Before trying to teach my 5th graders simple, complex, and compound sentences, I first teach them independent and dependent clauses using this PowerPoint presentation. Since a complex sentence combines a dependent clause with an independent clause, this overview is very helpful. The full, 10-slide presentation includes:
1) an overview of independent clauses;
2) an overview of dependent clauses;
3) an overview of dependent markers;
4) an overview of how to punctuate both clauses;
5) practice id