Using hyphens to create adjectives
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify when to use a hyphen to create adjectives.
Key learning points
- A hyphen can be used to join a modifier to an adjective to make one adjective, e.g. well-dressed.
- A hyphen can be used to join two or more words that are functioning as one adjective.
- How to spell the curriculum words: familiar and opportunity.
Keywords
Hyphen - a punctuation mark that can join two words to make one compound adjective
Compound adjective - an adjective formed of two hyphenated words
Modifier - a word or phrase that provides additional information or describes an adjective or adverb
Common misconception
Pupils might assume any combination of words can create a compound adjective.
Look at some non-examples such as 'blood-paced' and 'fast-splattered' to teach them that not every combination makes a compound adjective.
Teacher tip
If possible, find examples of hyphenated words in your class novel or current reading books so that children can see them in a familiar context and understand how they can aid descriptions.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the prefixes to the root words.
existing
ordinate
involved
husband
Q2.When might a hyphen be used?
Q3.Choose the correct word to fill the gap in this sentence: You must __________ the button to restart the machine.
Q4.Choose the correct word to fill the gap in this sentence: The smell of flesh made him __________ as he entered the room.
Q5.Select the words where a hyphen could be used to separate two vowels next to each other.
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence: Raise your hand rather than intrupt me whilst I am speaking.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Identify the statements about hyphens which are correct.
Q2.Identify the compound adjectives.
Q3.Match the pairs of words that would make a compound adjective using a hyphen.
swept
covered
paced
reaching
Q4.Which of these phrases requires a hyphen to create a compound adjective?
Q5.Which of these sentences makes clear that the shark is capable of eating the man?
Q6.Correct the spelling of the word in bold in this sentence. I had never seen his face before but his voice sounded immediately famillier.
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Using hyphens to create adjectives, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Using hyphens to create adjectives, 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 Letter strings, etymology and curriculum words unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.