Teaching punctuation with semicolons, cupcakes, and cucumbers. Semicolons help avoid confusion between items in lists where there are already commas. Then i read their essays and realized they had no idea when to use a semicolon. Please note that there are a few other ways of using semicolons i. Two common uses for semicolons 1 a semicolon is much like a period. Welcome to esl printables, the website where english language teachers exchange resources. Carla often participated in school plays, but she always ended up playing minor roles. There are some rules regarding the use of semicolons that must be followed. Using commas, semicolons, and colons within sentences. Rather, they seem to insert them at random, or they neglect to insert them at all. In writing, we use colons and semicolons to make connections and introductions. Semicolons signal to a reader that the information in both sentences should be taken together.
Learning to use commas and other punctuation with confidence requires a basic understanding of sentence structure. Part iv all the commas and semicolons have been omitted from the following sentences. Semicolons separate clauses or phrases that are related and that receive equal emphasis. Improve your language arts knowledge with free questions in join sentences with semicolons, colons, and commas and thousands of other language arts skills. It is important for students to know that the semicolon does not function in the same way as the comma. In the following fivepart exercise select true or false to indicate whether the sentence uses the appropriate comma or semicolon. The ssu writing centerlocated in 1008 salazar libraryoffers tutorial services to all faculty, staff, and students at sonoma state. After children learn the rules, they can practice putting commas in the correct positions. Dec 09, 20 for key stage 2 students, using punctuation is a really useful interactive and further punctuation mark practice exercises can be found for semicolons, colons, hyphens and dashes and commas. Colons and semicolons the colon follows an independent clause a complete statement and introduces one of three things.
Currently, there are 12 different song lyrics from. You can teach the lesson all at one time or complete the different activities throughout the year t. Answer key to colons and semicolons displaying top 8 worksheets found for this concept some of the worksheets for this concept are great grammar semicolons and colons, name semicolon or comma, title using commas and semicolons police, colons and semicolons, semicolons, semicolons and colons, colon, punctuation. It has been my experience that even college students seldom use commas and semicolons correctly. Use commas, not semicolons, after an independent clause it could stand alone as a full sentence joined with another independent clause by a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so.
This is a highly visual, interactive and fun powerpoint explaining the use of the oxford comma. If youre behind a web filter, please make sure that the domains. I cant believe you went to disneyland, six flags, and universal studios all in one day. I have thoroughly tested this microlesson with actual students in reallife, public, middle school classroomsthe vast majority of students became engaged, responsive, and productive even the nerdowells. Commas set off clear parts of sentences, colons come before an explanation, and semicolons join two complete thoughts.
To comma or not to comma, is a question that stumps many writers. Included in your free resource student handout with comma rules for the most common errors that students make 6 cell phone text messaging task cards. The main function of a colon is to introduce what follows it. The rules about commas are straightforward and not difficult to learn. Correct the punctuation in the following sentences by rewriting the sentence, adding semicolons and colons where they are needed and by changing other punctuation and capitalization as. Here are some free resources to help you learn and teach semicolons. While writing, it is very important to use semicolons at the appropriate place since an inappropriate use of semicolon may confuse the reader. Commas, colons, and semicolons powerpoint lesson this animated slideshow will teach students about the. Semicolons join independent clauses and items in a series.
Determine if the empty spaces need a semicolon, a comma, or no punctuation. Once you master the rules for effective punctuation, your writing skills will improve. Explain that the semicolon is the superhero of the punctuation world. This is a 10 question quiz that assesses a students ability to identify independent clauses and proper ways to join independent clauses using sentences about spongebob squarepants. Using semicolons students explore when semicolons are used and practise adding them to sentences. A worksheet for teaching revising colons and semicolons, including definitions, sentence examples and a paragraphing exercise. Use a semicolon to separate units of a series when one or more of the units contain commas. Download the free pdf resource free members and subscribers see other resources. He loves the irish descendents, he goes to all of their concerts. With these reading and writing worksheets, your students will learn how commas act differently in a series, in dates and addresses, in compound sentences, and more. My parents, who met each other in 1962, have been married for 50 years. Nov 29, 2017 semicolons and colons tamuwritingcenter. If youre seeing this message, it means were having trouble loading external resources on our website. Nov 11, 2016 a worksheet for teaching revising colons and semicolons, including definitions, sentence examples and a paragraphing exercise.
