Coordinating Conjunctions
Coordinating Conjunctions
GOAL OF LESSON: Writing a simple paragraph using coordinating conjunctions. VOCABULARY/GRAMMAR: Coordinating Conjunctions For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, So (F.A.N.B.O.Y.S.) INTRODUCTION: This lesson is based on a writing activity in which the students are asked to complete a paragraph using the target language (coordinating conjunctions). Since this is an intermediate class, the target language should be a review for most students, but the lesson will give an explanation of what coordinating conjunctions are so that students will understand how to use them correctly. Class Level Intermediate INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Play game Complete the Sentence. Toss ball of yarn around room when student catches ball, they must complete sentence with correct conjunction. Then, they toss the ball of yarn to the next student teacher calls out the next sentence. (Ball of yarn links everyone together, just like conjunctions do!) Explain common conjunctions as simple joiner words, and list the most common examples: "for," "and," "nor," "but," "or," "yet" and "so." (FANBOYS) Give an example of a sentence containing a common conjunction. (Example: "He seemed perfect for the job, but proved to be a disappointment.") Present a worksheet with multiple cloze sentences containing blanks where the coordinating conjunctions are supposed to be. Have students fill in these blanks, and then have the group discuss the answers. (See Controlled Practice Cloze Exercises) In small groups, play Jigsaw Puzzle Game group with most correct sentences wins. Explain coordinating conjunctions in context see attached Using Authentic Text to Teach Coordinating Conjunctions for more information. Watch video and have students listen to how actors misuse/use conjunctions: http://youtu.be/JWgbvr8T61o. Discuss as a group afterwards, and answer any questions. Give students a passage of writing, and ask them to complete the story using sentences with the conjunctions that they have just learned. (See Readings for Poster Presentation). After the activity, discuss with group what language worked best, and if there are any questions about lesson. Duration 2 hours
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Group: Date: Time: No. of Students: Intermediate Nov 29/2012 2 hours 20 Recent topic work: Students have learned Recent language work: coordinated conjunctions this is a review of n/a target language Aims: Functional: Learning to express ideas with joining words Grammatical: Coordinating Conjunctions Objectives: Students should be able to write a simple paragraph using coordinated conjunctions, and to understand how to use coordinated conjunctions correctly. To engage and motivate students to for further language learning experiences. To offer students as many examples of authentic language and STT. Assessment: Completion of tasks, understanding of new language, accurate use of coordinating conjunctions, feedback and discussion at end of class. Materials: ball of yarn, Jigsaw Puzzle Game, Youtube video clip, cloze worksheets (Black Azar 228-229 ex. 5 and pg. 230 ex. 7, Readings for Poster Presentation handout, Butterflies paragraph (Blue Azar pg. 462). Anticipated Problems: Video may not work in classroom environment. If this happens, send link and cloze exercise home with students so they can complete as homework. This may not be a review for some students if so, allow some time for extra study. Timing Teacher Activity Student Activity Success Indicators Aims of the stage 15 min. T explains the Ss listen to Ts Ss are able to ENGAGE objectives of the instructions and converse and Introduce task game Complete play out game. review target with realistic the Sentence. T language motivators calls outs (indicator of how sentences and much review is says blank where required) conjunctions should be, then tosses ball of yarn to S. When S catches ball, they must complete sentence with correct conjunction. Then, they toss the ball of yarn to the next S (keeping hold of end of yarn) T calls out the next sentence.
10 min.
T introduces structure by explaining common conjunctions as simple joiner words, giving FANBOY list T gives an example of a sentence using coordinating conjunction. Butterflies are beautiful and fragile. T answers Ss questions.
5 min.
Ss answer concept checking questions Ss are able to complete the exercise accurately. STUDY - Focus on fluency and accuracy. Authentic use. Exposure. Motivation.
15 min.
T gives Ss a controlled practice cloze exercise. (See Controlled Practice Cloze Exercises ) T answers Ss questions.
Ss answer concept checking questions Ss are able to complete the exercise accurately. ACTIVATE Acquisition. Authentic use. Motivation.
15 min.
T explains Jigsaw Puzzle Game Ss put sentences together using strips of paper (words, clauses, phrases, and coordinating conjunctions)
Ss listen to instructions in small groups, Ss put together as many correct sentences using target language. Group that gets most sentences correct wins.
15 min.
T asks Ss to read a paragraph called Butterflies (see Blue Azar pg. 462) and to find the coordinating conjunctions. (see attached Using Authentic Text to Teach Coordinating Conjunctions for more information) T answers Ss questions.
Ss listen to instructions in pairs, Ss read paragraph and find coordinating conjunctions in paragraph.
PRESENTATION GRAMMAR IN CONTEXT - Focus on accuracy in context. Authentic use. Exposure. Motivation.
5 min.
Ss answer concept checking questions Ss answer concept checking questions ENGAGE Reengage Ss. Acquisition. Focus on fluency and accuracy. Motivation. Clarification. Exposure to authentic use. Listening for specific information.
5 min.
T plays a Youtube Ss listen and ask video (see link in questions. References below) on target language (coordinating conjunctions) and asks students to watch how actors misuse/use coordinating conjunctions. T asks Ss to discuss the correct use of conjunctions in the video (T answers questions and acts as monitor). T answers Ss questions. In small groups, Ss discuss and come up with list of correct use of conjunctions from video. Ss report to class what they have found. Ss listen and ask questions.
10 min.
15 min.
T gives Ss a passage of writing (Free Willy Debate Before 2003), and asks them to complete the story using sentences with the target language that they have just learned. (See Readings for Poster Presentation).
