallel structure
Leads to: Logical comparisons: comparing like with like
Materials: Sentence strips, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Correlative conjunctions and interjections; Parallel structure). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Choose the word that completes the pair. ___ the teachers and the pupils enjoyed the show. (Both / Whether / Neither / Either) → BothPrompt: Correlative conjunctions come in pairs.
- Which word is the interjection? Hey, wait for me! (me / Hey / for / wait) → HeyPrompt: An interjection is a word that shows a sudden feeling.
- Choose the option that keeps the sentence parallel. Our coach told us to arrive early, to bring water and ___. (stretch was needed / stretching before running / to stretch before running / that we should stretch) → to stretch before runningPrompt: Look at the other items in the list or pair. What grammatical form are they?
Hook · 6 min
- Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
- Share the objective: Parallel structure with not only…but also, either…or, both…and. 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: Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also the dune grass was planted. • The volunteers cleaned not only the beach but also planted dune grass. • The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass. • Not only the volunteers cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass.
- Step 1: Correlative conjunctions must be followed by grammatically parallel elements.
- Step 2: Each correlative is followed by a verb phrase: cleaned… / planted…
- Step 3: So the answer is: The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass.
- Answer: The volunteers not only cleaned the beach but also planted dune grass.
- 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.
- Is this sentence correct? The plan was neither practical nor affordable. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
- Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The new app not only is cheaper but also faster. • The new app is not only cheaper but also faster. • The new app is not only cheaper, also faster. • The new app is not only cheaper but also it is faster. (The new app not only is cheaper but also faster. / The new app is not only cheaper but also faster. / The new app is not only cheaper, also faster. / The new app is not only cheaper but also it is faster.) → The new app is not only cheaper but also faster.Prompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
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.
- Which sentence uses parallel structure correctly? • The plan neither was practical nor affordable. • The plan was neither practical nor affordable. • The plan was neither practical nor could we afford it. • The plan was neither practical or affordable. (The plan neither was practical nor affordable. / The plan was neither practical nor affordable. / The plan was neither practical nor could we afford it. / The plan was neither practical or affordable.) → The plan was neither practical nor affordable.Prompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
- Is this sentence correct? We will meet either at the library or at the café. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Look at the word straight after each half of the pair (not only / but also, either / or, both / and).
Watch out for
- Naming the feature but not using it in their own sentences.
- Thinking a sentence is right because it sounds right when spoken casually.
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Correlative conjunctions and interjections.
- Use concrete materials: sentence strips.
- 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: Logical comparisons: comparing like with like.
- 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-9.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder