Lesson video

Hello everyone.

My name is Mrs. Riley, and I'm here today to do some grammar learning with you.

I hope you are ready because we are going to learn lots of exciting things today.

Let's get started, shall we? The outcome of today's lesson is to stretch a simple sentence with because subordination.

Here are our key words for today's lesson.

I'm going to say each word and I'd like you to repeat it back to me.

My turn, your turn.

Have you got those listening ears ready and those loud speaking voices ready? Great.

Then let's get started.

Joining word.

Reason.

Stretch.

Complex sentence.

Well done.

I'm so pleased that you all joined in, so don't worry if any of those words seem a little bit unfamiliar because we are going to talk about them in our lesson today, lots and lots.

So by the end of the lesson, you'll feel really confident with what they all mean.

So in today's lesson, we are going to first of all look at understanding dependency.

That's quite a mouthful, isn't it? Don't worry if you're not sure what that means 'cause we're going to look at it now.

So first of all, let's just listen to some sentences.

Have you got your listening ears ready? Here we go.

Jacob wore a raincoat.

The cat slept inside.

She took an umbrella.

They played inside.

These are all complete ideas.

They all make sense.

They're all about one idea only.

These are simple sentences.

What are they? Yes, that's right.

They're simple sentences.

Let's look at the sentences again.

Jacob wore a raincoat.

The cat slept inside.

She took an umbrella.

We played inside.

Let's try to stretch these first ideas.

Here we go.

Are you ready to do some stretching? Good.

Jacob wore a raincoat because it was raining.

I have taken that simple sentence about one idea and I have stretched it.

Jacob wore a raincoat because it was raining.

I've explained why he was wearing a raincoat.

Let's try and stretch the next one.

The cat slept inside because it was cold outside.

I'm stretching the idea by explaining why the cat slept inside.

I'm giving a reason.

She took an umbrella because it might rain.

And finally, we played inside because it was dark outside.

I have stretched each idea using the word because.

Can you see, in all of these sentences I've used the word because? Can you point at them, how many becauses have I used? Let's count them together.

1, 2, 3, 4.

I've stretched four simple sentences using the word because.

Because is a new type of, drum roll, joining word.

It's a new type of joining word.

It stretches the first idea in a sentence with a reason.

The dog wagged its tail.

The dog wagged its tail because it was happy.

So the first idea was just the dog wagged its tail.

But we stretched that idea with a reason and we used the joining word because.

The squirrels stores nuts.

How could we stretch this idea with a reason? Why might a squirrel stores nuts? Have some thinking time.

What could we say? The squirrel stores nuts because.

Let's have a look, shall we? The squirrel stores nuts because it needs food for winter.

Perhaps in winter it can't get them or it's hibernating.

So that's why it stores nuts.

Let's check what we've just learnt.

When can we use the joining word because in a sentence? A, to give a different option to the first idea in a sentence, B, to join opposing ideas in a sentence, C, to give a reason to the first idea in a sentence, or D, to build on the first idea in a sentence.

Pause the video while you think about your answer.

Okay, well done.

The correct answer is C.

We use the joining word because to give a reason to the first idea in the sentence.

Just like when we said the cat slept inside because it was too cold outside.

The second part, it gave a reason to the first part.

So look at these sentences again.

The dog wagged its tail because it was happy.

The squirrel stores nuts because it needs food for winter.

When we stretch the first idea with because, we create a second idea that depends on the first idea.

Let's say that again.

When we stretch the first idea with because, we create a second idea that depends on the first idea.

The first idea makes complete sense on its own.

The dog wagged its tail.

The squirrel stores nuts.

Both of those first parts make complete sense on their own.

They don't depend on anything else.

They can stand alone.

The second idea though does not make complete sense on its own.

Because it was happy.

Because it needs food for winter.

So the second part depends on the first part.

Let's think more about what this word depends on means.

Lots of things in the world depend on other things to exist.

A baby depends on an adult for food, water, and care.

Without an adult to look after it, a baby would not be able to look after itself.

So a baby depends on an adult.

It is dependent on an adult.

A plant depends on sunlight and water to grow.

Without sunlight and water, a plant will not grow.

A plant would not exist without sunlight and water.

So let's imagine we got a plant, we bought it from the garden centre and we went and we put it in a dark cupboard and we closed the door and we never fed it any water and it never had any sunlight.

It wouldn't be able to exist.

It would die because it depends on sunlight and water.

A lamp depends on electricity in order to turn on.

Without being plugged into an electrical socket, a lamp will not be able to turn on.

It is dependent upon electricity in order to function as a lamp.

A car depends on fuel or electricity to move.

Without fuel or electricity, a car will not be able to drive.

It is dependent upon fuel or electricity.

Can you think of any other examples of things in the world that depend on other things? So we've thought of a baby dependent on an adult, a car dependent on fuel or electricity.

Can you think of something else that would not work or be able to exist without something else? Perhaps you could pause the video and I'm going to try and think of something too.

