Punctuation Unit

Monday

Dash/Hyphen (-)
Apostrophe (')1
Quotation Marks
(")

Tuesday
Periods(.)
Semicolons(;)
Comma (,)

Wednesday

Poster Marking
Class

Thursday
Colon(:)
Question Mark
(?)
Exclamation
Mark (!)
Parenthesis (( ))

Friday

Poster
Presentations/
Final Test

1
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Lesson Plan: (.) (,) (;)

Strategy Lesson Title
Period, semicolon, comma
Content Area
ESL

Strategy Area
Grammar
Grade
Gr. 8

Duration
90 mins

Standards (ELA)
NYS/Ontario/Common Core
Code and description

Writing 3.1 use correctly the grammatical structures and conventions of written English appropriate for this
level (ESL Level 1, Open; ESL Level 2, Open; ESL Level 3, Open; ESL Level 4, Open; ELD Level 1, Open)
Objectives/Essential Questions

Explain and be able to demonstrate the different uses of the period, semicolon and comma
Materials Needed:

Pen, pencil and paper

Handout
Lesson Sequence Workshop Model(including activities)
Opening (engage, background knowledge, build community, Entice Effort)
1. K-W-L-E Chart
Have students complete what they know already about the period, semicolon and comma. They will have
three sheets - one for each punctuation. They will have 5 minutes to write down what they know and want to
know about each punctuation (the K and W sections from the chart). 5 minutes
2. Share - Students will share with the class the rules that they have come up with about the different
punctuation marks. 5 minutes
Mini-lesson (direct instruction, model, demonstration, Graphic Organizer, Multiple Intelligences)
3. Mini lesson on period. Students to fill out the L section of the chart during the lesson. This will incorporate
the rules of the comma.
*Option - The rules of the punctuation mark can be given to the student in a hand out. This can be effective
for students who struggle with writing. Extra time may also be given so that students copy down the rules in
ways that they understand the rule. This is an important note because students must use their own words to
explain the rule. This helps them to internalize the rule, and to understand the rule when they review their
notes at a later time.
Work Period (guided practice, application, exploration, Active Learning, Grouping,
Negotiate Meaning, Graphic Organizer, Note Making)
4. Complete what they have now learned about the period. Have students complete two example sentences at
the bottom of their sheets (in the E section of the handout).
Continue with each other punctuation mark. Complete as many punctuation marks as you feel is appropriate
for your class time and structure.
Game
Students to complete the following game:

Divide the punctuation cards equally between the players, face down. Each player can

look at their own cards. One person starts writing a sentence one word at a time and
passes along the paper. Then the person on their left adds another one and so on. The
object of the game is to finish the sentence on your go, with the correct punctuation being
used. And of course try to make sure the others are unable to finish. Then you place the
punctuation card you have used in the middle. To win, you have to get rid of all your cards
first. More than one sentence can be used. TOPIC:
A group of students were going to the mall when aliens suddenly attack!
It is a quiet day in ESL class when suddenly, without warning, the RCMP arrive on campus!
1 point per card used
Closing (debrief, summary, reflection)
Closing activity - Write 1 sentence which has all three punctuation marks.
Write down any questions about punctuation marks. This can either be completed as a Google Form or on a
scrap piece of paper.

Modifications
None
Assessment/Graphic Organizer/Rubric
Observations during game play
Closing activity sentence as formative assessment.
What teacher does: Facilitate the KWL-E chart, mini lectures, correcting during game play
What students do: Assess their own knowledge and understanding, express new knowledge, play games to apply
knowledge.
Reflection on Lesson:

Attach all printed material needed for this lesson

Flash Card Set

,