Conjunctions

Lesson Goal

Students will know that conjunctions connect words or groups of words, will choose and, but or or by the relationship each shows, and will recognize correlative conjunctions, the ones that come in pairs.

Key Concepts

Coordinating conjunctions join things that are equal in importance and do the same job in the sentence. And adds a similar idea, but shows a contrast, and or offers a choice.

Correlative conjunctions come in pairs, both and, either or, neither nor, whether or, and they make a firmer connection than one conjunction on its own.

Where Students Get Stuck

Using and for everything. Ask what the relationship actually is: are these two ideas adding up, pulling against each other, or offering a choice? The answer picks the word.

Spotting only half of a correlative pair. Neither without nor, or either without or, is the tell that the student found one word of two.

Teaching Suggestion

Say one order three ways: soup and salad, soup or salad, soup but no salad. Ask what the cook puts on the tray each time. The student hears the meaning change before he has to name the rule.

Key Vocabulary

Conjunction

A word that connects other words or groups of words.

Coordinating conjunction

And, but or or, joining things that are equal in importance and do the same job.

Correlative conjunctions

Conjunctions that work in pairs, like both and, either or, neither nor.