Connect two sentences if the second is a restatement or further explanation of the first. Comma worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. Each number contains one or two sentences which may have one or more commas or semicolons missing. See more ideas about teaching, teaching writing and grammar and punctuation. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it joins two complete ideas independent clauses. This resource will show you the basics about proper punctuation.
Commas set off parenthetical elements such as an appositive, which is a noun phrase or clause that renames or describes the noun directly beside it, and nonrestrictive relative clauses. Commas, colons, and semicolons powerpoint lesson ppt commas or semicolons worksheet 01 determine whether the clauses need to be joined with commas or semicolons. Pharrell, taylor swift, the jackson five, the temptations, ka. Using punctuation is like pausing between words and ideas when you speak. Oct 01, 2006 we would recommend that commas be used rather than semicolons to separate the items in this list because the items themselves do not contain commas. On time, teaching, and technology, pat miller 2001 discusses the role of technology in teaching online courses.
Colons and semicolons are punctuation marks that confound many people. Teaching punctuation with semicolons, cupcakes, and cucumbers is easy and fun with this punctuation printable pack. A sentence without commas may be a runon or look improperly composed. Commas and semicolons worksheet with images comma and. Commas, semicolons, and colons, commas are used to combine two complete independent clauses with a conjunction saul grabbed his rain coat, but it ended up being sunny. As essay and story writing become integral parts of the curriculum, 4th grade commas worksheets become handier. I hope that these worksheets, resources, and activities will help you better learn or teach comma. Using semicolons and colons, full version comes with a word search, and a crossword puzzle.
Identify whether to use colons or semicolons in sentences. Use a comma before a coordinating conjunction and, but, yet, so, or nor, for when it. That being said, well just mention that sometimes, depending on the communicator, the format, and the audience, semicolons might be used to separate items in longer sentences or passages of text. Punctuation 3 punctuation when should you use a colon instead of a semicolon. Colons introduce a list, a quote or formal statement, a restatement, or an explanation. A guide to colons, semicolons, dashes, and parentheses adapted from schuster, breaking the rules. This esl writing exercise introduces students to the proper usage of semicolons and gives them a chance to practice writing sentences with appropriate semi colon usage. For key stage 2 students, using punctuation is a really useful interactive and further punctuationmark practice exercises can be found for semicolons, colons, hyphens and. An independent clause can stand alone as a complete sentence. After completing this lesson, the students will be able to. This handout shows how to use them in ways that most academic readers expect. If a sentence needs no corrections, mark it with a c. The main rule for these punctuation marks is to use them sparingly. I had created some of the best romeo and juliet lesson plans ever.
If your students are anything like mine, they struggle with commas and semicolons. How to teach punctuation teacher network the guardian. He likes mustard, onions, and chili on his hotdogs. These energetic, funfilled organization and planning tools help students determine when a comma is necessary. Semicolons add a dash of style to students writing. Conjunctive adverbs include however, therefore, in addition, moreover, subsequently, consequently, instead, and additionally. Please add or delete colons and semicolons, as necessary.
Expand to view all common core state standards related to semicolons. Ixl join sentences with semicolons, colons, and commas. To connect independent clauses and avoid runon sentences b. This commas and semicolons worksheet is suitable for 6th 7th grade. The semicolon functions more like a period than a comma. This lesson is a simple, clear road map for students to navigate through the world of semicolons. Commas and colons and semicolons quiz sponsored by the center for teaching and learning at uis last edited 6302008 page 2 of 2 we finished our theme park tour at 115 pm. A semicolon is a form of punctuation that sorts out complex lists or links complete clauses. Our rule 1 of spacing with punctuation states, with a computer, use only one space following periods, commas, semicolons, colons, exclamation points, question marks, and quotation marks. Insert commas and semicolons to correctly punctuate the sentences. Colons and semicolons were initially used to express pauses longer than a comma and shorter than a period.
