Coordinating Conjunctions

Contributor: Danielle Childers. Lesson ID: 11021

FANBOYS sounds like a new pop band, BUT it's really a way to remember conjunctions! Videos AND online games AND a reading exercise connect you to the world of coordinating conjunctions, OR so we hope!

categories

Grammar

subject
English / Language Arts
learning style
Visual
personality style
Otter
Grade Level
Intermediate (3-5)
Lesson Type
Skill Sharpener

Lesson Plan - Get It!

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  • What do all of these sentences have in common?

I love chocolate ice cream and strawberry ice cream.

I love chocolate ice cream, but strawberry ice cream is even better.

I do not like chocolate ice cream, nor do I like strawberry ice cream.

I love chocolate ice cream, so I always order a double scoop.

It's true that each sentence is about ice cream, especially chocolate and strawberry, but take a closer look.

Concentrate on the parts of speech.

  • Do you see a particular part of speech (other than a noun and verb), that all of those ice cream sentences have in common? Maybe a kind of word that likes to connect words, phrases, and clauses?
  • Did you get it?

Each sentence has a conjunction.

I love chocolate ice cream and strawberry ice cream.

I love chocolate ice cream, but strawberry ice cream is even better.

I do not like chocolate ice cream, nor do I like strawberry ice cream.

I love chocolate ice cream, so I always order a double scoop.

In review, a conjunction is a word that connects two words, phrases, or clauses.

There are different types of conjunction words, but today you are going to focus solely on coordinating conjunctions.


Coordinating conjunctions join two or more words, phrases, sentences, or independent clauses. Coordinating conjunctions are used to give equal emphasis on both parts of the sentence.

There are seven coordinating conjunctions, and people use this acronym to help them remember: FANBOYS.

F = for
A = and
N = nor
B = but
O = or
Y = yet
S = so

Read through the sentences below to see some examples of coordinating conjunctions:

  • The comic book was too babyish for me, so I exchanged it for a more appropriate one.
  • My mom said I couldn't get an iPhone, but my grandma said she would get me one for Christmas.
  • Neither Minecraft nor Pokémon is allowed at school.

Here is a great site to review more about coordinating conjunctions: The Coordinating Conjunction (chompchomp.com, by Robin L. Simmons).

Now, watch these videos to help review this information!

Compound Sentences with Coordinating Conjunctions, by Christine B:Image - Video

FANBOYS: Coordinating Conjunctions (BYU MCOM 320):Image - Video

After watching the two videos, share with your parent or teacher something new you learned about coordinating conjunctions. Maybe he or she has never heard of FANBOYS!

Next, move on to the Got It? section to play some online learning games!

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