Teaching Strategies, Tactics, and Methods

What are Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences?

What Are Simple, Compound, and Complex Sentences?

simple sentence uses just one clause, whereas a compound sentence uses two or more independent clauses. A complex sentence features at least a single independent clause and at least one dependent clause.

These can be combined into other sentence types, such as the compound-complex sentence. Find more information about this kind of sentence below.

A group of words with no independent clauses might be an incomplete sentence – often called a sentence fragment.

What Is A Sentence?

A sentence is defined as a group of one or more words. They begin with capital letters and finish with a punctuation mark – a complete stop, question mark, or exclamation mark.

Simple Sentence Examples

A simple sentence includes a subject and just one verb.

‘The boy ran away from the dog.”

“The dog barked.”

Compound Sentence Examples

A compound sentence joins two main clauses and a connective. The clauses are linked by connectives, such as ‘but,’ ‘so,’ and ‘and.’

“I like football, and I like rugby.”

“Paul can be loud, but he is funny sometimes.”

Complex Sentence Examples

A complex sentence is made when the main and subordinate clauses are joined with a connective. Subordinate clauses depend upon the main clause to make sense. A famous complex sentence example from literature is ‘The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although they could not sleep.’ (From The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum).

“I enjoy steamed vegetables, although my mother prefers roasted.”

“You need to practice your guitar if you want to be in a successful band.”

How to write complex sentences (examples provided)

Complex sentences can help present ideas that need layers of information and details. To understand complex sentences, it’s helpful to first look at simple and compound sentences. To know how to write a complex sentence, students will need to learn the different components of a complex sentence, including the main clause, connective and subordinate clause.

  • Main clause: This is the primary message of a sentence; the main clause must make grammatical sense independently.
  • Connectives: Connectives are joining words that children will be taught to use to connect phrases and clauses and improve the flow of their writing.
  • Subordinate clauses: A subordinate clause usually begins with a subordinate conjunction. This part of the sentence follows a connective to add additional information.

Once you understand these components, you can start building your complex sentence examples using this formula:

Complex sentence = main clause + connective + subordinate clause

What is the Difference between Compound and Complex Sentences?

Let’s review their respective definitions to understand the difference between compound and complex sentences fully.

Compound Sentence: a compound sentence contains one independent clause and either one or more dependent clauses.

Complex sentence; a complex sentence contains multiple independent clauses but no dependent clause.

Characteristics of Compound and Complex Sentences

Now that we’re familiar with each of their definitions, let’s have a look at the key characteristics that show the difference between compound and complex sentences:

  • Independent Clauses

On the one hand, a compound sentence always contains more than one independent clause. On the other hand, however, complex sentences only ever have one independent clause.

  • Dependent Clauses

You will not find any dependent clauses in a compound sentence whatsoever. However, contrastingly, a complex sentence will always have at least one dependent clause.

  • Conjunction

A compound sentence joins the two clauses together by a coordinating conjunction. Alternatively, a complex sentence joins the two clauses together by a subordinating conjunction.

Quick vocab check:

Coordinating conjunction: coordinating conjunction is placed between words, phrases, clauses, or sentences of equal rank.

Subordinating conjunction: a subordinating conjunction is placed at the beginning of a subordinate clause. A subordinate clause forms part of and depends on the sentence’s main clause.

  • Beginning of the sentence

You cannot use a coordinating conjunction at the beginning of a compound sentence. However, a subordinating conjunction can e used at the beginning of a complex sentence.

What Is a Compound-Complex Sentence?

We know the difference between compound and complex sentences, but is it possible to combine them? The simple answer is yes! You can technically combine a compound and a complex sentence to make a compound-complex sentence.

A compound-complex sentence is defined as one that contains a minimum of three clauses. These clauses must include the following:

  • two independent clauses
  • one or more dependent clauses

This will result in three subjects and verbs within the compound-complex sentence.

Within a compound sentence, two or more independent clauses are joined together by coordinating conjunctions like ‘for, and, but, or, yet, and so.’ Alternatively, the independent clauses can be combined using a conjunctive adverb like ‘however.’ On the other hand, a complex sentence contains just one independent clause and at least one subordinate clause that will modify the main subject or verb of the sentence.

Compound-complex sentences are joined together using a coordinating conjunction, just like in a regular compound sentence. The comma should be placed straight after the coordinating conjunction.

Examples of Compound-Complex Sentences

  • There were lots of people queueing to get into the park, so I used the secret side entrance and met Jenny for our picnic on time.
  • The beautiful sunflowers were beginning to wilt, but Jeremiah wasn’t worried because he knew they would bloom again next year.
  • Since Aisling is allergic to wheat, she couldn’t have any bread rolls, but she was happy to eat the delicious leek and potato soup.

How to Write a Compound-Complex Sentence

So, you know a compound-complex sentence, but how do you write one? Let’s break it down into a few simple steps.

When it comes to writing a compound-complex sentence, the structure is vital. If you neglect the structure of your compound-complex sentence, you can run into issues like sentence fragments and running sentences.

Here are a few simple steps you can follow to create an effective, well-thought-out, perfectly structured compound-complex sentence:

  • Identify your main clauses

Compound-complex sentences are always split up into two independent clauses. Each of these clauses will contain a subject and a verb phrase, which allows them to stand alone (hence the name ‘independent’). So the first step in creating your compound-complex sentence is choosing what you want your two independent clauses to be.

  • Identify your dependent clause

Attaching a dependent clause to your sentence transforms it from a compound sentence to a compound-complex one, so this step is crucial. Furthermore, your dependent clause has the power to modify the meaning or the tone of your independent clause, meaning it must be selected very carefully.

  • Conjunctions at the ready

As previously mentioned, the clauses in a compound-complex sentence are joined together using a coordinating conjunction. There are many coordinating conjunctions to choose from, so you can browse through them to find the one that best fits your sentence.

  • Last stop, punctuation!

