### Lesson Plan: Grammar and Syntax - Complex Sentences
**Grade Level:** 8
**Subject:** Language Arts
**Topic:** Grammar and Syntax - Complex Sentences
**Duration:** 50 minutes
#### Objectives
- Students will understand the structure and function of complex sentences.
- Students will be able to identify dependent and independent clauses.
- Students will practice writing their own complex sentences.
#### Materials
- Whiteboard and markers or a smartboard
- Handouts with examples of complex sentences
- Sentence strips or index cards
- Copies of a short reading passage for analysis
- Notebooks and pens/pencils
#### Common Core Standards
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.1.B: Form and use verbs in the active and passive voice and in the conditional and subjunctive mood.
- CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.8.6: Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases; gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
#### Introduction (10 minutes)
1. **Greeting & Objective Review:** Start by welcoming the students and briefly reviewing the day’s objectives.
2. **Warm-Up Activity:** Write a simple sentence on the board and ask students to expand it by adding additional information. For example, start with "I went to the store." Ask for additions like "while it was raining" or "because I needed milk."
3. **Discussion:** Briefly discuss what makes a sentence complex and introduce the terms "independent clause" and "dependent clause."
#### Direct Instruction (15 minutes)
1. **Define Clauses:** Provide a clear definition of independent and dependent clauses and write examples on the board.
- **Independent Clause:** Can stand alone as a sentence. Example: "The sun set."
- **Dependent Clause:** Cannot stand alone as a sentence, starts with a subordinating conjunction. Example: "Although the sun set..."
2. **Complex Sentences:** Explain how combining these clauses creates complex sentences. Write and dissect examples on the board.
- Example: "Although the sun set, the sky remained bright."
#### Guided Practice (10 minutes)
1. **Handout Activity:** Distribute handouts with sentences and ask students to identify the independent and dependent clauses.
2. **Group Work:** Have students work in pairs to combine simple sentences (given in handouts) into complex sentences. Monitor and assist as needed.
#### Independent Practice (10 minutes)
1. **Writing Exercise:** Ask students to write three complex sentences of their own incorporating clauses that they've discussed. Encourage creativity and make sure they use different subordinating conjunctions like 'although,' 'because,' 'when,' 'if,' etc.
2. **Peer Review:** Have students exchange notebooks with a partner for peer review, checking if both clauses are correctly identified and the sentence makes sense.
#### Closing (5 minutes)
1. **Review:** Quickly review a few of the sentences created by students, highlighting good examples and offering gentle corrections where necessary.
2. **Q&A:** Allow time for any final questions or clarifications.
#### Assessment
- **Formative:** Observe student participation during group work and guided practice.
- **Summative:** Collect students' notebooks with their written complex sentences for a quick evaluation of understanding.
#### Homework
- **Sentence Expansion:** Provide a list of simple sentences and ask students to expand each into a complex sentence for homework. Example: "She opened the door." (Sample expansion: "She opened the door because she heard a strange noise.")
#### Reflection
- After class, reflect on what went well and what could be improved for future lessons. Take note of any common errors or misconceptions to address in subsequent lessons.
By the end of this lesson, students should have a solid understanding of complex sentences and be confident in creating their own.