volume
TWO middle school
volume
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
lesson
ONE
Page CONTENT
3 Digital Links
4 Weekly Lesson Plan for Dependent and Independent
Clauses
7 Mentor Sentence Worksheets and Sentence Strips
9 Mentor Sentence Answer Keys
10 Dependent and Independent Clauses Quick Notes
14 Dependent and Independent Clauses Interactive
Notebook Lessons
15 Dependent and Independent Clauses Interactive
Notebook Lesson Teacher Examples
21 Friday Assessment and Answer Keys
23 Snag a FREE Writing Reference Booklet
WEEK ONE AT-A-GLANCE
Week CCSS MENTOR TEXT Grammar Concepts grammar concepts
STANDARDS explicitly taught assessed on Friday
NEW:
1 7.1a • Prisoner B-
3087 by
• Independent
and Dependent • Dependent and
Alan Gratz Clauses Independent
Clauses
SPIRAL REVIEW:
• Sentence types
VOLUME 2
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
lesson
ONE
digital links notes
The links below are for the resources for just this week. If you would like to
assign the mentor sentences or interactive notes a quarter at a time, there is a
separate file of digital links that links to all nine weeks’ mentor sentences and
interactive notebook lessons if you purchased an entire quarter.
student mentor sentence and interactive notes:
[Link]
lesson plan, mentor sentences, and teacher keys:
[Link]
lesson slides and practice:
[Link]
self-grading assessment:
[Link]
VOLUME 2
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Lesson ONE: dependent and independent clauses
Common Core Sixth grade Seventh grade Eighth grade
Standards
Language: L.1a Language: L.1a Language: L.1a
Preparation • Copies of Monday worksheets or sentence strips
• Copies of Tuesday Student Interactive Notebook Pages or Quick
Notes Version
• Slides for Tuesday Lesson: Dependent and Independent Clauses
• Copies of Friday Assessment
Digital • Student Mentor Sentence Pages and Interactive Lessons:
Preparation [Link]
• Teacher Mentor Sentence and Interactive Notes Keys:
[Link]
• Teacher Lesson Slides and Practice:
[Link]
• Self-Grading Assessment:
[Link]
Video Video Link Disclaimer: I do my best to keep links updated, but I can not guarantee they will work if the creator
changes the link. I include the title and author so you can search the video in the event the link does not work.
Link(s)
Independent and Dependent Clauses: Dependent & Independent
Clauses by VE Content [Link]
Monday
Monday learning period:
1. Display, digitally assign, or hand out copies of this week’s mentor
sentence activity.
2. Have students read the sentence and then make notes of any
grammar concepts they notice. If they’re stuck, have them use the
Monday Musings handout page or chart paper you’ve created for
ideas of what they could notice.
3. Especially in the first weeks, and with younger middle school grade
levels, don’t be afraid to do the Monday Musings with them. It helps
build their confidence in order to do it on their own. Throughout the
year, my students needed help getting started with ideas.
VOLUME 2
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Monday possible Monday musings:
continued • Complex Sentence
• Subordinating conjunction
• Comma
• Independent clause
• Dependent Pronouns
• Possessive pronoun
4. Students then label the sentence for the parts of speech. Again, I spend
the first quarter labeling the parts of speech with them.
Tuesday
Tuesday learning period:
1. Review the mentor sentence from yesterday and ask students to predict
what grammar lesson you are going to teach them based on the
sentence. I allow a few students to make guesses. If a student guesses
correctly, then I say, “Yes! We’re going to learn about…”.
2. If they haven’t guessed, I tell students, “Today we’re going to learn about
Dependent and Independent Clauses.”
3. I remind them that we learned about the four sentence types based on
their structure and that structure is determined by the types of
dependent and independent clauses they contain. Today we’re going
to dive into the two clause types.
Grammar lesson: Dependent and Independent Clauses
1. If you already glued in the dependent and dependent clause flaps in the
pre-lessons, you just need to write the notes underneath those flaps that
were left blank. Otherwise, hand out the interactive notebook or quick
notes pages or assign the digital version of the lessons.
2. Explain to students that you’re going to teach them how to identify
dependent and independent clauses.
3. Explain that this is a grammar concept they can use when completing
the Monday Musings moving forward.
4. Optional: Show the video about dependent and independent clauses.
5. Display the lesson slides on dependent and independent clauses and
have students take notes and/or have them go over the definitions. If
you’re short on time, have students glue in or hole-punch in one of the
quick-note versions of the notes.
VOLUME 2
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Wednesday Wednesday learning period:
1. Today students will change the original sentence in some way. I
used to say, “Make it better,” but we just want them to interact with
the sentence by focusing on the new grammar skills. This can mean
adding or taking away words, changing the sentence’s structure or
changing the clauses within the sentence.
2. I would encourage them to focus on changing the structure in some
way so that they are forced to look at the dependent and
independent clauses.
Possible Wednesday Work-It:
• The next six years of my life would teach me to eat.
• Changed from complex sentence to simple sentence
Thursday Thursday learning period:
1. Today students will write their own sentence(s) using the new
grammar concept.
