Join ideas with and, but, because
A short captioned lesson on how to make longer sentences, for children. Free, with a full transcript and teaching notes.
Read the whole lesson
Join your ideas Hello again, writers! Short sentences are great. But sometimes we want to say more. Today we will learn three little joining words.
and Our first joining word is and. It adds one idea to another. I like apples and I like pears. Two ideas, joined by and.
but Our second joining word is but. It shows a difference. I like swimming, but I do not like the cold water. See how it changes the story?
because Our third word is because. It tells us why. I took my umbrella because it was raining. Because answers the question: why?
I am happy because... Let us try one together. I am happy because. Can you finish it? Maybe the sun is shining, or it is my birthday. Any reason will do.
I wanted to go out, but... Now try but. I wanted to go outside, but. What happened? Perhaps it was raining, or you had homework. Finish it your way.
Read it back Remember to put a comma before but if you like, and always finish with a full stop. Check that your sentence makes sense when you read it.
and but because Wonderful work. And, but and because help you say much more. Use them in your writing today. Bye from Bramble!
For grown-ups Teaching notes
- Conjunctions join two short ideas into one sentence. This video covers and (add), but (contrast) and because (reason).
- Because is the most powerful for thinking. Ask children to say why, then write it.
- Offer a sentence stem: I like ... because ... and let them finish it in different ways.
- Watch for children writing but and because at the start of a new sentence with no main clause. Teach that after they are secure with the middle position.
Tip: pause the video after each picture, ask the child to say the answer, then press play.