Quick 10-minute writing skills task - complex sentences using a subordinating conjunction starter

This week, your child can try using a subordinating conjunction to start a sentence. This will create a complex sentence (a multi-clause sentence). Complex sentences show links between ideas and add extra information. As always, I have used this in school with KS2 students as a quick warm-up, inspired by the literacy guru Pie Corbett. And thanks to Twinkl for the really useful ISAWAWABUB fan image!

Week 4 – Making a complex sentence 

Step 1: Choose 2 nouns that don't seem to go together. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

 Step 2: Choose a subordinating conjunction from the I SAW A WABUB fan (shown in the picture for this post). The list is:-

 Note: 'I Saw a Wabub' is an acronym to help children remember the first letters of some of the most important subordinating conjunctions

 Step 3: Now, compose a complex sentence using the subordinating conjunction to start the sentence and then include the two nouns.

Note: Subordinating conjunctions are the first words within a subordinate clause. Subordinate clauses do not make sense on their own, but when used with a main clause, they create a complex (multi-clause) sentence. Subordinate clauses will always have a subject and verb within them.