2. I would have them try to create one of each type of sentence or a
sentence with each type of clause because that will force them to
think about independent and dependent clauses.
Possible Thinking Thursday:
• If I had known Elizabeth was going to be so late, I would have just
gone to practice without her.
• Wrote another complex sentence with the subordinating
conjunction “if.”
Friday Friday learning period:
1. Give students the assessments on Dependent and Independent
Clauses or assign the self-grading version in Google classroom.
Friday Assessments Note: In the first weeks and months of mentor sentences, I
use the Friday assessments as extra practice that we do together as a class
instead of assessing students every week. They are learning a lot of new
information, and I didn’t expect them to master a new skill every week. This is a
personal preference, but I just want to reiterate that this grammar instruction
type is a marathon, not a sprint. The lessons will spiral the grammar skills as they
participate in the Monday Musings each week, and many of the assessments
review the previous week’s concepts.
VOLUME 2
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Mentor Name:___________________________ Date:_____ Period:___
Sentence 1
“If I had known what the next six years of
my life were going to be like, I would have
eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
Monday Musings:What do you notice about this week’s mentor sentence? Use your
Monday Musings chart paper to help you. Then, label the entire sentence’s parts of
speech.
If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.
Teacher Tuesday: Learn about the grammar concept from your teacher.
Work on it Wednesday: Make the mentor sentence better. Improve the mentor
sentence by improving any parts of speech, punctuation, figurative language, etc.
Thinking Thursday: Create a new sentence that uses the same pattern as the mentor
sentence. Use the grammar skills we learned this week as well.
VOLUME TWO
VOLUME 2 ©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
VOLUME TWO
“If I had known what the next six years of my life were
going to be like, I would have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
Mentor “If I had known what the next six years
of my life were going to be like, I would
sentence 1 have eaten more.”
-Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
Monday: Tuesday teaching:
• Complex Sentence Possible grammar skills to focus on:
• Subordinating conjunction • NEW: Dependent and
• Comma independent clauses
• Independent clause (I would have • REVIEW: Types of sentences
eaten more.)
• Dependent clause (If I had known Wednesday:
what the next six years of my life The next six years of my life would teach
were going to be like…) me to eat.
• Pronouns • Changed from complex
• Possessive pronoun sentence to simple sentence
Tuesday: Thursday:
If- subordinating conjunction If I had known Elizabeth was going to
I-pronoun be so late, I would have just gone to
had- helping verb practice without her.
known- verb • Wrote another complex
what-adjective sentence with the
the- article subordinating conjunction “if.”
next- adjective
six- adjective
years-noun
of-preposition
my-possessive pronoun
life- noun (object of the preposition)
were- helping verb
going- verb
to-infinitive
be-linking verb
like-adverb
I-pronoun
would- helping verb
have- helping verb
eaten- verb
more- adverb
VOLUME 2 ©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Independent and dependent clauses
Dependent Definition: A group of words that does not form a complete
thought.
clause Example: After her bike ride was over.
independent Definition: A group of words that makes sense as a complete
thought.
clause
Example: Sadie sang a song.
grammar note: coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to link two
independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions are words that link a
dependent clause to an independent clause.
simple sentence: Compound sentence:
Joe waited for the train. Joe waited or the train, but the train
was late.
complex sentence: Compound-complex sentence:
While he waited at the train station, His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling
behind half-mooned spectacles, and his nose
Joe realized that the train was late.
was long and crooked, like it’d been broken.
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Independent and dependent clauses
Dependent Definition: A group of words that does not form a complete
thought.
clause Example: After her bike ride was over.
independent Definition: A group of words that makes sense as a complete
thought.
clause
Example: Sadie sang a song.
grammar note: coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to link two
independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions are words that link a
dependent clause to an independent clause.
quick notes: glue in
simple sentence: Compound sentence:
Joe waited for the train. Joe waited or the train, but the train
was late.
complex sentence: Compound-complex sentence:
While he waited at the train station, His blue eyes were light, bright, and sparkling
behind half-mooned spectacles, and his nose
Joe realized that the train was late.
was long and crooked, like it’d been broken.
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Independent and dependent clauses
Dependent Definition:
clause Example:
independent Definition:
clause Example:
grammar note: coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to link two
independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions are words that link a
dependent clause to an independent clause.
simple sentence: Compound sentence:
complex sentence: Compound-complex sentence:
Independent and dependent clauses
Dependent Definition:
clause Example:
quick notes: glue in and take notes
independent Definition:
clause Example:
grammar note: coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to link two
independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions are words that link a
dependent clause to an independent clause.
simple sentence: Compound sentence:
complex sentence: Compound-complex sentence:
Independent and dependent clauses
Dependent Definition: A group of words that does
clause not form a complete thought.
Example: After her bike ride was over.
independent Definition: A group of words that makes
clause sense as a complete thought.
