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English lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 60 minutes

After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT)

Grammar

CCSS L.11-12.1CCSS L.7.1.CEngland: SAT Standard English Conventions (Form, Structure, and Sense)England: ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (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: Fixing dangling participle phrases; Modifier placement in complex sentences

Leads to: the next skill in this area.

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 (Fixing dangling participle phrases; Modifier placement in complex sentences). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is the opening phrase correctly attached, or is it a dangling modifier? Having finished the test, the room was silent. (correct / dangling modifier) → dangling modifierPrompt: Ask: who or what is doing the action in the opening phrase?
  2. This sentence has a dangling modifier. Which choice fixes it? Hungry and cold, the hut was a welcome sight. • Hungry and cold the hut was welcome. • Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut. • The hut, hungry and cold, was a welcome sight. • Hungry and cold, the hut looked welcoming. (Hungry and cold the hut was welcome. / Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut. / The hut, hungry and cold, was a welcome sight. / Hungry and cold, the hut looked welcoming.) → Hungry and cold, the hikers were glad to see the hut.Prompt: Who is really doing the action in the opening phrase?
  3. Having studied the river for a decade, ___ Which choice completes the sentence correctly? (the salmon were seen returning by the biologist. / the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning. / the return of the salmon was noticed. / it became clear that the salmon were returning.) → the biologist noticed that the salmon were returning.Prompt: Who or what does the opening phrase describe?

Hook · 6 min

  • Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
  • Share the objective: After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT). 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 choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Like her earlier paintings, ___ • Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. • Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain. • identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. • Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work.
  • Step 1: An introductory modifier must be followed directly by the noun it describes; otherwise it dangles.
  • Step 2: Paintings must be compared with work, not with the artist.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.
  • Answer: Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.
  • 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. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Unlike most birds, swimming is how penguins move. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?
  2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? A pioneer of computer science, ___ • it was Ada Lovelace who wrote the program. • Ada Lovelace's notes included the first published program. • the first published computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. • Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program. (it was Ada Lovelace who wrote the program. / Ada Lovelace's notes included the first published program. / the first published computer program was written by Ada Lovelace. / Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program.) → Ada Lovelace wrote what is often called the first published computer program.Prompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?

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. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Like her earlier paintings, ___ • Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. • identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. • Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work. • Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain. (Frida Kahlo, in her new work, explores identity. / identity and pain are explored by Frida Kahlo. / Frida Kahlo explores identity and pain in her new work. / Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.) → Frida Kahlo's new work explores identity and pain.Prompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?
  2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Discovered in 2014, scientists found that the dinosaur had feathers. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Who or what is described by the opening phrase?

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: Fixing dangling participle phrases.
  • 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

  • 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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After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Unlike most birds, flying is impossible for penguins.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  2. Question 2

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Built to withstand earthquakes, ___ • the tower sways gently instead of cracking. • engineers designed the tower to sway gently. • swaying gently prevents the tower from cracking. • the designers made sure that the tower sways.

    • A. the tower sways gently instead of cracking.
    • B. engineers designed the tower to sway gently.
    • C. swaying gently prevents the tower from cracking.
    • D. the designers made sure that the tower sways.

  3. Question 3

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1977, several acclaimed books have been written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  4. Question 4

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Unlike most birds, ___ • the penguin's wings are used for swimming. • flying is impossible for penguins. • penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers. • swimming is how penguins move.

    • A. the penguin's wings are used for swimming.
    • B. flying is impossible for penguins.
    • C. penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers.
    • D. swimming is how penguins move.

  5. Question 5

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Discovered in 2014, the fossil revealed that the dinosaur had feathers.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  6. Question 6

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1977, ___ • Enugu is where Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born. • the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written several acclaimed books. • acclaim came to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her books. • several acclaimed books have been written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

    • A. Enugu is where Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie was born.
    • B. the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written several acclaimed books.
    • C. acclaim came to Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie for her books.
    • D. several acclaimed books have been written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

  7. Question 7

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Unlike most birds, penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  8. Question 8

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Having analysed samples from forty lakes, ___ • the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. • it was concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff. • the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff. • farm runoff was identified as the source.

    • A. the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.
    • B. it was concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.
    • C. the conclusion was that the pollution came from farm runoff.
    • D. farm runoff was identified as the source.

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Answer key: After an opening modifier, choose the right subject (SAT)

  1. 1. B. incorrect

  2. 2. A. the tower sways gently instead of cracking.

  3. 3. B. incorrect

  4. 4. C. penguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers.

  5. 5. A. correct

  6. 6. B. the novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has written several acclaimed books.

  7. 7. A. correct

  8. 8. A. the researchers concluded that the pollution came from farm runoff.