Day 8: Conjunctions

30-Minute Teacher-Led Lesson Plan | Low B2 (Upper-Intermediate) Level

Lesson Details

  • Duration: 30 minutes

  • Grammar Focus: Coordinating (and, but, or, so); Subordinating (because, although, while, if) conjunctions

  • Themes: Personal beliefs, society, environment, food, friends/family (varied for engagement)

  • Materials: Whiteboard/markers, handouts (optional worksheet below), student notebooks

  • Objectives: Students can join ideas using conjunctions for complex, logical sentences

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Goal: Show how conjunctions build better sentences

Teacher Script & Steps:

  1. Hook (2 min): Ask: “Why exercise? Is recycling good although it's hard?” (Elicit: because..., although....)

  2. Overview (2 min): “Today we use conjunctions to connect ideas — simple (and/but) and complex (because/if).”

  3. Demo (1 min): Board: “I like coffee. I drink tea.” → “I like coffee, but I drink tea.”

2. Instruction (15 minutes)

A. Coordinating Conjunctions (8 minutes)

Key Point: Join equal ideas (FANBOYS: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so). Use comma before.

Board Table:

Conjunction

Use

Example (Food/Friends Theme)

And

Add

I cook and she cleans.

But

Contrast

It's healthy but expensive.

Or

Choice

Tea or coffee?

So

Result

It rained, so we stayed home.

Steps:

  • Model: “He wanted pizza, but we chose salad.” (Food theme.)

  • Quick Pair Check: Join “I exercise / I eat cake” → and/but/so.

B. Subordinating Conjunctions (7 minutes)

Key Point: Join main + dependent clause (shows reason, time, condition).

Board Table:

Conjunction

Use

Example (Environment/Society Theme)

Because

Reason

We recycle because it's important.

Although

Contrast

Although it's hard, we try.

While

Time/contrast

While I cook, she reads.

If

Condition

Call if you're late.

Steps:

  • Model: “I help, it costs time.” → “I help although it costs time.” (Personal beliefs theme.)

  • Elicit: “Exercise, feel better” → because/so.

3. Practice (10 minutes)

Goal: Combine sentences with correct conjunctions

Activity 1: Join Sentences (Pairs, 4 min — Personal Beliefs/Health Themes)
Board these; students connect:

  1. “I recycle. It helps the planet.” → I recycle because/so it helps...

  2. “Exercise is good. I prefer sleep.” → ...but/and...
    Share 1 aloud per pair.

Activity 2: Idea Chain (Individuals/Pairs, 5 min — Personal Choice Theme)

  • Write 4-5 sentences about hobbies, money, or travel using 2 coordinating + 2 subordinating (e.g., “I save money because I want to travel, although flights are expensive.”).

  • Swap & underline conjunctions; peer feedback.

Wrap-Up (1 min): “Most useful conjunction?” Homework: Opinion paragraph on environment (5 conjunctions).

Optional Worksheet (Print as Handout)

Student Copy — Conjunctions Practice

  1. Join: “It's raining. I'll take an umbrella.” → __________________

  2. Choose: I study ___ (although/because) I want better grades.

  3. Write: 3 sentences on sports or technology using while/if/or.

Answer Key (Teacher Only):

  1. ...so I'll take... / ...because...

  2. because

Notes for Teacher: Stress comma rules (before coordinating; after subordinating if first). Builds on prior lessons (tenses/prepositions). Read aloud for rhythm.