Pause the video now.

Well done.

That was quite tricky.

So well done if you managed to think of something.

I was thinking about how a swimming pool is dependent on water.

If you had a swimming pool with no water filled in it, it wouldn't be a swimming pool because you wouldn't be able to swim in it.

Or a bouncy castle is dependent on the air that's filled up inside it because without the air it would just be flat and then you wouldn't be able to bounce on it.

I wonder what examples you thought of.

Well done for thinking so hard.

So for our check for understanding, I would like you to match these words to the things that they depend on.

So the options are we've got a river, phone, and a human.

And the things that they could depend on are electricity, food, water, and air, or just water.

So perhaps you could draw an imaginary line in the air and match these up.

So pause the video while you do that now.

Well done.

Let's go through the answers.

So a river.

Does a river depend on electricity? No.

Does it depend on food, water, and air? No.

I don't think we have to feed a river, but it does depend on water.

If a river has no water, it isn't a river, it cannot exist.

A phone depends on electricity to work.

And finally, a human depends on food, water, and air.

Without food, water, and air, without those three vital things, we would not be able to survive.

Therefore, we depend upon them.

So in this this learning cycle where we learned about understanding dependency, which sounds a little bit like it's going to be very difficult, actually we've learned that it's not, is it? We've just learned that some things depend on other things in order to exist.

And the reason we're learning that is because when we use the word because, that part of our sentence that we stretch to explain the first part depends on the first part.

It cannot exist without that first part.

But the first part can stand alone.

So thinking back to that example we looked at, the cat sleeps inside.

That can stand alone.

It doesn't depend on anything, but the part that we stretched it with, because it was too cold outside, that depends on the first part in order to work.

So let's look at these sentences.

We can't get on the bus because there is no space.

Lucas wants to be a vet when he's older because he loves animals.

My clothes are soaking wet because I got caught in the rain.

The first idea in the sentence has been stretched by the joining word because to create a second idea.

We can't get on the bus because there is no space.

Without the first idea the second idea would not exist, just like the plant would not exist without water and sunlight.

Lucas wants to be a vet when he's older because he loves animals.

The second part, because he loves animals, is dependent on the first idea, Lucas wants to be a vet when he's older.

My clothes are soaking wet.

That makes sense by itself.

But the second part, the part where we've stretched to give a reason, because I got caught in the rain, wouldn't exist without the first part.

It is dependent on the first idea.

So it is time for your first task for today's lesson.

I would like you to circle the stretched second idea that is dependent on the first idea in each sentence.

Remember it'll begin with because, that's a big clue.

So here are the sentences.

The gong on the clock sounded because it was midnight.

We can't go outside because you haven't got your shoes on.

I enjoy going to school because we learn interesting things.

Aisha put her hand up because she knew the answer.

Could you now pause the video while you circle the stretched second idea? Off you go.

Well done.

Let's take a look at the answers.

So in the first example, the second idea is because it was midnight, that is dependent on the first idea, which is the gong on the clock sounded.

In the second sentence, the first part, the first idea which can exist by itself, is we can't go outside.

The second idea that is dependent on the first idea is because you haven't got your shoes on.

In the third example, the second idea that is dependent on the first idea is because we learn interesting things.

And finally in the last example, the second idea is because she knew the answer.

All of those second ideas begin with because.

They all stretch the first idea and they are all dependent on the first idea.

So let's look at our second learning cycle, stretching with because.

Here are some ideas.

Because she was tired.

Because it was our break time.

Because she wanted some shade.

Because it is a lovely day.

These ideas all depend on another idea in order to make sense.

I couldn't write a book and on the first page say, "Because she was tired." And I couldn't on the second page say, "Because it was our break time." You would think, what on earth is Mrs. Riley talking about? That those ideas don't make sense without the first idea.

Because is a type of joining word.

We use it to stretch the first idea in a sentence with a reason.

Sophia went to bed.

There's our first idea.

I wonder if we can stretch that idea with a reason why might Sophia go to bed.

Why might you go to bed? How might you be feeling? Yes, that's right.

You might be feeling tired.

So perhaps we could say Sophia went to bed because she was tired.

Using because to stretch a simple sentence forms a complex sentence.

My turn, your turn.

Complex sentence.

Well done.

So we've learnt a new type of sentence.

You might have already learnt compound sentences, and maybe you've learned this action, a compound sentence where we join two simple sentences using and, but, and or.

And now we've learned a new type of sentence called a complex sentence where we stretch an idea using the word because where we give a reason for the first idea.

Sophia went to bed because she was tired.

We've stretched it with a reason why A complex I sentence includes one idea that makes complete sense and another idea, the second idea that depends on it.

Sophia went to bed.

That's our first idea.

That makes complete sense.

And here's our second idea, because she was tired.

That depends on the first idea.

So let's check what we have learned so far.

Which of these sentences make sense on their own? A, because it was raining.

B, Alex bought a new scooter.