The final step in completing the perfect compound-complex sentence is adding your punctuation. Typically a comma will be placed in front of the coordinating conjunction in your sentence. Moreover, if your sentence begins with a dependent clause, this should be followed immediately by a comma.

What is a Subordinating Conjunction?

Subordinating Conjunction

Subordinating conjunctions (a word or a phrase) introduce a subordinating clause, such as ‘although‘ or ‘because.’ They link a dependent clause to an independent clause.

What are conjunctions?

A conjunction is a word that joins sentences, clauses, or other singular words together. It’s a type of connective (a term for any word that connects bits of text). In this case, conjunctions link two parts of a sentence together.

At this point, you might be wondering why we need conjunctions. They play a significant role by allowing us to form longer, more complex sentences that clearly express our ideas. Otherwise, we’d be limited to simple sentences made up of a single clause. For example:

“I like playing tennis. I like walking.”

“I like playing tennis, and I like walking.”

What are subordinating conjunctions?

Subordinating conjunctions include words like although and because. Take a look at this table to see how subordinating conjunctions can join the independent and subordinate clause

Independent/ Main clause Subordinating clause Subordinate clause
Sam wasn’t allowed in the car anymore Because he told James he wouldn’t wear a seat belt.
The teacher reads to their students When They have English reading lessons.

Now that we know a bit about this type of conjunction, let’s read on and take a quick look at another kind while we answer an essential question: ‘is ‘but’ a subordinating conjunction?’.

Is ‘but’ a subordinating conjunction?

Now that we have pretty good knowledge about these conjunctions, you may wonder if ‘is ‘but’ a subordinating conjunction?’.

The word ‘but’ is a coordinating conjunction. This is another type of conjunction with a critical difference; unlike subordinating conjunctions, where a dependent clause is linked to an independent one, a coordinating conjunction is where two clauses of equal rank are connected. For example:

  • ‘I’d like a slice of that cake, but I’m on a diet
  • ‘I left home late this morning, but luckily I still caught the bus.’
  • ‘I like pears, but I’m not too fond of apples’

In each example, ‘but’ links two clauses of equal value to the reader. So now that we know the answer to ‘is ‘but’ a subordinating conjunction?’, let’s move on and look at some more examples.

What are the 12 subordinating conjunctions?

Your students will learn 17 common subordinating conjunctions in primary education. These include

  1. After
  2. Although
  3. As
  4. Because
  5. Before
  6. How
  7. Once
  8. Since
  9. That
  10. Where
  11. Whether
  12. While.

What are subordinating conjunction examples in sentences?

Perhaps the most common subordinating example is the word ‘because.’ For example, the sentence ‘Because her shoes were too tight is incomplete. On its own, a clause beginning with ‘because’ is incomplete.

To fix this, we need more information in the form of an independent clause for the sentence to make sense. Join us in improving this confusing and incomplete sentence. By adding the independent clause, ‘Samantha’s feet had been hurting all day, and the subordinate conjunction, we can create a much better sentence. Let’s combine the two clauses to create ‘Samantha’s feet had been hurting all day because her shoes were too tight.

Here are five more examples of subordinating conjunctions with their uses in a sentence.

  • After
  • Before
  • Though
  • Unless
  • While
  1. After finishing his dinner, James went to ride his bike.
  2. This is the main clause before this subordinating clause.
  3. It’s sunny outside today, though it might rain later.
  4. Unless it rains, we’ll picnic by the river tomorrow.
  5. Jonah likes rock music, while his sister likes pop ballads.

When will children learn about subordinating conjunctions?

Children will learn about different types of conjunctions during primary school English lessons. They’ll no doubt have plenty of questions to ask, from ‘what is a conjunction?’ to ‘is ‘but’ a subordinating conjunction?’. Luckily, there are also loads of handy methods for teaching conjunctions.

The mnemonic device ‘I SAW A WABUB’ is excellent for teaching children subordinate conjunctions and helping them to remember the main ones. It stands for:

  • If
  • Since
  • As
  • When
  • Although
  • While
  • After
  • Before
  • Until
  • Because

Teaching Students About the Equator

Equator

The Earth’s Equator is the imaginary line that runs around the globe’s center at 0 degrees latitude, at an equal distance between the North and South Poles. Like the other lines of latitude, it’s based on the Earth’s axis of rotation and its orbit around the sun. It is the longest of Earth’s five circles of latitude, the others being polar and tropical circles. This is because of how the Earth bulges around its center.

The Equator is just under 25,000 miles long, wrapping around the entire Earth. The Equator divides the Earth into northern and southern hemispheres, with both experiencing different amounts of daylight at other times. This weather, climate, and the seasons we experience result from the Earth’s tilt on its axis and its orbit around the sun. The northern and southern hemispheres are either turned toward or away from the sun depending on the Earth’s position while it’s orbiting the sun.

When the Sun is directly above the Earth’s Equator, sunlight shines perpendicular to the Earth’s axis, and all latitudes have a 12-hour day and 12-hour night. The Sun passes directly over the equator twice a year, on the March and September equinoxes.

Countries Near the Equator and Their Weather

Why is it So Hot Near the Equator?

On and near the equator, sunlight comes from almost directly above every day all year round; the equator, therefore, has a stable daytime temperature the whole year. In addition, due to the Earth’s natural bulge where the equator is located, the equator is closer to the Sun than any other place; this also results in higher temperatures all year round.

Countries on the equator experience the shortest sunrises and sunsets as the Sun’s daily path is perpendicular to the horizon. In countries on or near the equator, the sunrise and sunset take only minutes.

What Countries Does The Equator Pass Through?

The equator passes through 11 countries:

  • Indonesia
  • Gabon
  • São Tomé and Príncipe
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Uganda
  • Kenya
  • Somalia
  • Ecuador
  • Colombia
  • Brazil

Countries, The Equator, and Weather

What Type of Weather do They Have in Countries Near the Equator?

