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Subordinate Clause Dice Game: Free Printable Game for Year 4
- ForYear 4
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Subordinate Clause Dice Game is a free printable English game for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9). Two to four players roll a die, pick up a clause starter and finish the sentence in their own words. It takes about 15 minutes, needs one die and a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help, a stretch idea and answers.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to the players and keep page 2 for the grown-up. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
On the sheet, children roll a die and use the roll to find a clause starter. They then finish the sentence in their own words and write their best version in a table. The table has three headings: Roll, Clause starter and My sentence. Each turn, children think of a main idea, join it to the extra detail and say it aloud before writing. Players take turns, so there is plenty of talk.
- Roll
- Clause starter
- My sentence
What is a subordinate clause?
A clause is a group of words with a subject and a verb. A main clause makes sense on its own. A subordinate clause does not. It adds extra detail, such as why, when or in what circumstances something happens, and it needs a main clause beside it. A subordinating conjunction, such as because, although or when, usually opens the subordinate clause.
Joining clauses helps children move from short, choppy sentences to writing that flows and explains. A die makes the game low stakes, because chance picks the starter and every player has the same job: make the sentence sound right. Saying sentences aloud helps children hear when a sentence feels unfinished. That is the best clue that a clause cannot stand alone.
Skills and curriculum link
- Subordinating conjunctions
- Complex sentences
- Joining ideas
- Speaking and listening
- Commas in sentences
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | English | Writing: vocabulary, grammar and punctuation | Year 4 |
What children will be able to do
- I can use words such as because, although and when.
- I can join two ideas into one longer sentence.
- I can say which part of my sentence is the extra detail.
Ideas for the grown-up helper
- Start with the main ideaAsk the player what they want to say first. A short idea that makes sense alone is the base for the whole sentence.
- Listen for unfinished sentencesIf a clause starter is read on its own, it sounds incomplete. Ask your child what they notice when they hear it.
- Try more than one endingThe same starter can lead to many sentences. Ask for a second version and compare which one sounds better.
- Look at the comma togetherWhen a sentence changes order, the comma may need to change too. Read it aloud and listen for the natural pause.
Key words
- ClauseA group of words with a subject and a verb.
- Main clauseA clause that makes sense on its own.
- Subordinate clauseA clause that adds extra detail and cannot stand alone as a sentence.
- ConjunctionA joining word that links words, phrases or clauses.
- Subordinating conjunctionA joining word that begins a subordinate clause and links it to a main clause.
- Complex sentenceA sentence with a main clause and at least one subordinate clause.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the players. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Read the rules aloud together so everyone plays the same game. You need one die and two to four players.
- Take turns to roll the die and find the clause starter. Say your sentence aloud before you write it.
- Write your best sentence in the table. Talk about why you chose that ending and what the joining word does.
- Check against the notes on page 2. Come back to the game another day, because repeating a familiar game builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Say the sentence aloud first, then write it. Begin with a short idea that makes sense alone. Then say the clause starter and add the extra detail. Listen to the whole sentence. If it sounds unfinished, add more words until it feels complete.
To stretch confident children
Move the clause to the end of the sentence and check the comma. Read both versions aloud. Does the meaning stay the same? Does the comma still belong where you put it? Explain your decision to another player.
Make it a game
Challenge: nobody can use the same ending twice. Listen to each sentence before you take your turn. If your idea has already been used, think of a new one. The player with the most original endings at the end wins.
Talk about it
- Which joining word did you use, and what does it do?
- How could you make this short sentence longer?
- Which part of the sentence cannot stand alone?
- Can you think of a different ending for the same starter?
- What happens to the meaning if you change the joining word?
- Which sentence from the game sounded best when you read it aloud?
Take it off the page
Sentence swap
Write a short main clause on a strip of paper. Pass it to someone else and ask them to add a clause starter and an ending. Read the finished sentences aloud.
Joining word hunt
Look through a favourite book for joining words such as because, although and when. Read the whole sentence aloud and point to the part that adds extra detail.
Story in one sentence
Tell a short story about your day using only one long sentence. Use at least two joining words. See who can keep going the longest and still make sense.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Ten to fifteen minutes is plenty. Praise sentences that sound right, and ask them to read their sentence aloud so they can hear it.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table game. It needs no preparation beyond printing and a die. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it once and reuse it with brothers, sisters or friends. It pairs well with reading aloud and everyday talk. A few short games across a week work better than one long session.
Where this fits in learning
Before this, children join ideas using simple words such as and, but and so. They also learn that a sentence needs a subject and a verb. This game builds on that by asking them to join ideas in a way that shows how they connect.
After this, children meet a wider range of sentence structures and more varied punctuation. Confident use of subordinate clauses helps them explain, describe and give reasons in longer pieces of writing.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Which joining word did you use, and what does it do?
- How could you make this short sentence longer?
- Which part of the sentence cannot stand alone?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Subordinate Clause Dice Game for?
It is written for Year 4 (ages 8 to 9), in Key Stage 2. It also works as revision for older children, or as a stretch for confident younger writers who are ready to join ideas.
- What will children practise?
Children build complex sentences using subordinating conjunctions. They join a main idea to extra detail, say the sentence aloud, write it down and begin to notice which part cannot stand alone.
- How do I play?
Two to four players take turns to roll a die and find the clause starter. Each player finishes the sentence and writes their best version in the table. You need one die. It takes about 15 minutes.
- What if it feels too hard?
Say the sentence aloud first, then write it. Begin with a short idea that makes sense alone, then add the joining word and the extra detail. Work through the first turns together and talk about each choice.
- Is it free to print?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters, other groups or revision a few weeks later.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. You do not need anything except a die, a pencil and both pages.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.