Lesson Plan and Worksheet: Modifiers (Misplaced and Dangling)
Lesson Plan
Objective:
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to:
1. Identify and correct misplaced modifiers.
2. Identify and correct dangling modifiers.
3. Incorporate modifiers effectively into their own writing.
Materials:
- Worksheet on modifiers (attached).
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Lesson Breakdown
1. Warm-Up (5 minutes):
Discuss the importance of clarity in writing and how modifiers can enhance or confuse
meaning. Provide a simple example:
- Misplaced Modifier: The man walked his dog in a suit.
- Corrected: The man in a suit walked his dog.
Ask the student: Why does the placement of "in a suit" change the meaning?
2. Explanation and Examples (10 minutes):
- Misplaced Modifiers: Define and explain how modifiers must be placed as close as possible
to the word they modify.
- Example: She almost drove her kids to school every day.
- Problem: "Almost" incorrectly modifies "drove" instead of "every day."
- Corrected: She drove her kids to school almost every day.
- Dangling Modifiers: Define and explain how a modifier must have a clear subject to
describe.
- Example: Walking to the store, the rain started pouring.
- Problem: Who is walking? The rain?
- Corrected: Walking to the store, I noticed the rain started pouring.
Provide multiple examples of both misplaced and dangling modifiers.
3. Guided Practice (15 minutes):
Go through sample sentences from the worksheet together. Ask the student to:
1. Identify whether the modifier is misplaced or dangling.
2. Correct the sentence.
Examples:
1. Misplaced: The boy saw a dog riding his bike.
2. Dangling: After reading the book, the movie was disappointing.
4. Independent Practice (10 minutes):
Ask the student to complete the worksheet independently. Encourage them to explain their
corrections aloud as they go.
5. Writing Application (5 minutes):
Prompt: Write three sentences using modifiers effectively. Then, rewrite one sentence
intentionally introducing a misplaced or dangling modifier. Correct it.
Worksheet on Modifiers
Part 1: Identify Misplaced Modifiers (10 Questions)
Instructions: Rewrite the sentences to place the modifier correctly.
1. The teacher gave homework to the students that was very difficult.
2. I found a pair of sunglasses walking to the park.
3. The boy ate a sandwich sitting on the bench.
4. She bought a car from a dealer with leather seats.
5. We saw a painting walking through the gallery.
6. Covered in snow, the hikers struggled to find their way back.
7. He almost drove his friends to the airport every weekend.
8. The cat chased the mouse under the couch with great enthusiasm.
9. The chef served soup to the guests in a large bowl.
10. The librarian handed a book to the student with a smile.
Part 2: Identify Dangling Modifiers (8 Questions)
Instructions: Rewrite the sentences to fix the dangling modifier.
1. While driving to work, the traffic jam was frustrating.
2. To finish on time, the project needed more attention.
3. Running through the forest, the tree branches scratched her face.
4. After studying all night, the test seemed easier than expected.
5. Walking into the room, the delicious smell of cookies greeted me.
6. Forgotten in the car, she finally found her keys.
7. Watching the sunset, the sky turned orange and pink.
8. While waiting for the bus, the rain soaked his clothes.
Part 3: Correcting Mixed Errors (8 Questions)
The following sentences contain misplaced or dangling modifiers. Identify and fix them.
1. Swimming in the ocean, a dolphin was spotted by the diver.
2. The woman served soup to her guests in a large bowl.
3. Covered in chocolate, the child ate the cake.
4. Reading the letter, tears came to her eyes.
5. While talking on the phone, the doorbell rang.
6. Walking along the beach, the sand felt warm under my feet.
7. Hiding under the table, the child’s mother couldn’t find him.
8. Forgotten for weeks, she finally discovered the letter.
Part 4: Writing with Modifiers (Advanced)
Instructions:
1. Write three sentences using modifiers correctly.
2. Write a sentence with a misplaced modifier, then rewrite it correctly.
3. Write a sentence with a dangling modifier, then rewrite it correctly.
Challenge (Optional)
Write a short paragraph (5-6 sentences) describing an event using at least three modifiers.
Ensure all modifiers are correctly placed. Then, rewrite the paragraph introducing at least
two misplaced or dangling modifiers and correct them.
