A new subordinate clause: the relative clause
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can identify that a relative clause is a type of subordinate clause.
Key learning points
- Any subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense.
- Any subordinate clause must join to a main clause to make sense.
- A relative clause is a type of subordinate clause which starts with a relative pronoun.
- A previously-learnt type of subordinate clause is the adverbial clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction.
Keywords
Subordinate clause - a group of words that contains a verb and does not make complete sense
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Relative clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a relative pronoun
Relative pronoun - a word that starts a relative clause like "who" or "which"
Adverbial clause - a type of subordinate clause that starts with a subordinating conjunction
Common misconception
Children may believe relative clauses can only be placed in the middle of sentences.
Relative clauses follow nouns/noun phrases; although we focus on the middle position in Y4, it can vary.
Teacher tip
Give pupils opportunities to say example sentences out loud so that they become accustomed to how they sound.
Licence
except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A clause is a group of words that contains ...
Q2.Which two are true of a main clause?
Q3.Which two are true of a subordinate clause?
Q4.What type of word joins a main clause and an adverbial clause to make an adverbial complex sentence?
Q5.Which of the following is an adverbial complex sentence?
Q6.Tick all the sentences that use commas correctly.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.A relative clause is a type of ...
Q2.What kind of word begins a relative clause?
Q3.Which two of the following are relative clauses?
Q4.What kind of word does a relative clause often follow?
Q5.Which relative clause could fill this gap? 'Sofia, __________, waved her hand wildly in the air.'
Q6.Tick all the sentences that contain a relative clause.
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: A new subordinate clause: the relative clause, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 English lesson on: A new subordinate clause: the relative clause, 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.