Example: Sadie sang a song.
grammar note: coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to link two
independent clauses while subordinating conjunctions are words that
link a dependent clause to an independent clause.
simple sentence: Compound sentence:
Joe waited for the train. Joe waited or the
train, but the train was
late.
complex sentence: Compound-complex sentence:
His blue eyes were light,
While he waited at the bright, and sparkling
train station, Joe behind half-mooned
realized that the train spectacles, and his nose
was late. was long and crooked, like
it’d been broken.
quick notes: glue in or hole-punch into binder
Independent and dependent clauses
Dependent Definition:
clause
Example:
independent Definition:
clause
Example:
grammar note: coordinating conjunctions are words that are used to link two
independent clauses, while subordinating conjunctions are words that link a
dependent clause to an independent clause.
simple sentence: Compound sentence:
complex sentence: Compound-complex sentence:
quick notes: glue in or hole-punch into binder and take notes
Lesson
one
Simple sentence
Compound Sentence
complex Sentence
Compound-complex Sentence
Independent dependent
clause clause ©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Lesson Dependent and independent clauses
one NOTE: We filled out the types of sentences notes in the pre-
lessons. You will just need to fill out the information
underneath independent and dependent clauses.
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Lesson Dependent and independent clauses
one NOTE: We filled out the types of sentences notes in the pre-
lessons. You just need to fill out the information underneath
independent and dependent clauses.
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Dependent and independent clauses
NOTE: We filled out the types of sentences notes in the
pre-lessons. You just need to fill out the information
underneath independent and dependent clauses.
The following pages have an
alternative template if you want only
to take notes on dependent and
independent clauses.
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
lesson
DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
one
Dependent independent
Clause Clause
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
lesson DEPENDENT AND INDEPENDENT CLAUSES
one
Dependent independent
Clause Clause
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
lesson
Lesson
TWO Example
one
VOLUME TWO
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Lesson
Example
one
VOLUME TWO
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
Mentor Name:_______________________
sentence 1 Date:_________ Period:___
Underline the independent clause and circle the dependent clause in each sentence.
1. Since my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave.
2. When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.
3. Mom is getting started on the cookies, while I go to the grocery store.
4. Since I was tired, I decided to go to bed.
5. Although it is raining, I am going out for a run.
6. After I leave work, I will stop at the grocery store.
7. Melanie will sign the proposal that you prepared if you send it to her this week.
8. I will go to the party with you if you promise we’ll be home by 11:00 p.m.
REVIEW: Label the following sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-
complex:
1. ____________I think I will buy the red car, or I will lease the blue one.
2. ____________ Mrs. Cahill is my favorite teacher.
3. ____________ The actor was happy he got a part in a movie, although the part was small.
4. ____________ Since Rylee was already late to school, she decided to get Starbucks,
but Mr. Pfannensteil was not amused when she came late.
5. ____________ I am counting my calories, yet I really want dessert.
6. ____________ While Josh waited for the train, he realized that Reese was late, but
Josh decided to take the number thirteen bus anyway.
7. ____________ James will be in third grade this year.
8. ____________ I needed to get my nails done, but decided I would wait until I didn’t
have so much homework.
9. ____________ Since Kaitlyn wanted to go to prom with Alex, she waited for Alex to
ask her before school on Monday.
10. ____________ I need to do my English paper for Mrs. Cahill, but Ms. Archuletta will
not be happy if I don’t finish my Social Studies homework.
©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
VOLUME 2
Mentor
sentence 1 ANSWER KEY
Underline the independent clause and circle the dependent clause in each sentence.
1. Since my coffee was too cold, I heated it in the microwave.
2. When Jim studied in the Sweet Shop for his chemistry quiz, it was very noisy.
3. Mom is getting started on the cookies, while I go to the grocery store.
4. Since I was tired, I decided to go to bed.
5. Although it is raining, I am going out for a run.
6. After I leave work, I will stop at the grocery store.
7. Melanie will sign the proposal that you prepared if you send it to her this week.
8. I will go to the party with you if you promise we’ll be home by 11:00 p.m.
REVIEW: Label the following sentences as simple, compound, complex, or compound-complex:
1. Compound I think I will buy the red car, or I will lease the blue one.
2. Simple Mrs. Cahill is my favorite teacher.
3. Complex The actor was happy he got a part in a movie, although the part was small.
4. Compound-Complex Since Rylee was already late to school, she decided to get
Starbucks, but Mr. Pfannenstiel was not amused when she came late.
5. Compound I am counting my calories, yet I really want dessert.
6. Compound-Complex While Josh waited for the train, he realized that Reese was late,
but Josh decided to take the number thirteen bus anyway.
7. Simple Emily will be in third grade this year.
8. Compound I needed to get my nails done, but decided I would wait until I didn’t
have so much homework.
9. Complex Since Kaitlyn wanted to go to prom with Alex, she waited for Alex to ask
her before school on Monday.
10. Compound I need to do my English paper for Mrs. Cahill, but Ms. Archuletta will not
be happy if I don’t finish my Social Studies homework.
VOLUME 2 ©martina cahill-the hungry teacher
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Middle school grammar
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