UNDERSTANDING
SENTENCE STRUCTURE
LESSON OBJECTIVES (2 MIN)
🎯 By the end of this lesson you will:
Correctly combine sentences with commas and conjunctions.
Identify simple, compound and compound- complex sentences.
Discover the function of coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) by experimenting.
Understand the components of simple, compound, complex and compound- complex
sentences
Recognize and differentiate between simple, compound, complex, and compound-
complex sentences
BRAIN TEASER; WARM-UP (4 MIN)
🧠 I connect ideas without being seen. I can join friends or
show contrast. Without me, thoughts may fall apart. What am
I?
•Instruction: Discuss with your partner for 2 minutes and
guess.
DISCOVERY CONNECTION: WHAT IS A SENTENCE? (3 MIN)
Comparing a sentence to a real-world object.
💭 Quick Discussion:
• What makes a sentence complete?
• How is it like a bicycle or a bridge?
A Sentence is Like a Bicycle 🚲
• Two main parts: Just like a bike has a frame and wheels, a sentence has a subject (who/what it’s about) and
a predicate (what happens).
• Balance is key: If a bike isn’t balanced, it falls. If a sentence is missing a subject or predicate, it’s
incomplete.
• Takes you somewhere: A bicycle moves you from one place to another; a sentence moves the reader from
one idea to another.
A Sentence is Like a Bridge 🌉
• Connects ideas: A bridge connects two places; a sentence connects ideas or thoughts.
• Strong structure needed: A weak bridge collapses; a poorly constructed sentence is confusing or unclear.
• Supports movement: Just like people cross a bridge safely, a sentence lets readers move smoothly through
your writing.
WHAT MAKES A SENTENCE?
Begins with a capital letter
Ends with punctuation (period, question mark, exclamation point)
Contains a subject—who or what the sentence is about
Contains a predicate—what the subject does or is
SENTENCE BUILDING (10 MIN)
Instructions:
[Link] in pairs.
2. Combine the two simple sentences using a coordinating conjunction and a
subordinating conjunction
Discuss:
• How does the meaning change?
• What does the conjunctions add or show? (contrast or cause-effect)
PAIRS OF SIMPLE SENTENCES
1. The sun was shining. The birds were singing.
2. I finished my homework. I went outside to play.
3. The cat slept on the sofa. The dog barked loudly.
4. She loves ice cream. He prefers cake.
5. We went to the market. We bought fresh vegetables.
6. The phone rang. Nobody answered it.
7. I read a book. I drank a cup of tea.
8. The rain fell softly. The children ran inside.
9. He studied all night. He still failed the test.
10. The movie ended. Everyone clapped.
11. I want to go swimming. I have too much homework.
12. The car stopped suddenly. The driver honked.
13. She opened the window. A bird flew in.
14. We walked to school. It started to rain.
15. The cake looked delicious. No one ate it.
16. I forgot my keys. I couldn’t enter the house.
17. The wind blew strongly. The tree branches bent.
18. He is very kind. He can be strict sometimes.
19. I called my friend. She didn’t answer.
20. The baby laughed. The dog barked.
21. I wrote a poem. I showed it to my teacher.
22. The train arrived late. The passengers were impatient.
23. I bought a new notebook. I lost my old pen.
24. The stars twinkled. The moon shone brightly.
25. He cooked dinner. He forgot to buy ingredients.
26. I practiced the piano. I played the guitar.
27. The team scored a goal. The fans cheered loudly.
28. She painted a picture. He wrote a story.
29. I opened the door. The cat ran out.
30. The teacher explained the lesson. The students asked questions.
BRAIN BREAK (2 MIN)
🧩 The more you take from me, the bigger I get. What am I?
• Quick pair discussion, then reveal answer.
SENTENCE CREATION CHALLENGE (7 MIN)
Instructions:
1. Write two simple sentences of your own.
2. Swap with a partner.
3. Use a coordinating or subordinating conjunction to create a compound,
complex and compound-complex sentences.
4. Share with the class
WRAP-UP AND REFLECTION (3 MIN)
Exit Ticket:
• Write one compound sentence (coordinating conjunction), one
complex sentence (subordinating conjunction) and a compound-complex sentence
• Label which conjunction you used and explain why.
Key Takeaways:
1. Coordinating conjunctions (FANBOYS) → connect equal ideas.
2. Subordinating conjunctions → connect main + subordinate ideas.
3. Conjunctions are bridge words that show the relationship between
ideas.