Age: 11-12 years

Duration: 80 min

Objectives

• Use the base-form subjunctive after suggest, recommend, and insist.
• Recognize formal fixed phrases like "It is essential that..."
• Draft three policy suggestions in correct subjunctive form.

Vocab

• suggest that: "I suggest that the city plant more trees."
• recommend: "We recommend that he study the report."
• subjunctive: "The subjunctive uses the base verb, no -s."
• mandate: "It is essential that the rule be followed."

Warm-up (5min)

Contrast: "He studies hard" vs "I suggest that he study hard." Ask why the second drops the -s. Introduce the subjunctive as a formal form for suggestions and demands.

Main Activity (65min): "Grammar: Subjunctive Mood"

"Formal Recommendation Desk" — Round 1: trigger list (8 min) — verbs and phrases that cue the subjunctive (suggest, recommend, insist, demand, "it is essential/important that"). Round 2: base-form drill — complete 8 sentences choosing the correct base verb. Round 3: error fix — repair 5 sentences that wrongly add -s or a modal. Round 4: transform — turn 4 casual requests into formal subjunctive recommendations. Round 5: policy write — students draft 3 formal recommendations to a "city council" using different trigger phrases. Peer-check for base-form accuracy.

Wrap-up (10min)

Formal-voice challenge: read one recommendation in a "news-anchor" tone. Exit ticket: write one subjunctive sentence starting "I recommend that..."

Teacher Tips

• The dropped -s is the whole game — drill "he study / she be" until automatic.
• Frame subjunctive as the "top-level formal register" — a G6 status marker.
• Powerful for essay conclusions and formal KET writing tasks.