PERFORMANCE
Start a Chain Reaction
Try this project if you like surprises! First, make
sure everyone in the class has a list of subordi-
nating conjunctions and relative pronouns. Then,
you start the ball rolling by giving one classmate
an independent clause. He or she adds on a sub-
ordinate clause and passes on the sentence to the
next person. When the last person adds a clause,
you’ll have an incredibly long sentence that will
probably be a very strange and funny story. You
can do this project aloud or by passing around a
sheet of paper. If you do the project on paper, be
sure to read the story to the class.
REPRESENTING
Decisions, Decisions
Make a flowchart showing the process of decid-
ing whether a word group is a phrase or an inde-
pendent or a subordinate clause. Naturally,
you’ll have steps for finding the subject and the
verb. You’ll want a step for determining whether
the word group is a complete thought, too.
Neatly transfer your flowchart to poster board.
Feel free to jazz up your chart with colors and
designs.
ORIGINAL PROJECTS
Have It Your Way
Create a project of your own. Write and teach a
marching song about clauses to the class. Write a
monologue composed only of subordinate
clauses, such as If only I had. . . . Look up the ety-
mology and definitions of the word clause, and
report what you learn. Find out what the legal
term clause means. Color-code the adverb and
adjective clauses in a page of writing. Cut up
some complex sentences into clauses, and ask
your classmates to put them back together. Be
sure to get your teacher’s approval before start-
ing your project.
MUSIC
If I Had the Wings of an Angel
Subordinating conjunctions begin many popu-
lar songs. Compile a list of opening lines that
begin with a subordinating conjunction, and
post the list in the classroom. Be sure to under-
line each subordinate clause and highlight each
subordinating conjunction.
REPRESENTING
Around and Around We Go
Show your classmates how adverb clauses can
often be moved from the end of a sentence to the
beginning or vice versa. Write a sentence that
includes two parts: an independent clause and an
adverb clause. Using all lowercase letters and no
punctuation, write or print out several copies of
each clause. Cut out each clause so it is on its own
strip of paper. Then, tape the strips together, alter-
nating your two clauses. Ta-da! You have an end-
less statement that makes sense, no matter which
clause comes first. Give two copies of each clause
to your classmates, and ask them to capitalize and
punctuate both possible versions of the sentence.
DRAMA
He Said, She Said
Write a dialogue between two people who are
deciding where to go on Saturday night. One
speaks only in independent clauses; the other
speaks only in subordinate clauses. Videotape
your dialogue, or perform it for the class.
MATHEMATICS
One Times One Plus One
Forge a connection between mathematical claus-
es and grammatical clauses. Plan and conduct a
short seminar in mathematical clauses. Begin
with an independent clause—a simple equation.
Then, add parenthetical expressions that make
the equation more complex.
Language and Sentence Skills Practice
87
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Choices: Exploring Clauses
The following activities challenge you to find a connection between clauses and the world
around you. Do the activity below that suits your personality best, and then share your dis-
coveries with your class.
NAME CLASS DATE
GRAMMAR | Language in Context: Choices
for CHAPTER 4: THE CLAUSE
pages 98=110
ec09ch04pg87_110 10/15/01 4:05 AM Page 87
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