Joining Sentences with Commas

Free to teach as-is — the teacher guide, student handout, and slides are included.

Free — we'll email you an access link. Google Docs format.

Objective

I can combine independent clauses using a comma and a coordinating conjunction.

Part 1 of 4

Warm-up video

TED-Ed · 5:00Vetted channel

We don't generate video — this one is by TED-Ed on YouTube. The practice questions and exit ticket below were drafted by AI for this objective, and every question is editable in the teacher guide.

Part 2 of 4

Key concepts

3 concepts

  1. 1

    The acronym FANBOYS can help you remember the coordinating conjunctions: for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.

  2. 2

    Subordinates connect two unequal things, specifically dependent and independent clauses.

  3. 3

    When a sentence begins with a subordinate, a comma is placed directly after the first complete thought.

Part 3 of 4

Practice

3 questions

1

Identify the sentence that correctly uses a comma with a coordinating conjunction to join two independent clauses.

2

Rewrite the following two sentences as one sentence, using a comma and a coordinating conjunction: 'I went to the store. I bought milk.'

Part 4 of 4

Exit ticket

Quick comprehension check

Combine the following independent clauses into one sentence using a comma and a coordinating conjunction: 'She loves to read books. Her brother prefers to watch movies.'

Sample answer included in the free materials

Get the materials

Teacher guide, student handout, and slides — free, in Google Docs format

  • Teacher Guide

    Complete lesson plan with answer keys and alternate activities

  • Student Handout

    Printable worksheet

  • Slides

    Ready to present

We'll ask for your email to send your access link — nothing else.

Teaching a group at a different level?

Where are your students right now? We'll rebuild this lesson to match — including the teacher guide, student handout, and slides, saved to your Google Drive.

Adapt This Lesson