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Grade 1 · Grammar · Sentence structure

1st Grade Join Simple Ideas worksheets

6 printable versionsBuilding ConfidenceAbout 5 minutes eachFree · no account

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Join Simple Ideas

Grade 1 Grammar Worksheet - Building Confidence

NameDate

Circle the joining word that fits.

  1. I packed an apple, ____ I packed a cheese stick.

    • and
    • but
    • or

  2. The bag was heavy, ____ Mia still carried it home.

    • so
    • but
    • or

  3. You can read a book, ____ you can draw a picture.

    • because
    • or
    • but

  4. It was cold, ____ we wore coats.

    • or
    • so
    • but

  5. Mia draws a sun, ____ Mia draws a cloud.

    • but
    • so
    • and

  6. It started to rain, ____ we kept playing outside.

    • because
    • but
    • so

  7. The bell rang, ____ we lined up.

    • so
    • because
    • or

  8. We can walk to school, ____ we can ride the bus.

    • but
    • or
    • so
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1st Grade Join Simple Ideas worksheet 1 – printable PDF
Download PDF: 123456

About this worksheet

Young writers often place one short idea after another without showing how the ideas belong together. Joining words link ideas in different ways: and adds a matching idea, but shows a surprise or a difference, or shows a choice, so shows a result and because shows a reason. On this grade 1 worksheet each line is a sentence with the joining word left blank, such as It was cold, ____ we wore coats, and your child circles the word that fits from a row of joining words.

Support sheets use and, but, or and so; later sheets add because. Read the sentence out loud with each word and ask: does the second idea add more, show a surprise, give a choice, tell what happened next, or tell why?

What your child will learn

  • Join ideas with and, but, or, so, and because
  • Choose the joining word that fits the connection
  • Read joined sentences for meaning
  • Tell apart a matching idea, a surprise, a choice, a result, and a reason

Common Core standard: L.1.1.G

Worked example

‘It started to rain. We kept playing.’ becomes ‘It started to rain, but we kept playing,’ because the second idea is a surprise.

Common mistake

Using and for every pair, even when the ideas show a contrast, a choice, or a reason.

Helpful hint

Ask what kind of link the second idea gives: more, a surprise, a choice, a result, or a reason.

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with join simple ideas?

Using and for every pair, even when the ideas show a contrast, a choice, or a reason.

How can I help my child with join simple ideas?

Ask what kind of link the second idea gives: more, a surprise, a choice, a result, or a reason.

Are these 1st grade grammar worksheets free to print?

Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

Every sheet you scan goes into your child’s record: dated, marked and ready for the year-end portfolio. Homeschool records

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