This Real Grammar resources pack provides everything that you need to successfully explore co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions with pupils in Year 2 or to revisit this learning. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included to create a complete KS1 resource to teach pupils about the conjunctions introduced in Key Stage 1.
A range of separate resource packs on co-ordinating and subordinating conjunctions is available to teach these separately when first being introduced. This resource could be used following these resources to revisit the use of conjunctions when writing.
What is a co-ordinating conjunction?
A co-ordinating conjunction joins clauses, and other phrases or words that are of the same importance in a sentence. In Year 2, pupils are introduced to the co-ordinating conjunctions ‘and’, ‘but’ and ‘or’. Other co-ordinating conjunctions are introduced in Year 3.
How do we use co-ordinating conjunctions?
The conjunction ‘and’ is used to join sentences. It makes the two sentences into one longer sentence.
- Jim can jump. Sal can skip.
- Jim can jump and Sal can skip.
The conjunction ‘but’ is used to join sentences that show contrast.
- It was sunny. It was cold.
- It was sunny but cold.
The conjunction ‘or’ is used to join sentences that show different possibilities.
- Max doesn’t like tea. He doesn’t like coffee.
- Max doesn’t like tea or coffee.
What is a subordinating conjunction?
A subordinating conjunction introduces a subordinate clause to add information to a sentence (the term ‘subordinate clause’ is introduced in Year 3). In Year 2, pupils are introduced to the subordinating conjunctions ‘because’, ‘if’, ‘when’ and ‘that’. Other subordinating conjunctions are introduced in Year 3.
How do we use subordinating conjunctions?
The subordinating conjunction because is used to add information to a sentence to give an explanation.
- We took an umbrella because it looked like it might rain.
The subordinating conjunction if is used to add information to a sentence to show a possibility.
- I will cook dinner if I don’t have to wash up too!
The subordinating conjunction when is used to add information to a sentence to indicate a time.
- I loved riding a horse when I was young.
The subordinating conjunction that is used to add information to a sentence to show a reason, cause or intention.
- Dad was so tired that he could not think clearly.
What is included in this resource pack?
This pack is divided into five parts:
TEACH
This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce subordinating and co-ordinating conjunctions. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.
PRACTISE
An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.
REVISIT
A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.
APPLY
A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.
REVISE
Five SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.
Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks
Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.
How is this resource pack differentiated?
The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:
- Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
- Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
- Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.
SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.
What pupil-facing resources are included?
- TEACH
PPT slides; model text ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’; conjunctions word mat
- PRACTISE
Practise 1, Practise 2 and Practise 3 worksheets
- REVISIT
Game 1 and game 2
Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.