Auditory learners respond best to a traditional, lecture-based class environment. They appreciate a teacher's explanation of how coordinating conjunctions follow a comma and connect two independent clauses to make a compound sentence. Likewise, teachers may explain that some of the coordinating conjunctions are used mainly for comparing two ideas, while others are used mainly for showing contrast.Auditory learners may read and complete worksheets that ask them to combine sentences using coordinating conjunctions. Alternatively, they may pair up with classmates for a directed dialogue. The directed dialogue begins by students randomly selecting a starter sentence from a container. One student must say this sentence aloud to begin the dialogue. The students then must continue the dialogue for at least 10 lines, and they must start each line with a coordinating conjunction. They should transcribe the dialogue as they go and turn the transcriptions in to the teacher for evaluation.
Visual learners respond well to videos, posters and live demonstrations. To teach conjunctions to visual learners, consider screening the School House Rock classic video "Conjunction Junction," which is available online. (see Resources) The musical element of the video will also appeal to auditory learners. Additional activities for visual learners include having student groups create posters or presentations that demonstrate the functions of conjunctions.
Kinesthetic learners succeed when they actively experience new things. They gain valuable knowledge as a result of their experience. Language arts teachers can help kinesthetic learners experience conjunctions by developing a class-wide game. The game could be simple and follow the format of Jeopardy, in that students choose different levels of questions and then must attempt to answer them for a certain amount of points. Teachers could award age-appropriate prizes like sticker books or art supplies to the winner. Kinesthetic learners would become engaged in the process of winning the game, and, since knowledge of coordinating conjunction is needed to win, they would learn about these, as well. Additionally, kinesthetic learners can be asked to tutor younger students. Preparing to teach something to younger kids would force kinesthetic learners to become actively involved with the subject matter.
Tactile learners respond best to hands-on activities that involve physically creating something. Tactile learners may be best suited to study coordinating conjunctions by working with cards that they can touch and manipulate. Tactile learners can use word cards to make sentences that appropriately use coordinating conjunctions.