Countries on or near the equator don’t experience the same weather. While the temperatures remain high, some countries experience wet and dry seasons. Countries on or near the equator have high temperatures all year round due to Earth’s axis tilt. The average temperature in these countries is around 31 degrees Celsius.

There is very little temperature change. However, certain types of weather do change. For example, countries on or near the equator experience changes in humidity and rainfall. At one point on the equator, you’ll find snow. This is on the high slopes of Volcan Cayambe in Ecuador. This high humidity means that places on the equator are not the hottest in the world, despite being closest to the sun. This is because the water in the air cools the temperature.

Do Countries Near the Equator Have Seasons?

Countries near the equator don’t experience the four seasons like other places on Earth. As a result, countries on or near have the same amount of daylight and darkness throughout the year.

Generally, there are two seasons in equatorial countries, wet and dry. The wet season lasts most of the year. Along with the warmth, this creates tropical rainforests.

Lowland countries near the equator have a tropical rainforest climate. Depending on their distance from colder oceans, some countries near the equator have tropical monsoon climates.

Due to its hot, wet weather and climate, almost half of the world’s rainforests are located on the equator. These rainforests are located in Brazil, Congo, and Indonesia. Because of the equatorial countries’ weather and climate, many plant and animal species also thrive here. As a result, it’s a place of rich biodiversity.

While other countries experience changing daylight hours during the different seasons, the 12-hour day and night never vary in length in the countries on or near the equator.

If you live on or near the equator, you’ll experience the shortest sunrise and sunset in the world, as they take only minutes.

Facts About The Equator

  • The name ‘equator’ comes from the Latin word ‘equator’ meaning ‘circle equalizing day and night
  • The highest point on the equator is Volcan Cayambe in Ecuador, at 4,690 meters.
  • Since it is located at the point where the Earth bulges its center, the gravitational pull is weaker as the distance from the center of the Earth is greater. This makes places on the equator ideal places for space launches.
  • Space launching locations near the equator include the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Maldives, Shaba North, and Gan Island.
  • Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, is located close to the equator and experiences cool, dry weather and even has glaciers. This is because of its height.
  • Sailors have many rituals and celebrations for crossing the Equator. This is known as ‘crossing the line. Pollywog is often a name given to a sailor who has never crossed the Equator.

Teaching Students About Farm Animals

Farm Animals

Farm animals are raised on farms for their meat and dairy products or to help out the farmers.

What are farm animals for kids?

Farm animals are animals that are raised and kept for agricultural purposes. They include cows, chickens, pigs, geese, and more.

Kids love farm animals – they’re a staple part of primary school learning, especially in younger kids, and seem to have transfixed children for generations.

It’s important to teach about farm animals for kids and how farms work for various reasons. For one, kids must know and understand where their food comes from. This can help kids appreciate their meals more, understand how it ends up on their plate, and have some awareness of the issues surrounding this – food doesn’t (all) grow on trees!

Teaching farm animals to kids is also a good way of introducing kids to wildlife and explaining that animals all require different types of care and have different needs. This is particularly the case when it comes to food, shelter, and care – you have to be patient and observant when dealing with animals and their needs, which is an important quality to encourage in children.

Helping kids understand the processes of where food comes from encourages them to be less wasteful and appreciate that food doesn’t all just come from shops and supermarkets. This level of understanding is beneficial and promotes a more significant curiosity for various foods.

Teaching farm animals to kids is also an excellent opportunity to teach kids about the importance of nature and weather since farming is affected by this every day, and farmers have to work with and around nature to make ends meet. Rain, temperatures, wind, and other elements are all hugely important in farming, and working with nature is vital.

Farms are also great for teaching about safety and being aware of your surroundings. Many animals and equipment exist, so farms can be potentially risky environments if not treated with respect. This is an excellent opportunity to help teach your kids to follow essential rules and keep their wits about them, behaving responsibly and maturely, as there’s no room for messing about on a farm.

Farms and farm animals can also teach kids about the circle of life regularly encountered on farms.

There’s also a considerable benefit in teaching young kids about farms, as it can aid their learning and development in plenty of ways. For example, when we’re teaching about farms, animals, and the noises they make, we’re also helping kids learn and master their language, phonics, and ability to remember names and associate them with correct animals.

Here, we’ll discuss some of the main farm animals and their features.

Cows

Cows are a favorite of many kids. They live on farms and provide us with milk to make dairy products like cheese, butter, yogurt, and ice cream! Cows might also be kept for their beef. Nowadays, farmers tend to keep dairy or beef cattle rather than use the same cows for both. Female cows are the ones that give milk, male cows are called bulls, and baby cows are called calves.

Horses

Horses also live on the farm and help the farmer with their day-to-day work. For example, horses can pull trailers, wagons, and plows. People also ride horses, and they can travel great distances. A male horse is called a stallion, and a female horse is called a mare.

Goats

Goats are also commonly found on farms. They can be milked like cows, and their milk can be used to make cheese, butter, yogurt, and even soap. A baby goat is cutely called a kid. They were one of the first animals to be tamed by humans, and historians think they were being herded over 9,000 years ago!

Chickens

Chickens are kept either for their meat or to lay eggs. Female chickens lay eggs. They are known as hens. They tend to lay 1-2 eggs each day. A male chicken is called a rooster – they’re responsible for the early morning “Cock-a-doodle-do”, one of the many fun noises kids will learn about from farms. Baby chickens are called chicks. It’s thought that they were domesticated in China around 8,000 years ago.

Pigs

Pigs are reared on farms for their meat – we get pork, bacon, and sausages from pigs. Pigs live in a peng, which is referred to as a sty. They’re often seen rolling around in the mud because it helps them keep cool as they can’t sweat like other animals. While many people see pigs as slow and lazy animals, they’re pretty quick and can run at speeds of up to 11mph, not bad! Female pigs are called sows, male pigs are called boars, and baby pigs are called piglets.

