Function of Words: The Conjunction

Conjunctions are the bridges of language — they join words, phrases, and sentences into richer wholes. The pink rectangle evokes a bridge or bar. Children use conjunctions long before they name them; the lesson brings the habit to consciousness.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Grammar
• Level: Ages 7-8

Objectives

• Identify conjunctions as joining words
• Associate the pink rectangle with the conjunction
• Recognize coordinating and subordinating conjunctions
• Compose compound sentences

Materials

• Small pink rectangle (bar shape)
• Basket of sentence pairs to join
• Paper and pencils

Instructions

1. Tell the story: 'Some words hold hands between other words, joining them together. These are our little bridges — the conjunctions. We mark them with a pink bar.' 2. Place the pink rectangle. 3. Show sentence pairs: 'The cat ran. The dog barked.' 4. Join with 'and,' 'but,' 'or,' 'because.' 5. Mark the conjunction. 6. Distinguish coordinating (and, but, or) from subordinating (because, when, although). 7. Mark conjunctions in written text. 8. Compose complex sentences joining many clauses. 9. Explore how different conjunctions change meaning.

Educator tip

Let children feel the shift: 'I was tired and went to bed' vs. 'I was tired but went to bed' — the conjunction changes the story.

Assessment

Note conjunction identification, type distinction, and use in composition.

More from Language

• Function of Words: The Interjection
• Word Study: Prefixes
• Word Study: Suffixes
• Poetry Study — Rhyme, Rhythm, and Imagery
• Grammar Box 1 — The Article
• Grammar Box 2 — The Adjective with Noun and Article
• Detective Adjective Game
• Verb Tense Chart — Past, Present, Future