Take a close look at both the definitions and uses of commas, colons, and semicolons. Commas set off clear parts of sentences, colons come before an explanation, and semicolons join two complete thoughts. Review these types of...

What techniques do writers use to create pacing in a narrative? Learners read David Matthews' essay "Pick One" and analyze its pacing. They answer text-dependent questions to demonstrate understanding and learn about subordination and...

Nine lessons makeup a unit designed to reinforce grammar and vocabulary through practice pages based on readings of African folktales. Each lesson consists of a mini lesson, a vocabulary review, and a worksheet. Topics include...

Find out what coordinating conjunctions are, and how to use them in a sentence with an excellent video. The resource provides detailed examples, a mnemonic device to remember the seven coordinating conjunctions, an interactive pop quiz,...

Clarify the different types of phrases and clauses that young writers can use to vary their sentence structure. A helpful slideshow presentation encourages your class to fix sentences by adding more interesting phrases and clauses,...

Clarify conjunctions with several reference pages and series of example paragraphs that show just how conjunctions can affect the meaning of a series of sentences.

What's one of the best ways to connect two sentences, phrases, and words? With conjunctions! Teach your class about coordinating and subordinating conjunctions and then invite them to practice their skills with this activity.

For, and, nor... Spend some time getting coordinating conjunctions just right with your class. Included here are three exercises to practice using these seven connecting words correctly; each learning exercise includes a fun image and...

It's hard to develop one's writing if one doesn't know how to define a simple and/or compound sentence. Review these terms with your class before giving them this practice opportunity. Answers are not included. 

How can you combine two independent phrases? You could use a comma and a coordinating conjunction, or you could use a semicolon. Read the short information box at the top of the page and complete the 13 questions that follow! Writers...

Have you ever graded a stack of essays that felt like a series of bland simple sentences? A helpful grammar presentation will help learners spice up their writing by varying their sentence style, making them stronger and more attentive...

Viewers are entertained as well as educated by the illustrations in this colorfully animated PowerPoint focused on run-on sentences.

Thoroughly review where to put commas: after an introductory clause, before a coordinating conjunction, around nonessential phrases, etc. Furthermore, avoid comma splices by adding a conjunction or semicolon or by starting a new sentence...

Set up your learners to become master sentence combiners with this sentence combining worksheet! There are 3 columns on this resource. Writers merge simple sentences from the first column and second column using the clue provided in the...

Thorough, engaging, and informative, this grammar lesson guides students through subordination, in which they use subordinating conjunctions to add adverb phrases to their simple sentences. The presentation clarifies the difference...

To demonstrate their understanding of the difference between subordinating and coordinating conjunctions, learners identify and label the conjunctions found in 10 sentences.

Are you teaching the comma rules in your classroom? This resource packet covers several comma rules, gives examples of each, and provides short practice opportunities for your learners. Answers are not included. 

Fun, bright, and informative, this grammar presentation might finally get your students to vary their sentence structure. The slideshow encourages students to "save words" by using coordinating conjunctions - specifically and, but, or -...

Whip your students' grammar skills into shape with this series of practice worksheets. Touching on all eight parts of speech, these exercises challenge learners to identify the relationships between different words and phrases in sample...

Find out just how much your pupils know about simple sentences, subjects and predicates, sentence fragments, coordinating and subordinating conjunctions, compound sentences, complex sentences, and more! This review page includes...

Here’s a quick review of compound sentences and how to create them. Your middle schoolers might not see the humor in the sample sentences, but older viewers certainly will.

Introduce your class to three ways of creating compound sentences. The exercises here have learners create more interesting, compound sentences by using a comma and coordinating conjunction, a semicolon, or a semicolon and a conjunctive...

What is a compound sentence? After reviewing the text box with your middle schoolers, have them complete the practice opportunity that follows. Consider having them scan the text for coordinating conjunctions before they add any...

What is the function of a conjunction? After playing the well-known song from Schoolhouse Rock, show your class this presentation. Coordinating, correlative, and subordinate conjunctions are clearly explained, and there is a short...