• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Subordinating conjunctions: when, if, because, although, until; Simple or compound sentence?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Choose the conjunction that makes the best sense. Wait here ___ the bell rings. (so / because / until / although) → untilPrompt: How are the two ideas linked? Time, reason, condition or contrast?
2. Is this a simple sentence or a compound sentence? The wind howled and the rain lashed the windows. (simple sentence / compound sentence) → compound sentencePrompt: Count the subject–verb pairs. Each pair that could stand alone is a clause.
3. Which word is the subordinating conjunction? I will call you when I get home. (you / when / call / home) → whenPrompt: Find the word that joins two parts of the sentence.

• Show a sentence with the grammar point used wrongly and ask what sounds odd.
• Share the objective: Main clause or subordinate clause?. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which part is the SUBORDINATE clause? We stayed indoors because it was cold.
• Step 1: A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause adds information and depends on the main clause.
• Step 2: So the answer is: because it was cold
• Answer: because it was cold
• 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. Which part is the SUBORDINATE clause? Since it was late, we took a taxi. (Since it was late / late, we / we took a taxi) → Since it was latePrompt: A subordinate clause starts with a word like although, because, when, if, until, since, before, as or unless.
2. Which part is the MAIN clause? Since it was late, we took a taxi. (we took a taxi / late, we / Since it was late) → we took a taxiPrompt: Cover each part. Which one could be a sentence by itself?

• 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. Which part is the SUBORDINATE clause? I will wait here until you come back. (I will wait here / until you come back / wait here until) → until you come backPrompt: A subordinate clause starts with a word like although, because, when, if, until, since, before, as or unless.
2. Which part is the MAIN clause? Mia smiled as she opened the present. (as she opened the present / Mia smiled / the present) → Mia smiledPrompt: Cover each part. Which one could be a sentence by itself?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.