Ss listen to instructions and complete the paragraph using the target language.
T answers Ss questions.
Ss ask T questions.
Ss answer concept checking questions New sentences are elicited from Ss. Ss are able to complete the exercise accurately.
T answers Ss questions.
Ss read their paragraphs for the group. Ss compare their paragraphs to the authentic report for any similarities and differences.
5 min.
T gives Ss the update to the Free Willy Debate so that Ss can compare their paragraphs to the report. T discusses with Ss what they have learned in lesson.
5 min.
Ss are able to report on what they have learned in the course of the lesson.
T answers Ss questions.
Ss ask T questions.
Additional possibilities: n/a Homework/Further work: Can sentences start with a conjunction? Have students research on corpus if sentences can start with a conjunction and have them bring their findings to the next class (we will incorporate findings into a corpus activity to formulate a rule). Taken from: Harmer, J. (2007). How to teach English. Essex, England: Pearson Longman.
An easy way to remember these six conjunctions is to think of the word FANBOYS. Each of the letters in this word is the first letter of one of the coordinating conjunctions. You use a coordinating conjunction ("and," "but," "or," "nor," "for," "so," or "yet") to join individual words, phrases, and independent clauses.
PRESENTATION - Using Authentic Text to Teach Coordinating Conjunctions (Intermediate) Butterflies A butterfly is a marvel. It begins as an ugly caterpillar and turns into a work of art. The sight of a butterfly floating from flower to flower on a warm, sunny day brightens anyones heart. A butterfly is a charming and gentle creature. Caterpillars eat plants and cause damage to some crops, but adult butterflies feed principally on nectar from flowers and do not cause any harm. When cold weather comes, butterflies travel great distances to reach tropical climates. They can be found on every continent except Antarctica. Because they are so colorful and beautiful, butterflies are admired throughout the world. (from Azar, B. Understanding and Using English Grammar, 4th Edition. 2009. p. 462). Step 1: Before handing out the text, the teacher tells the class the title of the paragraph and asks them to think and list some vocabulary that they might expect to find in the text. The students take turns writing these on the board. Step 2: The teacher asks students to read the paragraph individually. In pairs, students are asked to be aware of joining words, or the FANBOYS. She also asks students to be aware of what the FANBOYS are joining, as per previous Study section. Step 3: The teacher writes three lines on the board: 1. charming and gentle 2. eat plants and cause damage 3. Caterpillars eat plants and cause damage to some crops, but adult butterflies feed principally on nectar from flowers and do not cause any harm. The teacher asks the students what the difference between the three lines is. She allows them time to check the text if necessary for reference. She then elicits from the students a description of the difference in form between the three lines, identifying (1) as a conjunction connecting individual words, (2) connecting phrases, and (3) connecting clauses. Step 4: The teacher asks students to find other coordinating conjunctions, and to find what each of them connects (words phrases or clauses). Students are asked to write examples on the board. Step 5: Working in pairs, students are asked to reconstruct the paragraph from memory. They then compare their version with the original. Step 6: The teacher shows the students a picture of a child at a butterfly conservatory. Students are asked to write a short paragraph describing the picture and this is checked for appropriate use of coordinating conjunctions.
http://www.grouptravelplanner.net/suppliers/supplier-1455-magic-wings-butterflyconservatory-gardens/category-12-attractions/region-162-new-england/sub-140massachusetts/trail-139-western-massachusetts/
The whale that starred in the movie Free Willy is not free. Keiko still lives in a large fish tank, but he is healthier than when he was found in a Mexico City park. When he was found, Keiko was out of shape and sick. Many people wanted to help save him. He now lives in Oregon. The keepers of the whale want him to be healthy and happy. Keiko eats up to 200 pounds of fish a day. He also does a lot of activities. They want him to start thinking for himself. Keiko can do a lot of tricks, but they do not want people to watch him. The whale is trying to be stronger so he can one day live in the ocean. No one is sure if he could survive living in the sea. http://www.cdlponline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=activity1&topicID=11&storyID=47
References Azar, B. Fundamentals of English Grammar 3rd Ed. (2002). Connecting Ideas with And, But and Or p.228-229 & So vs But p.230. White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman. Azar B. Understanding and Using English Grammar 4th Ed. (2009). Butterflies. p.462. White Plains, NY: Pearson Longman. Coordinating Conjunctions (2012). Conjunctions. Retrieved from http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/conjunctions.htm Free Willy Debate - After 2003 (2011). Adult Learning Activities California Distance Learning Project. Retrieved from http://www.cdlponline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=activity1&topicID=11&storyID=47 Free Willy Debate - Before 2003 (2011). Adult Learning Activities California Distance Learning Project. Retrieved from http://www.cdlponline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=activity1&topicID=11&storyID=46 [Photo of Girl at Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens] (2012). Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory and Gardens. Retrieved from http://www.grouptravelplanner.net/suppliers/supplier-1455-magic-wings-butterflyconservatory-gardens/category-12-attractions/region-162-new-england/sub-140massachusetts/trail-139-western-massachusetts/. Starting a Sentence with a Conjunction (2012). What are Conjunctions? Retrieved from http://www.grammar-monster.com/lessons/conjunctions.htm Teaching the proper way to put commas in between coordinating conjunctions in a sentence. (2011). Commas with Coordinating Conjunctions Misused. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/JWgbvr8T61o. Thornbury, S. (1999). How to Teach Grammar Through Texts (p. 77-78). How to Teach Grammar. Harlow, England: Pearson Education Ltd.