Punctuation: Commas, Colons, and Semicolons
I. Benchmark/Standard (Common Core)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
II. Objective/Purpose
In this unit we have been examining the use of conventions of the standard English language. We are learning about the ways that using conventions properly can help us express our ideas and thoughts clearly and professionally to others. This is important because throughout our lives we use writing in our education, our professions, and our daily interactions with others.
This unit follows the Common Core standard CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.7.2: Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing. In this lesson, we will learn about the uses of commas, colons, and semicolons. Students will use written examples to show that they know how to use the punctuation correctly, and will demonstrate through an activity of their selection what they know about the punctuation rules.
III. Anticipatory Set
Students in groups of two or three will be given a pair sentences with different punctuation in each and will decide the meanings of each individual sentence, then will share their sentences and meanings with the class.
IV. Behavioral Objective
By the end of the 2ndclass period:
- Students will be able to explain the rules for using commas, colons, and semicolons in English verbally and in written form.
- Students will be able to correctly place commas, colons, and semicolons in sentences with an 80% accuracy rate.
- Students will apply their learning by creating a group product demonstrating what they know about commas, colons, and semicolons.
V. Input
A. Task Analysis
The students need to understand the different symbols comma (,) colon (:) and semicolon (;) from their introduction in the previous class period.
Day 1
- What Do I Mean? Activity (10 min) ---Students will be split into groups of two or three and will be given a pair of sentences with the same word order but different punctuation, which therefore changes the meaning of each sentence. Students must then in their groups decide upon the meaning of each sentence, and after five minutes, the groups will share their sentences and meanings with the class.
- Instruction on Punctuation (15 min) ---The teacher will instruct the class on the different rules regarding the usage of commas, colons, and semicolons in the standard English language. The teacher will show several examples of each and explain why the punctuation is used in each.
- Large Group Practice (10 min) --- Using an overhead projector, the teacher will lead the class in putting punctuation into several sentences without punctuation. Students will be called on at random to add a piece of punctuation into the sentence and must explain the reason for putting the punctuation there. The class as a whole has the opportunity to express whether they agree or disagree with the placement and explain why.
- Fix My Sentence! Activity (10 min) --- Students will each create three sentences without punctuation and will turn them in to the teacher, who will pass them out at random to the students so that no student has his/her own sentences. Students must then put punctuation into the sentences and identify why they put punctuation in that part of the sentence.
- Choose Groups for Show What You Know Activity (5 min) --- Students will be introduced to the Show What You Know activity, in which they will have the opportunity to express what they’ve learned about commas, colons, and semicolons in a creative way --- through writing, through logic, through a visual, through music, or through drama. Students will choose which type of demonstration they would like to create and will be put into groups of 2-4 students, or may do the activity without a partner if they so choose.
Day 2
- Fix the Sentences Bell-ringer/Punctuation Rules Review (10 min) --- When students enter the classroom, a series of sentences will be up on the overhead projector. Students will place punctuation in each sentence as a bell-ringer activity. After five minutes, the teacher will go over the answers with the class and will review the rules of comma, colon, and semicolon usage with the students.
- Show What You Know Activity (20 min) --- Students will get into their groups decided the previous day. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate what they’ve learned about the rules for using commas, colons, and semicolons in a creative way. Students will be able to either:
- Write an instruction book with slogans on using punctuation
- Make a game or puzzle about punctuation rules
- Put on a skit about punctuation rules
- Create a poster with visuals about using punctuation
- Write lyrics to a popular song about using punctuation
- Show What You Know Presentations (15 min) ---Students, in their groups, will present their products of the Show What You Know activity.
- Exit Slip (5 min) --- Students will individually complete an Exit Slip with the rules for using commas, colons, and semicolons, as well as two sentences that need punctuation.
B. Thinking Levels
Knowledge
- What is a comma? colon? semicolon?
- What are the rules for using commas? colons? semicolons?
Comprehension
- Why is this comma/colon/semicolon used in this part of the sentence?
Application
- Put the correct punctuation in the following sentences.
Analysis
- How does this punctuation affect the meaning of the sentence as a whole?
Synthesis
- Create a product showing what you know about the rules for punctuation.
C. Learning Styles/Accommodations
- Auditory input --- listening to the sentences being read aloud by the teacher; hearing the punctuation rules being explained verbally; musical activity
- Visual input --- projecting the sentences on the board; visual activity
- Kinesthetic input --- presenting to classmates; skit activity
- English Language Learners --- allowance to write in native language with English words peppered in; comparison between using punctuation in their native language and in English
D. Methods and Materials
- Methods: large group instruction, student-led instruction, teacher-led demonstrations, independent practice, student presentations, Exit slips
- Materials: What Do I Mean? sheets (one per group), overhead projector, large-group sentences, paper slips for sentences (three per student), Fix The Sentence sentences, blank instructional booklet (one per Linguistic group), graph (two per Logical group), lined paper (one per student in Kinesthetic, Logical, and Musical groups), poster board (one per Visual/Spatial group), Exit Slips (one per student)
VI. Modeling
- Teacher explaining and modeling activities for students
- Teacher demonstrating rules for punctuation in example sentences on overhead projector
VII. Checking for Understanding
- Questions to be asked about rules of punctuation
- Responses: choral, written, student-created examples
VIII. Guided Practice
- Large-group placement of punctuation in sentences
IX. Independent Practice
- Students create and put punctuation in their own sentences in Fix My Sentence! activity
- Students demonstrate what they’ve learned in Show What You Know activity
X. Closure
- Students will demonstrate their learning on the Exit Slips
XI. Assessment
- Informal assessment using students’ choral and individual verbal responses; formative assessment using Fix My Sentence! activity sentences, Show What You Know activity, and Exit Slips