The four sentence types — simple, compound, complex, compound-complex (L.7.1.a-b)

Quick-sort: I'll read 4 sentences. Vote — simple, compound, complex, compound-complex? (1) 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus.' (2) 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus, and they recorded its 584-day cycle.' (3) 'Because Venus appeared as both morning and evening star, the Maya tracked it carefully.' (4) 'Because Venus appeared as both morning and evening star, the Maya tracked it carefully, and their records spanned centuries.'

• Collect votes; reveal: (1) simple, (2) compound, (3) complex, (4) compound-complex
• Note compound-complex is the new G7 type — combines both

The FOUR SENTENCE TYPES (MG-18). SIMPLE = 1 independent clause = 1 focused idea. Diagram: [IC]. COMPOUND = 2 independent clauses joined by comma+coordinating conjunction (FANBOYS — for/and/nor/but/or/yet/so) OR semicolon = 2 coordinate ideas. Diagram: [IC] , and [IC]. COMPLEX = 1 independent + 1+ dependent clause = main idea with subordinate detail. Diagram: [DC], [IC] OR [IC] [DC]. Subordinating conjunctions: because, although, since, when, while, if, until, before, after. COMPOUND-COMPLEX = 2+ independent + 1+ dependent = layered relationship. Diagram: [DC], [IC], and [IC]. CHOOSE DELIBERATELY: simple for FOCUS; compound for BALANCE; complex for SUBORDINATION (which idea is main, which subordinate); compound-complex for LAYERED relationship. Compound-complex is the new type at G7 — most professional research writing uses it frequently.

• The structure SIGNALS the layered relationship — astronomers tracked because of cycle, AND results persist.

  model Compound-complex. ICs: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus carefully' AND 'their records remain accurate today.' DC: 'because the planet's cycle was central to their calendar.' Two ICs joined by 'and'; one DC introduced by 'because.'

  prompt Classify and explain: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus carefully because the planet's cycle was central to their calendar, and their records remain accurate today.'
• Sentence type IS meaning-making. Compound-complex is the highest-flexibility type.

  model COMPOUND: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus, and they recorded its 584-day cycle.' COMPLEX: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus because its 584-day cycle was central to their calendar.' COMPOUND-COMPLEX: 'Because the 584-day cycle was central to their calendar, Maya astronomers tracked Venus, and they recorded their findings.' Each version signals a different relationship.

  prompt Take 3 simple sentences and combine them deliberately: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus. The cycle was 584 days. The Maya recorded it.' Combine into compound, then complex, then compound-complex.
• Comma splice is the most common error when students THINK they're writing compound sentences. Real compound = comma+FANBOYS or semicolon.

  model Comma splice — two ICs joined by ONLY a comma. Fix: add 'and' OR change comma to semicolon OR break into two sentences.

  prompt Spot the COMMA SPLICE error: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus, they recorded its cycle.' Why is this not a real compound sentence?

• Pair-share: write one of each of the 4 types about your research topic.
• Cold Call: what are the FANBOYS?
• Thumbs: I can identify all 4 types (up) / I need re-explanation on compound-complex (down)

M-7-F-GR-13-A Chart

MG-18 diagram: 4-band card with structural visualization for each type. Color-coded IC (blue) vs. DC (green). Worked examples per type. Bottom rule: 'Choose deliberately. Simple = focus. Compound = balance. Complex = subordinate. Compound-complex = layered.' Print-ready 11x17.

MG-18 Chart

Four sentence types diagram (CCSS L.7.1.b): 4-band card with structural visualization. SIMPLE: 1 independent clause = 1 focused idea. Diagram: [IC]. Example: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus.' COMPOUND: 2 independent clauses joined by comma+coordinating conjunction OR semicolon = 2 coordinate ideas. Diagram: [IC] , and [IC]. Example: 'Maya astronomers tracked Venus, and they recorded its 584-day cycle.' COMPLEX: 1 independent + 1+ dependent clause = main idea with subordinate detail. Diagram: [DC], [IC] OR [IC] [DC]. Example: 'Because Venus appeared as both morning and evening star, the Maya tracked it carefully.' COMPOUND-COMPLEX: 2+ independent + 1+ dependent clause = layered relationship. Diagram: [DC], [IC], and [IC]. Example: 'Because Venus appeared as both morning and evening star, the Maya tracked it carefully, and their records spanned centuries.' Bottom rule: 'Choose deliberately. Simple = focus. Compound = balance. Complex = subordinate. Compound-complex = layered.' Print-ready 11x17.

• Sort 24-card deck into 4 piles by sentence type. Defend tricky cards.

  scaffold MG-18 diagram; color-coded IC/DC visual cards
• Sentence-combining drill: given 3 simple sentences, produce 1 compound, 1 complex, and 1 compound-complex version. Compare meaning.

  scaffold Drill template with 3 simple-source slots and 3 type-target slots

• Write one of each sentence type about your research topic (4 sentences total). Label each.

• Restate: simple/compound/complex/compound-complex. Choose deliberately.
• Preview: misplaced/dangling modifiers

• Audit your draft. Count sentences of each type. Flag any paragraph dominated by one type. Bring tomorrow.