 

Geese

You might also find geese on a farm – female geese lay eggs like chickens. Male geese are called ganders, and baby geese are called goslings. On land or in water, a group of geese is called a gaggle. When they’re in the air, they’re called skeins. A mother goose will have around 4-5 goslings at a time.

Teaching Students About Presidents Day

What is Presidents Day 2023?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday honoring the presidents of the United States, both past and present. Celebrated as an official state holiday in the majority of the United States, Presidents Day originated as a day of commemoration for the first president, George Washington. However, in the 20th century, the event became a day of recognition for all presidents of the United States, including the current 46th president of the United States, Joe Biden.

When is Presidents Day 2023?

Presidents Day is held on the third Monday in February. In 2023, the event falls on Monday, February 20th.

What is the history of Presidents Day?

Presidents Day originated in 1879 as a day to honor President George Washington in the district of Washington, D.C. In 1885, this event expanded across the country, with all federal offices recognizing the holiday. Nearly 100 years later, in 1951, the Presidents Day National Committee was formed to choose a day of commemoration for all presidents. Initially, the date of March 4 was selected, as this was the date of the first presidential inauguration. However, the committee later settled on a date in February to be closer to George Washington’s birthday. Finally, in 1971, it was decided that the holiday would take place on the third Monday in February, and the holiday has been celebrated that way ever since.

What happens on Presidents Day?

Presidents Day is a federal holiday, meaning that public services such as the U.S. Postal Service will close, as well as schools and some public offices. Nevertheless, communities come together to celebrate with parades across the country. Some cities like Alexandra, Virginia (George Washington’s home city) even host month-long celebrations. Other locations hold festivals and special events like the annual “GeorgeFest” in Eustis, Florida. Many stores and businesses also offer memorable Presidents Day discounts to customers on this holiday. And we can’t forget the most delicious part of this day – the cherry pie! Cherry pie is traditionally eaten every Presidents Day due to the legendary story of George Washington chopping down a cherry tree.

How can I teach Presidents Day to my class?

Teaching your class about Presidents Day can be an opportunity to dive deeper into American history and learn about the pioneering presidents that have shaped the United States. Below are some top tips we highly recommend:

  • Explore the history of Presidents Day with your class, starting with learning about the first-ever president, George Washington.
  • Assign each student a different president, then ask them to complete a home learning project about them.
  • Have your class write a letter to the president explaining what changes they want to see.
  • Stage a mock election and choose a class president to oversee your day!
  • Our favorite tip? Why not have a cherry pie tasting with your class? It would make a delicious twist on the holiday fun!

Teaching Students About Whole Numbers

What is a Whole Number?

A whole number is a positive number that does not contain a fractional or decimal part. This means that, for example, the numbers 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 are whole numbers.

Numbers such as -3, 2.7, or 3 ½ are not whole numbers.

How can I tell if a number is a whole number?

There are 3 main factors to take into account when working out whether or not a number is a whole number:

  1. A whole number has to be positive, not a negative number, also known as a minus number. This means it has to be of a value of 0 or higher. For example, 0, 1, 2, and 3 are all whole numbers. However, -1, -2, and -3 are not.
  2. A whole number cannot include any fractional element. That means that numbers 1 ½, 3 ¼, and 7 ⅚ are not whole numbers, but 1, 3, and 7 are.
  3. A whole number cannot include any decimal element. This means that numbers such as 3.4, 7.9, and 11.234 are not whole numbers, but 3, 7, and 11 are.

As long as a number meets these criteria, a whole number can be any number from 0 to however high you (or anyone else) can count!

What are counting numbers?

Counting numbers are whole numbers that are used to count things. These could be 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. They’re a type of number you can use to say how much you have counted off something. They are any positive number. However, you cannot have negative counting numbers. This is because you can’t have minus 1 or 2 or any other negative number of something. This also doesn’t include fractions or decimals. So counting numbers can only ever be whole numbers. See if you can count some objects and find out which counting number you get.

Regarding counting numbers, there’s been some debate around whether the number zero is classed as a counting number. While you can’t have a negative amount of something, you can have none. Which would be a zero amount of whatever you’re counting. For this reason, some think zero should be classed as a counting number. However, there is no specific rule declaring that zero isn’t a counting number, but it depends on each person individually. So what do you think about zero? It could be a class discussion to decide if zero is a counting number.

Rounding to the Nearest Whole Number

In year 4, students must learn how to round to the nearest whole number. This means finding the whole number that is most similar in value to a given non-whole number.

Here are some examples:

  • The nearest whole number to 3.2 is 3
  • The nearest whole number to 5.7 is 4
  • The nearest whole number to 2 ¼ is 2
  • The nearest whole number to 8 ⅚ is 9

This can get tricky with numbers such as 2.5 or 4 ½ because they are strictly between two whole numbers. In this case, either of the two nearest whole numbers is acceptable, but rounding up rather than down is generally the best practice.

Visual Aids to Explain Whole Numbers

When explaining the difference between whole numbers and non-whole numbers, visual aids such as counters and shapes can be helpful.

For example, you can show a whole counter representing a whole number and a part of a counter showing non-whole numbers.

You could also do this with money. Try using whole pounds to represent whole numbers and pence to represent decimal values between whole numbers. For example, £3 would represent a whole number, whereas £3.20, for instance, would represent a non-whole number.

A number line can also be a helpful tool.

Teaching Students About Plants that Live in the Desert

Over a fifth of the Earth’s surface is covered in desert landscapes. Deserts are places that receive less than 25 centimeters of rain per year. Contrary to popular belief, deserts are not always hot. For example, though the Sahara Desert in Africa reaches up to 122 degrees Fahrenheit daily, mountainous and polar landscapes can be deserted too. An area is classified as a desert depending on how dry it is, not its temperature.

Water is essential to sustaining life. Going without water for long periods is challenging. Therefore, the plants and animals that inhabit desert landscapes must be well-adapted to survive.

