Repetition of this activity over a sequence of starters really does build pupils’ knowledge. The real beauty of it is getting pupils to explain to each other how they distinguish between the two homophones. Often they can explain more clearly and relevantly than we can. Writing conventions and structures It’s easy to make heavy weather of apostrophes. Keep it simple and clear, using lots of lively starter activities to reinforce understanding and to build confidence. Starters are the key to teaching apostrophes because they allow you to keep it light and fast-moving.

Subordination is achieved in other ways, too, and the sentences below show a range of examples. To reinforce the difference between co-ordination and subordination, think about the main clause in a complex sentence: this provides the main information. The subordinate clause(s) provides the background information. In the examples below, the subordinate clauses are in italics: She wandered into the room, although she felt nervous. Because he was so untidy, his room was a mess. Still eating his toast, he set off for work.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE There are two kinds of conditional: real and unreal. Real conditional describes real-life situations. Unreal conditional describes unreal, imaginary situations. PRESENT REAL CONDITIONAL We use the present real conditional to talk about real-life situations. We use either if or when. Using if suggests that something happens less frequently. Using when suggests that something happens regularly. • If the weather is nice, she walks to work. • When the weather is nice, she walks to work.