C, the flowers brightened up the classroom.

D, because the queue was too long.

Now I know none of these have got full stops, but which of these make sense on their own? Can you please pause the video while you think about the answer? Okay, well done.

These sentences, or they're not sentences 'cause if it was a simple sentence, it would need to have a full stop.

But the ones that make sense on their own are, Alex bought a new scooter, and the flowers brightened up for the classroom.

Because it was raining and because the queue was too long would depend on another part of the sentence in order to make complete sense.

Let's look at because stretching these first ideas with a reason.

We went into the playground because it was our break time.

Izzy sat under a tree because she wanted some shade.

Let's go swimming because it's such a lovely day.

Because joins on a second idea with a reason that explains the first idea.

So for example, we went into the playground.

The second part is because it was our break time.

The second part explains the first idea with a reason why.

Why? Why did we go into the playground? Because it was our break time.

These are all complex sentences because the second idea in the sentence depends on the first idea to make sense.

So these are all complex sentences.

What are these called? Well done.

They're called complex.

Well done.

They're called complex sentences.

When we use the joining word because, the reason we give must relate to the first idea in the sentence.

Can you identify the complex sentence here that doesn't make sense? Dad took the cake out of the oven because it was burning.

We drive home in the car because it is too far to walk.

He was tired because it's searching for food.

Some birds fly south in the winter because it is too cold for them here.

One of those sentences doesn't sound right.

And the reason it doesn't sound right is because the second idea doesn't relate to the first idea.

Could you pause the video while you see if you can identify or spot the sentence that does not work.

Okay, let's go through them.

So dad took the cake out of the oven because it was burning.

The second idea, because it was burning, explains why he took the cake out of the oven.

So that one makes sense.

The second idea gives a reason.

It relates to the first idea.

We drive home in the car because it is too far to walk again.

The second part explains why we drive, it is related.

He was tired because it is searching for food.

That doesn't make sense.

The second part, because it is searching for food, doesn't relate to he was tired.

So that one doesn't work.

Some birds fly south in the winter because it is too cold from here.

That one works.

So well done if you spotted that one that didn't work.

So let's check what we've learned.

Could you choose the first idea that works best to fill this gap? Because it was time to go back to class.

So here are your options.

A, they ordered pizza, B, he went to the library, or C, we lined up.

Remember the second part is because it was time to go back to class.

So which first idea best fills that gap.

Pause the video now.

Okay, well done if you selected we lined up.

We lined up because it was time to go back to class.

Read these simple sentences.

I went to the hospital.

She wore boots.

Mum closed the window.

Can you use the joining word because to stretch each idea to form a complex sentence? This is a talk task.

So we're not writing anything, we are just saying out loud how we could finish these sentences by stretching it to using the word because.

And remember, it must be related to the first idea.

For example, I couldn't say I went to the hospital because my lamp was broken.

Because I wouldn't go to hospital if my lamp was broken.

That doesn't relate to hospital.

So make sure you think carefully about stretching it with something that relates to the first idea.

Pause the video while you complete this talk task.

Okay, well done.

Let's look at some examples of what you could have said.

I went to the hospital because I had broken my arm.

She wore boots because it was wet and muddy outside.

Mum closed the window because the storm was noisy.

All of those second ideas stretch the first idea and they give a reason.

They are all related to the first idea and they depend on the first idea.

They don't make sense by themselves.

Read these first ideas.

The little girl cried.

Sam felt exhausted.

The dog barked loudly.

Pick one and use because to stretch the first idea with a reason, this is your second task for today.

So your second writing task.

So for example, you might pick Sam felt exhausted, and then you might think, what could the reason be? Why might Sam feel exhausted? Or what might the reason be why the little girl cried? Or what might the reason be why the dog barked loudly.

And then you can use the word because to stretch and and give that reason.

And you're going to write it down.

And I would like you to read it back and check it makes sense.

So remember, you are only picking one of these first ideas and writing a complex sentence using because.

Pause the video and good luck.

Okay, well done.

Let's take a look at some complex sentences you might have written.

The little girl cried because she couldn't find her teddy.

Sam felt exhausted because he had stayed up late.

The dog barked loudly because someone knocked on the door.

So there are three examples of complex sentences where we have stretched the first idea using the word because.

Well done for writing your own complex sentence.

Let's summarise what we have learned today.

We've learned that because is another type of joining word.

Because stretches the first idea in a sentence with a reason.

When we stretch the first idea with because, we create a second idea that depends on the first idea, just in the same way that a baby depends on an adult.

A second idea must be joined to the first idea to make sense if because is used to stretch.

Using because to stretch a first idea forms a complex sentence.

So perhaps this week in your writing, if you wrote something down like the dog barked, you might try to stretch that idea using because and give a reason.

The dog barked loudly because he heard a strange noise.

And if you do that, then you can feel really proud of yourself because you know you will have written a complex sentence.

Well done for all your hard work and hopefully I'll see you for some more grammar learning another time.

Bye.