Many plants in the desert have to go without water for years because rainfall is so sporadic. Some plants have long roots that go a long way into the soil to find water. These roots are called ‘tap roots.’ Other plants find clever ways of storing the water in their leaves or stems to ensure it lasts them a long time – these plants are called succulents.

As a way of reducing water loss via transpiration, many desert plants have also evolved to have tiny leaves. In addition, the color of a leaf can help reflect the sun’s heat. For example, like dune plants, plants with silvery leaves absorb less heat than plants with darker leaves. Other plants have tiny hairs on their leaves to prevent further water loss.

Some plants that live in the desert can live for hundreds of years. For example, a Joshua Tree in California is over 1,000 years old. However, if the temperature increases (as it may be due to global warming), Joshua Trees will be in danger of becoming extinct. This wouldn’t just be a tragedy for the plant species and endanger many animals.

With water sources being so few and far between, animals rely on plants for crucial life cycle stages. Some animals will drink or eat plants to get hydrated, while others have more unusual relationships with desert flora. Yucca moths, for example, lay eggs in the flower of the Joshua tree. Without a Joshua tree, there will be no eggs.

Types of plants that live in the desert:

  • Prickly Pear Cacti
  • Tumbleweed
  • Saguaro Cactus
  • Mexican Poppies
  • Weathered Trees
  • Wildflowers
  • Orange Trees
  • Ficus
  • Bismarck Palmetto
  • Pindo Palm

What is a tumbleweed?

You may have seen them in cartoons or westerns without much of an idea of what they are. Tumbleweeds are a group of different plant species that grow in arid, dry, and hot conditions like deserts. They vary from very small to quite large, sometimes as big as a person! Tumbleweeds can be found in the USA, Australia, and Africa.

They start being attached to the ground through roots and stems, but thanks to the wind, they get detached and blow whether the wind takes them. Rolling around is also a way for tumbleweeds to disperse their seeds far and wide.

While tumbleweeds can be fun to look at, they can damage some environments. They’re an invasive species, meaning they take over and dominate other plant life in environments they weren’t growing. Because of their dry nature, tumbleweeds are also highly flammable, which means they’re a significant risk for bushfires.

Close-Up on Cacti:

Cactuses are incredibly hardy plants. Over millions of years, they’ve evolved to be able to survive in the extreme conditions of a desert landscape. They can stay with very little water for a long time by storing moisture in their roots, leaves, and stems. However, there’s a general misconception that killing a cactus is almost impossible. Cactuses are very good at surviving in a desert landscape. However, their ability to stay in a harsh climate does not necessarily make them adept at surviving in a bedroom or on a kitchen windowsill. They don’t do well in low light or with excessively damp roots. Though low maintenance, they’re only low maintenance in the right conditions.

Cacti need a lot of light. If they lose their color and become pale, you’ll need to move them somewhere where there’s more light. It’s a good idea to keep them near a window with a lot of sunlight.

People also tend to be too attentive to Cacti. Generally, they’ll only need watering once a month. Put them near a window and then leave them alone.

Cacti are prickly plants. The best way to pick them up is to wrap them in something, like a rolled-up newspaper, and then wear thick gloves. If you do get skewered by a spike, remove it with a pair of tweezers.

What are the best conditions for a cactus habitat?

There are four elements to making the best conditions for a cactus habitat. These are the soil, water, light, and temperature.

While there isn’t a specific type of soil needed for a cactus, there are particular characteristics that the soil should have. The ideal soil is fast-draining or sandy, much like the natural cactus habitat of the desert. Of course, you can include sand and peat moss into your soil to make it better for the cactus, but any soil that drains fast and doesn’t get too clumpy should be good.

The right level of moisture is crucial in cactus maintenance. Over-watering is one of the reasons cactuses don’t survive in households. Usually, you want to water your cactus once a month and ensure the soil is completely dry before watering them again. They made need a bit more water during spring and summer as they are the growing seasons.

When you think of a cactus, you probably think of a large, hot desert. While this may seem like harsh habitat, it shows what cactuses need to survive: light. Without sufficient light, a cactus will not thrive in its habitat.

Temperature is also essential for a cactus. The best temperature for a cactus in spring and summer is between 18 and 32 degrees Celsius. However, when it gets to Autumn and Winter, ideal temperatures are between 7 and 12 degrees Celsius.

Why do cacti have spines?

First of all, not all cacti do have spines. For example, forest cacti do not have spines, but most cacti in the desert do. Their prickly surface protects their water supply from animals that might eat them for hydration. Some desert plans also contain toxins as another method of protection.

Desert Plants Information: 10 Fun Facts

  1. According to evolutionary biologists, Pereskia cacti were the first plants to store water over 20 million years ago.
  2. The mesquite tree has roots longer than any other desert plant and can reach a length of 24 meters.
  3. Desert plants typically have long roots to reach water or are very good at storing water.
  4. Aloe vera is a semi-tropical plant that thrives in desert conditions. It also produces a gel that is popular for treating skin conditions and burns.
  5. While you may think desert plants aren’t that colorful, many produce flowers. These include the desert lupine, twist flower, and larkspur.
  6. The desert marigold, another type of flower, is highly poisonous.
  7. Small cacti are popular plants in the home because they’re low maintenance.
  8. As well as flowers, some desert plants produce fruits too.
  9. The fruits of the saguaro plant are edible and have a mild sweet taste. The seeds give it a nutty flavor.
  10. Some seeds of desert plants can remain dormant in the ground until there is enough moisture to sprout and grow.

How does a knowledge of plants that live in deserts fit into the national curriculum?

In Year Five, children will have to consider the life cycles of plants and animals in their local environment and compare them with the life cycles of plants and animals worldwide. They’ll be asked to consider flora and fauna living and growing in the rainforest, in the oceans, in desert areas, and in prehistoric times.

