Introductory-Clause Comma + Sentence Combining for Variety + Tier-2 Set 12 Part 2

Teacher writes 4 versions of the same content — one starting with subject, one with preposition, one with subordinator, one with participle. Children compare.

• Project 4 versions
• Ask 'how does the opening change the rhythm?'
• Note variety creates voice

Today you meet TWO grammar moves AND 5 new Set-12 words. INTRODUCTORY-CLAUSE COMMA (MG-11). RULE: When/Although/Because/After/Since/If clause + COMMA + Main Clause. 'When Esperanza arrived, she had lost everything.' The introductory clause is everything before the comma — a subordinator + subject + verb + complete idea fragment. The comma signals 'main clause coming.' Short introductory PHRASES (under 5 words, like 'After lunch' or 'At dawn') may omit the comma. Introductory CLAUSES (with subject + verb) always take the comma. SENTENCE-BEGINNING VARIETY (MG-13). 4 ways to start a sentence: WAY 1 SUBJECT-FIRST: 'Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' WAY 2 PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE: 'At the labor camp, Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' WAY 3 SUBORDINATOR: 'When the family arrived, Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' WAY 4 PARTICIPLE: 'Lifting Pepe gently, Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' In one paragraph, vary your beginnings — at least 2 of 4 patterns visible. If every sentence starts with the subject, your voice is monotone. The introductory-clause comma rule applies whenever you use WAY 3 (subordinator). Now Tier-2 Set 12 next 5 words: DEPICT — show in art or words ('The author depicts the labor camp as ___'). PORTRAY — represent in a particular way ('Ryan portrays Esperanza as a child of privilege'). EVOKE — call forth feeling ('The lullaby moment evokes tenderness'). SUGGEST — offer for consideration without stating directly ('The verse line suggests memory's slowness'). ILLUSTRATE — make clear with an example ('This scene illustrates the family's loss').

• Notice: the same content, completely different rhythm and voice. Variety is craft.

  model Original (all subject-first): 'Esperanza arrived. Esperanza learned. Esperanza adapted.' Revised (varied beginnings): 'When the family arrived at the labor camp, Esperanza faced a new life. At first, the work overwhelmed her. Lifting Pepe gently one evening, she discovered her own resilience. She adapted.' (subordinator-first, prepositional-first, participle-first, subject-first).

  prompt Teacher rewrites 1 paragraph using all 4 sentence-beginning patterns.

• Name the 4 sentence-beginning patterns.
• When is a comma required after an introductory clause?
• Use EVOKE in a sentence about your literary essay.

M-5-S-GR-08-A Chart

Reproduction of MG-11 at 11x17: rule + 4 worked examples (each with different subordinator) + short-phrase note at bottom. Subordinator reference list in margin. Print-ready, dyslexic-friendly font.

MG-11 Chart

Introductory-clause comma anchor: rule + 4 worked examples. RULE: 'When/Although/Because/After/Since/If clause + comma + Independent Clause.' Example 1: 'When Esperanza arrived, she had lost everything.' Example 2: 'Although the verse line is short, it carries great weight.' Example 3: 'Because words have power, Woodson chose them carefully.' Example 4: 'After the family settled in California, life became labor.' Below: SHORT-PHRASE NOTE — 'Short introductory PHRASES (under 5 words) may omit the comma; introductory CLAUSES always take the comma.' Print-ready 11x17.

• Audit one paragraph of YOUR draft. Mark each sentence opening pattern (subject / prepositional / subordinator / participle). If all subject-first, rewrite 2 sentences with different patterns.

  scaffold MG-13 + 4-pattern card deck
• Find one sentence in your draft that could start with a subordinator. Apply introductory-clause comma rule.

  scaffold MG-11; subordinator reference card
• Use each of 5 new Set-12 words in a sentence about your literary essay. Frame: 'The author DEPICTS ___.' 'The author PORTRAYS ___.' 'The scene EVOKES ___.' 'The line SUGGESTS ___.' 'The moment ILLUSTRATES ___.'

  scaffold Set 12 cards

M-5-S-GR-08-B Chart

Reproduction of MG-13 at 11x17: 4 patterns shown side-by-side with worked rewrites of one Esperanza paragraph in all 4 patterns. Print-ready, dyslexic-friendly font.

MG-13 Chart

Sentence-beginning variety anchor (L.5.3.a deepened): 4 ways to start a sentence with worked rewrites. WAY 1 — SUBJECT-FIRST: 'Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' WAY 2 — PREPOSITIONAL PHRASE: 'At the labor camp, Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' WAY 3 — SUBORDINATOR: 'When the family arrived, Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' WAY 4 — PARTICIPLE: 'Lifting Pepe gently, Esperanza learned to soothe the babies.' Below: 'In one paragraph, vary your sentence beginnings. Don't start every sentence with the subject — your voice gets monotone.' Print-ready 11x17.

M-5-S-VOC-08-C Chart Physical / non-image

11x17 anchor showing 5 Set 12 words (depict, portray, evoke, suggest, illustrate) in grid; each cell with photo + definition + example sentence about literary analysis. Print-ready.

• Show 2 sentences with varied beginnings (not subject-first).
• Show 1 introductory-clause comma you applied.
• Use 3 Set-12 words in a connected sentence.

• Star your strongest varied opening.
• Predict: tomorrow we deepen voice and tone.

• At home tonight, find 2 introductory-clause commas in your home reading. Note the subordinator each.