Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses · of non-defining relative clauses 1. Watch a PowerPoint presentation about non-defining relative clauses. After learning defining relative

Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses

Level:

Secondary 2

Subject: English Grammar

Textbook: Oxford English e-Textbook 2B Unit 6 &

Success in Grammar e-Book 2 Unit 6

Theme: Defining and Non-defining Relative Clauses

Number and length of lessons: Five 40-minute lessons

Introduction

Grammar teaching is one of the main components of the school English curriculum in many Chinese-

medium schools in Macau. During the Covid-19 Epidemic, teachers and students interact through

eLearning.

In this teaching scheme, grammar instruction focuses on defining and non-defining relative clauses.

The learning activities include PowerPoint illustration, gap filling, combining sentences and writing

practice on eLearning platforms.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will be able to

1. recognize the 4 most common relative pronouns(who, which, that, whose) and their applications.

2. learn what relative clauses are.

3. use the relative pronouns appropriately in the gap-filling exercise.

4. tell the differences between defining and non-defining relative clauses.

5. avoid common errors when using Relative Pronouns.

Previous knowledge

Students learnt relative pronouns in Secondary 1.

Teaching Aids

Video, PPT, computer, Powerlesson 2, eBook, iSolution App, Grammar App

Lesson &

Date

Task / Activities/ Steps

1st

16/03/2020

4 most

common

relative

pronouns(w

ho, which,

that, whose)

and their

applications

1. Students learnt relative pronouns in Secondary 1. To recall their memories, they are

asked to watch a video about relative pronouns.

2. By reading the notes from the PowerPoint, students can better understand the usage

of Relative Pronouns.

3. Three more practices for consolidation. The first one, being the easiest one, is to fill

in the correct relative pronouns.

4. With the basic idea of how to use relative pronouns, students are asked to combine

sentences with correct relative pronouns.

**Teachers have provided some hints for students to finish the exercises in advance.

5. The last exercise, which requires students to fill in the correct relative pronouns in a

text, helps them to learn the target relative pronouns in context.

With the help of PowerLesson, students can get instant feedbacks after submitting their

answers. Also, they can seek help from their teachers for further explanation promptly.

Therefore, students can have better foundation and more confidence before going to the

following sections.

2nd

18/03/2020

The

application

of defining

relative

clauses

1. Students watch a PowerPoint presentation about defining relative clauses with clear

rules and conclusive charts.

2. Students are asked to match the provided defining clauses with the main clauses

according to their meaning. This activity serves as an alternative approach to check

students’ accuracy in using the correct relative pronouns, and at the same time, get

familiar with the formation of complex sentences with relative clauses.

3. The Simple Quiz, which includes three multiple-choice questions, further requires

students’ comprehensive skills in defining relative clauses so as to rule out the mistakes

in the options.

4. The “O”/ “K” check exercise aims to check whether students can recognize the objects

which will be replaced with relative pronouns in the defining relative clauses. These

relative pronouns can be omitted (marked with “O”). But if the relative pronouns serve

as the subjects in the defining relative clauses, they have to be kept in the

sentences.(marked with “K”)

5. With the above drilling exercises, students are asked to work out five complex

sentences with defining relative clauses. This writing exercise is to help students achieve

proficiency in producing defining relative clauses by themselves.

6. The last section is to give students a clearer explanation for the Simple Quiz in section

3 through a PowerPoint presentation, in which the teacher explains the grammatical

mistakes and how to rule out the inappropriate options.

3rd

19/03/2020

The

application

of non-

defining

relative

clauses

1. Watch a PowerPoint presentation about non-defining relative clauses. After learning

defining relative clauses from the previous lesson, students might have a better

understanding of this topic and a further consolidation about the rules of using relative

clauses.

2. As this is the fourth day of learning this topic, students have already completed a set

of scaffolding drilling exercises. Therefore, students are required to make complex

sentences and they are able to make a difference between defining and non-defining

relative clauses.

3. Students are then given an activity to help them distinguish between defining and non-

defining relative clauses.

4th

20/03/2020

Consolidati

on of the 4

relative

pronouns

To consolidate what students have learnt, they are asked to do three exercises about

relative pronouns, defining relative clauses and non-defining clauses on Oxford iSolution

Grammar App.

1. Exercise about relative pronouns.

2. Exercise about defining relative clauses.

3. Exercise about non-defining relative clauses.

**Oxford iSolution App provides various kinds of exercises, which include multiple

choices, rearrange sentences and rewrite sentences, to help students to practice.

5th

20/03/2020

Wrap-up

activity

To further consolidate what students have learnt, they are given two wrap-up activities

on Powerlesson 2.

1. Rewrite sentences. Students can practice using non-defining relative clauses in

context.

2. Writing task. Students are asked to write a short paragraph in about 50 words to

tell their self-learning experience. Of course, they need to apply what they have

learnt by writing at least ONE defining relative clause and ONE non-defining

relative clause in the paragraph.