Where do you place a comma in a coordinate conjunction. Where the list items already contain commas, a semicolon helps avoid confusion between the items. O using a semicolon as an extrastrength comma o introducing a list with a semi colon see the section on colons on the next page o separating an independent clause from a dependent clause with a semicolon notes and tone and style some readers feel that semicolons are unnecessary and are only used by writers trying to show off. Also, this is the time to pull out the grammar books and give them some drills for homework. Even when the house looks clean, there is usually a bunch of dirt swept under the rug. Commas eight basic uses to better understand the use of the comma, begin by learning the following eight basic uses. Let them work together to add in commas, semicolons, periods and any other punctuation they know. Using commas and semicolons correctly permission is granted to anyone wishing to use or reproduce this lesson plan and the associated handouts. Semicolon worksheets and activities ereading worksheets. Commas and colons and semicolons quiz sponsored by the center for teaching and learning at uis last edited 6302008 page 1 of 2 tf commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. Place semicolons between items in lists if some items the list include commas. Students learn to write sentences using commas correctly.
Its able to do amazing things no other punctuation can do, and that today the class will learn the. The writing center commas, semicolons, and colons guides. A lesson plan that presents teaching and learning resources on colons and semicolons. Students then add commas or semicolons where they are needed in the given sentences. Use a semicolon along with a conjunctive adverb and a comma to clarify the relationship between two closely related complete sentences. Invite your students to learn how to use these two punctuation marks correctly by punctuating song lyrics. Semicolons join two independent, clauses complete sentences that are closely related if no coordinating conjunction is used. Commas commas clarify meaning and set sentence meter for readers. Choosing the correct punctuation can be confusing, and these three critters are some of the worst. Colons and semicolons worksheet teaching resources. When not to use a semicolon use commas, not semicolons, after an independent clause it could stand alone as a full sentence joined with another independent clause by a coordinating conjunction for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so. Take a close look at both the definitions and uses of commas, colons, and semicolons. Dashes can be used in pairs, like commas and parentheses, to set off an inserted comment in a sentence.
Commas in a series powerpoint and worksheets commas are easy to teach when you use this noprep powerpoint. Semicolons or commas rtf semicolons or commas pdf semicolons. A collection of downloadable worksheets, exercises and activities to teach colon and semicolon, shared by english language teachers. Use commas after longer introductory phrases and clauses. Another way to look at it is to consider the simplest form of the sentence, which could be pam reid, a registered nurse, attended the meeting. Semicolons can be used to link items in a list, such as objects, locations, names and descriptions. Many writers are confused about when to use a semicolon and when to use a colon. Comma, colons, and semicolons punctuation lesson who cares. The washington monument, a massive obelisk, was completed in 1884. Community home latest posts search forums education news teaching overseas us. Thus, you only need semicolons to separate the units of the series from each other and not from the rest of the sentence.
Help your middle and high school students understand basic comma rules with this fun, modern activity. See more ideas about teaching writing, teaching grammar and grammar and punctuation. Demonstrate the knowledge of colons and semicolons in writing. A semicolon is slightly different than a comma as it indicates a longer pause in the statements. Imagine if you didnt take pause between words and sentences when speaking. Answer key to colons and semicolons worksheets kiddy math. Originally, typewriters had monospaced fonts skinny letters and fat letters took up the same amount of space. If you know how sentences are structured, then it is easy to understand how punctuation helps writers negotiate their expressions. Commas or semicolons worksheet 02 ereading worksheet online reading activity.
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