A good understanding of the kind of plants and animals that inhabit different environments will be a tremendous asset to their primary school studies. In addition, having a solid foundational knowledge of the factors that can affect a plant’s chances of survival will help them assess their suitability to a particular environment.

A great way of learning about the effects of the environment on growth is to compare cuttings. Place cuttings from the same plant in different parts of the classroom – some dark areas, some lighter areas, areas that will be cooler in temperature – and compare the effect on the cutting over time. Ask children to record their findings and present what they have observed.

How Many Grams are in a Kilogram?

Look no further if you’re wondering how many grams are in a kilogram. There are 1000 grams in a kilogram. Read on to find out more about how to convert between grams and kilograms.

How many grams are in a kilogram?

There are 1000 grams in a kilogram. When converting between grams and kilograms, you would divide the number of grams you have by 1000. If converting from kilograms to grams, you would multiply by 1000.

For example, we have 5270 grams of flour, but we’d like to express it in kilograms. So we would work out 5270 ÷ 1000 = 5.27, which tells us that we have 5.27 kilograms.

By contrast, if I had 7.3 kilograms of cardboard and wanted to express it in grams, I would multiply it by 1000. So we would work out 7.3 × 1000 to reach 7300 grams.

Teaching Students About Punctuation Marks

Punctuation, such as a complete stop, comma, and apostrophe, are the marks used in writing to separate sentences and elements of sentences and clarify meanings.

What is a Punctuation Mark?

In simple terms, punctuation marks are an emblem to create and support meaning within a sentence or to break it up. Examples of different punctuation marks include full stops (.), commas (,), question marks (?), exclamation marks (!), colons (:), semi-colons (;), apostrophes (‘), and speech marks (“,”).

Often children get told how and when to use various punctuation marks at school, yet this doesn’t explain what a punctuation mark is. Children must know the different types of punctuation marks with names and what they are used for.

Words are not the only thing that can help people to navigate a sentence; these marks show the structure of the sentence, including where the sentence starts and ends and when to pause (or breathe if reading the sentence aloud).

It is essential to make a sentence clear and accurate to be understood. These marks are how ideas are conveyed to the reader properly. You can use our fantastic and diverse range of resources and teaching aids to find all punctuation marks with names, uses, and examples that your children can use to master punctuation skills.

What are the different types of punctuation names? (With examples)

There are 12 different punctuation marks, and we need to learn the punctuation names in English. This means that there’s plenty to choose from when writing! We tend to use some punctuation marks more than others, but it’s still important to know them all, so we know what they mean when we read and see them.

See a description for each type of punctuation mark below, along with some handy punctuation examples in a sentence.

  1. Full stop

A full stop is the punctuation name for a mark that is used to show the end of a sentence, as shown in this punctuation example:

‘Lucy went clothes shopping. She bought a lovely new skirt.’

Full stops indicate the end of a sentence, usually communicating a whole point or thought. Instead, it highlights a new sentence that is about to begin.

  1. Commas

Commas are the punctuation name for a mark that is great for breaking down sentences, combining two clauses, or showing us when to pause.

‘Despite the fact I hate maths, I quite like learning about fractions.’

This shows how commas can add emphasis and tell the reader when to pause. However, sometimes, commas can be misplaced. This is called a comma splice, where two independent clauses are connected by a comma when they should be separated with a full stop or semi-colon or associated with a connective.

  1. Question marks

Question marks are the punctuation name for a mark that is a bit more straightforward. They indicate that the speaker is asking a question. They’re used at the end of the question (or interrogative) sentences.

‘Do you still want to keep your teddy bear?’

  1. Exclamation marks

Exclamation marks are the punctuation name for a mark that can change the meaning and tone of a sentence. They still end a sentence but can add emotion – excitement, anger, or nervousness!

‘Look, it’s a cat!’

‘I’m so nervous about my SATs exams!’

‘I can’t believe you just said that!’

All three of these sentences convey very different emotions using an exclamation mark, which can be confusing. Yet imagine if they used a full stop instead – these emotions would be much harder to read and understand.

A sentence that needs an exclamation mark is called an exclamatory sentence.

  1. Colons

Colons are the punctuation name for a mark ideal for connecting two clauses.

‘Never go out in the sun without sunscreen: you’ll damage your skin.’

They’re also great for introducing a list of three or more things.

‘I’m visiting four cities this summer: Rome, Florence, Paris, and Seville.’

  1. Semicolons

Semicolons get a terrible reputation for being difficult, but they’re super handy!

You can use a semicolon to join two main (or independent clauses) with equal importance. For example,

‘Katie was hungry; she hadn’t eaten all day.’

  1. Apostrophes

Apostrophes are the punctuation name for a mark that is quite confusing for many children, but children must learn how to use them properly.

Apostrophes are used to identify something that belongs to someone or to show a letter or multiple letters are missing from a word. Yet as simple as this sounds, many children and adults often misplace or forget apostrophes, even putting them somewhere they shouldn’t be altogether. For example, the following sentence shows how to use an apostrophe for contractions, where letters are missing from “were not,” “of the clock,” and “cannot.”

“We weren’t meant to leave before 4 O’clock, so we can’t go yet.”

Apostrophes can also be used to show the possessive form of a singular noun.

“The student’s job was to ensure no one touched the pet rabbit’s breakfast.”

With plural nouns where the word already has an ‘s’ at the end, an apostrophe gets added at the end.

“The girls’ toy truck had broken.”

Again, one can be added if the word is plural and doesn’t have an ‘s’ at the end.

“The women’s business meeting had been delayed.”

One of the most common misuses of apostrophes is putting them in words that are just plural and don’t show possession or contraction. So, for example, terms such as pencils, ghosts, houses, or guests never need an apostrophe.

  1. Dash

Adashisthe punctuation name for a mark that is used to separate words into statements. There are two common kinds of dashes: en dash and em dash, which vary in length. The en dash is twice as long as a hyphen and is most commonly used to signify a range between two words or numbers, for example, the date range:

1990-2014.

