Lines from popular songs are used to teach middle schoolers about conditional and subjunctive moods. Groups engage in a card sort activity to identify conditional and subjective sentences and then partners draft sentences of each type. To conclude, teams write their own song with conditional and subjunctive lyrics.

Concepts

subjunctive mood, conditional statements, argumentative writing

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Instructional Ideas

• Ask class members to bring in examples from songs that demonstrate conditional and subjunctive lyrics
• Encourage groups to perform their song for the class
• Print the sorting cards on card stock and laminate to permit reuse

Classroom Considerations

• Requires copies, internet equipment with sound for the song, and projection equipment for the slideshow

Pros

• Handouts are presented as editable documents
• Links are provided to the learning strategies used in the lesson

Cons

• None

Common Core

W.8.5