Activity: Coordinating Conjunctions

English Language Arts, Grade 6

Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Norfolk, VA

F A N B O Y S

Directions: Fill in the blanks with the correct coordinating conjunction. There may be more than one
correct answer.

Miguel had always wanted to be a professional soccer player. He woke up early this morning
________ had a healthy breakfast. He needed to eat a big meal ________ he could run during the entire
game. He didn’t like neither eggs ________ bread, ________ he ate them anyway to gain lots of energy.
Miguel could play many different positions ________ he was very skilled. Sometimes he would be a
froward ________ other times a striker. The coach asked him whether he wanted to be a striker
________ a forward for this game. Miguel was excited and said “striker!” When the other team, the
Tigers, arrived to the field, they looked fierce ________ they didn’t scare Miguel’s team, the Eagles. He
stole the ball and attempted to kick a goal ________ the goalie blocked it. Miguel huddled the team
together and they came up with a plan to beat the Tigers during the third quarter. A few players
switched positions ________ they could use some new plays. They were tired and sore ________ they
pushed through and won.

Directions: Identify the coordinating conjunction and decide whether there should be a comma before it.

1. I was so excited to see the play but it was canceled at the last minute.

2. We couldn’t decide if we wanted pizza or pasta for dinner.

3. The movie was interesting but too scary to watch.

4. Make sure you tell your friends and family about the fundraiser!

5. The sky was beautiful that night yet the wolves howled for hours.

6. He couldn’t play in the rain for it was too muddy.

Activity: Coordinating Conjunctions
English Language Arts, Grade 6
Academy for Discovery at Lakewood
Norfolk, VA

Not for Students

Instructional Plan:

● Introduction
○ What is today's goal?
○ Prior knowledge: Lexia, No Red Ink, FANBOYS
● Explanation
○ Probe: What does it mean to coordinate?
○ What are coordinating conjunctions?
■ Words that connect other words or phrases together in a sentence
○ What is FANBOYS?
■ Fill out on worksheet
● Modeling
○ For: gives a reason, think “because”
■ I couldn’t buy pizza for I had no money.
○ And: adds to a sequence, in addition to
■ She is tall and strong!
○ Nor: adds information in negative context, think “also not”, neither/nor
■ Grandma doesn’t want to play neither chess nor checkers.
○ But: contrast, think “however”
■ I wanted to high-five him, but he was too tall!
○ Or: gives an option/choice
■ We can go to the beach or the mall.
○ Yet: contrast, think “however”
■ The dogs barked loud yet I still managed to get some sleep.
○ So: cause and effect, think “therefore”
■ He was too tired to do homework, so he went to bed.
● Explanation
○ When are commas placed before a coordinating conjunction?
■ When they are connect independent phrases
■ Probe: What does independent mean? What do you think an independent
phrase looks like?
● Modeling
○ Three sentences on whiteboard
● Conclusion & Review
○ Direct students to activity
■ Encourage elbow partners
○ Review answers after completion
■ Invite students to share answers aloud