Meanwhile, the em dash can be used in place of a comma, parenthesis, or colon to improve readability or emphasize the conclusion of a sentence. For example:

She gave him her answerNo!

  1. Hyphen

This list of punctuation marks isn’t exhaustive, but it does contain the most commonly used punctuation marks with names. For example:

Sarah had a part-time job that she worked on a Saturday

  1. Parentheses

A parenthesis is a word, phrase, or sentence that is inserted into writing as extra information using brackets, commas, or dashes. For example:

‘James (who was terrified of heights) was going to ride the biggest rollercoaster in the theme park

When a whole sentence is written inside a parenthesis, then the full stop will be included inside the parenthesis, for example – Please read this story. (You’ll be amazed.). However, if most of a sentence is written outside the parenthesis, then the full stop should also be used on the outside, for example, You are late (aren’t you?).

  1. Brackets

Brackets are the punctuation name for a mark with curved symbols that look like () and are used to separate non-essential or additional information from a sentence. For example:

She finally answered (after taking five minutes to think) that she didn’t understand the question.

  1. Quotation marks

Quotation marks are the punctuation name for a mark that is the primary type of punctuation used in quotes. These are inverted commas that are used as either single (‘ ’) or double (“ ”) sets. They are used either to mark the start and end of a title or a quoted passage. For example:

Walking across the beach, Mary said, “the weather is very sunny today.”

  1. Ellipsis

An ellipsis(plural ellipses) is a punctuation mark of 3 dots. Ellipses are commonly used to indicate the omission of words, lines, or paragraphs from a quoted passage. For example:

‘Today…we are proud to announce our new product.’

Teaching Students About Bones

All of the Bones in the Human Body

Bones make up the human skeleton, and it’s their job to provide the human body with structure and stability. By working with the muscles and joints in our bodies, all the bones in the human body support movement. Many bones also protect the human body’s most vital organs.

The diagram below will introduce you to the common names for the bones that make up the human skeleton; read on to find out about their scientific names and the groups they belong.

List of Bones in the Human Body

There are 206 bones in an adult human skeleton. The skeleton comprises the bones of the: skull, spine, chest, arms, pelvis, hands, legs, and feet. Where a number follows the name of the bone in brackets, this indicates how many of that bone are in the human skeleton.

The skull comprises 28 bones, including the facial and ear bones. The names of these bones are:

  • Frontal,
  • Parietal (2),
  • Temporal (2),
  • Occipital,
  • Sphenoid,
  • Ethmoid,
  • Mandible,
  • Maxilla (2),
  • Palatine (2),
  • Nasal (2),
  • Zygomatic (2),
  • Lacrimal (2),
  • Vomer,
  • Inferior nasal conchae (2),
  • Malleus (2),
  • Incus (2),
  • Stapes (2).

Below the skull, the bone in our throat is called the:

  • Hyoid.

The human spine is made up of 33 small bones which interlock with each other to form the backbone. These interlocking bones are called vertebrae and are divided into sections:

  • Cervical vertebrae (7),
  • Thoracic vertebrae (12),
  • Lumbar vertebrae (5),
  • Sacrum (5),
  • Coccyx (4).

The chest of a human skeleton is made up of pairs of ribs and the breastbone; these bones are the:

  • Sternum,
  • Ribs (2 x 12).

Human arms are made up of five bones each. These are the following:

  • Shoulder blade,
  • Collar bone,
  • Humerus,
  • Radius,
  • Ulna.

The human hand is made up of 27 bones. These bones include the following:

  • Carpals (wrist) (8),
  • Metacarpals (palm) (5),
  • Proximal phalanges (fingers) (5 x 2),
  • Intermediate phalanges (4 x 2),
  • Distal phalanges (5 x 2).

Just above the legs is the pelvis. This is made up of three bones called:

  • Hip bone,
  • Sacrum,
  • Coccyx.

The human leg is made up of four significant bones, these are:

  • Femur,
  • Patella,
  • Tibia,
  • Fibula.

And finally, the feet. A human foot is made up of 26 bones; these are:

  • Talus (ankle),
  • Calcaneus (heel bone),
  • Tarsals (5),
  • Metatarsals (forefoot) (5),
  • Phalanges (toes) (14),
  • Sesamoids (2).

What Are Bones Made Of?

We know what they are, but what are bones made of? All the bones in the human body are alive and growing all the time. Every bone in the human skeleton comprises layers, each being a different type of bone tissue. These bone tissue layers are:

Periosteum: the outer layer of bone is dense and contains blood vessels and nerves.

Compact tissue: this smooth layer is hard and protects the inner tissue of the bone. It’s this layer that is visible when looking at a skeleton.

Cancellous tissue: this sponge-like layer is lightweight and provides strength for bones.

Bone marrow: a jelly-like substance is the innermost part of the bone. It’s the job of bone marrow to produce blood cells.

Although there are around 206 bones in the human body, the human skeleton doesn’t weigh that much. The structure of bones means that they are lightweight while still allowing the human skeleton to support the weight of flesh, organs, muscles, and fat, as well as protecting vulnerable organs like the brain.

How Do Bones Grow?

Babies are much smaller than fully grown adults. So for us to increase in size, our bones have to grow.

A baby typically has around 300 bones at birth. Adults only have 206 bones, so what happens to the other 94 bones? Do they disappear? Well, not exactly. The 300 bones within a baby’s body gradually fuse as they grow to form the 206 bones that adults have. Some of the bones in a baby’s body are made entirely of cartilage, while others are only partly made up of this material. Cartilage is a soft, flexible material that, as children grow, is gradually replaced by bone.

As humans, our bones are finished growing by the time we are 25 years old.

What are Joints?

Joints are where 2 separate bones meet — they ‘join’ together, hence the name. The joints make our skeletons flexible; without them, we would have to move without bending. That would be like walking around like a doll.

