A new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify the structure of a relative complex sentence.
Key learning points
- The relative clause is a type of subordinate clause, which must join to a main clause to make complete sense.
- The relative clause adds extra, relevant information about a noun or noun phrase within a main clause.
- A relative clause often interrupts the main clause.
- A relative clause joined with a main clause forms the relative complex sentence.
Keywords
Relative clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Relevant - closely related to
Interrupt - force to stop or break
Relative complex sentence - a sentence formed of a main clause and a relative subordinate clause
Common misconception
Children may be unsure which noun or noun phrase the relative clause should be placed after.
The relative clause is placed after whichever noun or noun phrase it provides extra, relevant information about.
Teacher tip
Use metaphors to teach the idea of the main clause being interrupted - for instance, you could describe the relative complex sentence as a burger, where the bun is the main clause and the meat is the relative clause.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these are true for a subordinate clause?
Q2.What are two relative pronouns that can start a relative clause?
Q3.In the sentence 'The bicycle, which had a red frame, belonged to my little sister', what is the relative clause?
Q4.In the sentence 'Wales, which is a part of the UK, is a beautiful country', what noun does the relative clause tell us more about?
Q5.Match the noun phrases to the relative clauses they could link to.
, which was made of wood,
, who is only two years old,
, which produces wheat,
, who is very talented,
Q6.Which of the following sentences contain a relative clause?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which sentence contains a relative clause?
Q2.Which relative clause could fill this gap? The mountain, ___________, was 3,000m high.
Q3.Match the relative clause to the sentence it completes.
Lucas, __________, did his best in the test.
The playground, __________, was always crowded.
The football team, __________, let in seven goals.
Q4.In the sentence 'Alex won the competition easily', after which word would you place the relative clause 'who danced every day'?
Q5.Which of these are true for a relative complex sentence?
Q6.To combine the two sentences 'Izzy was working hard in Maths.' and 'She was determined to do well', which sentence would be formed?
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: A new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: A new sentence structure: the relative complex sentence, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Simple, compound, adverbial and relative complex sentences unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.