Different joints operate and move differently, allowing us to move around freely. For example, some joints have a primary range of motion, such as knees and elbows, that just open and close. However, other joints, such as shoulders and hips, enable more advanced movement, allowing backward, forwards, sideways, and rotating movements.

Joints are classified by their range of movement:

  • Immovable joints: Some joints, immovable or fibrous, do not move. One of the main immovable joints in the human body is the skull. The skull is made up of bony plates that move slightly during birth and then fuse as it finishes growing. Between the edges of these bony plates are little joints of fibrous tissue.
  • Partially movable joints: These joints, also known as cartilaginous joints, are capable of a small amount of movement. These partially movable joints are linked together by cartilage. The vertebrae in the spine are cartilaginous joints since they’re connected by cartilage, and each moves concerning the one above and below it. All of the vertebrae in the spine work together to give the spine flexibility and, therefore, give us a full range of motion.
  • Freely movable joints: Some joints in our bodies, known as synovial joints, can move in a wide range of directions. All the main joints in the human body, including those found in the hips, shoulders, elbows, knees, wrists, and ankles, are freely movable. These joints are filled with synovial fluid, which lubricates them, allowing them to move freely and easily.

Three kinds of freely movable joints in the human body play a big part in voluntary movement. They are as follows:

  • Hinge joints: These kinds of joints allow movement in just one direction, as seen in the knees and elbows.
  • Pivot joints: These kinds of joints allow a rotating or twisting motion, like the head moving from side to side.
  • Ball-and-socket joints: These kinds of joints allow the most excellent range of movement. The hips and shoulders have ball-and-socket joints, in which the rounded end of a long bone fits neatly into the hollow of another bone.

Which Part of The Human Body Has The Most Bones?

The hands and feet have one-quarter of the bones in the human skeleton. Combined, they make up half of the bones in the human body.

Think about how many tasks these parts of the human skeleton can perform – the number of bones means that the hands and feet are divided into small sections that can move in their way.

What Are The Different Types of Bones in The Human Body?

All the bones in the human body belong to different groups. There are four different types of bone in the human body, these are:

  • Long bone: these bones are longer and thinner, connected to muscles, supporting movement. Examples include the arm and leg bones.
  • Short bone: these bones are smaller and more cubed in shape. Short bones provide support and stability. Examples include the wrist and ankle bones.
  • Flat bone: these broad bones protect the body’s most vital organs. They include shoulder blades, skull bones, and ribs.
  • Irregular bone: irregular bones are simply those that don’t belong to the shapes outlined above, like vertebrae.

What is the Smallest Bone in the Human Body?

The smallest bone in the human body is the stapes, located in the middle ear. This small, delicate bone is 3 x 5 mm.

The largest bone in the human body is the femur, located in the upper leg; it’s commonly known as the thigh bone. The average length of a male femur is 48 centimeters.

Bone Marrow

Bone marrow is a jelly-like substance that is responsible for making blood cells. There are three different types of blood cells made by bone marrow:

  • Red blood cells — These cells are responsible for carrying oxygen around the body.
  • White blood cells — These cells make up the body’s immune system.
  • Platelets — These cells are used for clotting.

Bone Cells

Bone cells play a crucial role in rebuilding the body’s skeleton. As a result, the skeleton is constantly being reworked by the body by building and breaking down bone tissue. The result is that each bone is wholly rebuilt every ten years.

The bone cells involved in this rebuilding process are:

  • Osteoblasts — These are the cells that build bone tissue.
  • Osteocytes — These cells control the mineral and calcium content of bone tissue. This allows them to maintain the bone tissue.
  • Osteoclasts — These are the cells that break down old bone tissue.

Bone Density

Bone density is the amount of bone mineral in bone tissue used to measure bones’ strength.

Some of the factors that will lead to good bone density are:

  • A balanced supply of dietary calcium
  • A sufficient amount of vitamin D from sun exposure and food
  • A healthy diet that contains plenty of vitamins and minerals
  • Frequent resistance training

Bone Conditions

Several diseases and conditions affect the 206 bones in the human body. Some of these include:

  • Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is one of the most well-known diseases that affect the bones. This disease is caused by low bone density, which results in the bones being brittle and weak and thus more susceptible to breaking. As it stands, osteoporosis affects over 3 million people in the UK. While anyone can be affected by this disease, it tends to be more common in women than in men. The low bone density that leads to osteoporosis can be caused by the body losing too much bone tissue or making too little of it. People tend not to know they have osteoporosis until they break a bone, as it is a symptomless disease.

  • Osteonecrosis

Osteonecrosis is a bone disease that happens when bone tissue is deprived of blood and, as a result, dies. The most common cause of this is trauma to the bone, such as a fracture, which disrupts or prevents blood flow to the bone. Another cause of osteonecrosis can also be the prolonged use of high-dose steroids.

  • Bone Tumours

Bone tumors can happen due to the uncontrolled growth of cells inside the bone. There are two types of bone tumors; they can either be benign, meaning that they are non-cancerous, or malignant, meaning that there is a moderate to high probability that they will spread throughout the body.

  • Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease. This disease is the most common form of arthritis, affecting approximately 8.5 million people in the UK. Osteoarthritis is caused by the cartilage, a cushion between bones, and wears down. The result is that the bones rub together in a way that can cause people a great deal of pain, inflammation, and stiffness.

  • Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic immunodeficiency disorder. As part of this disease, the body’s immune system attacks the body’s tissues, consequently damaging the lining of the joints. As a result, people with rheumatoid arthritis often experience a lot of painful swelling that can, in turn, lead to bone erosion and joint deformity.

  • Scoliosis

Scoliosis is a bone condition in which the spine curves abnormally either to the left or the right. In the past, scoliosis was believed to be a disease that only affected children, but it is now recognized as affecting adults. It is, however, most common in children aged 10 to 15. In the UK, around 3 or 4 in every 1,000 children need treatment for scoliosis. The exact cause of this disease is unknown, but it is believed to be, at least in part, hereditary.