Hello there! Take a look around, and you'll see that punctuation is everywhere. Why is punctuation important? Without it, the reader will not know when to stop, pause, or give emphasis to certain parts of the text. Keep reading to find out how to teach punctuation to elementary students.
Enhance Literacy with Embedded Grammar Lessons
Research on the Science of Reading (SOR) dating back to the 1970s shows that teaching grammar as isolated rules doesn't effectively transfer to writing and speaking. What works better is embedding grammar within the context of writing. This is why our writing program Lucky to Learn Writing (LTLW) includes grammar skills integrated into writing lessons. This approach ensures that the same skills and standards are met, but in a meaningful context that connects with the rest of the literacy curriculum.
Get this exclusively on All Access
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
We also recognize the value of targeted practice and intervention to reinforce these skills. That's why we've compiled a list of our favorite grammar activities that provide additional practice and intervention opportunities. These activities are designed to complement our integrated approach, ensuring students have a well-rounded understanding of grammar concepts. Let's dive into these engaging and effective activities!
What is punctuation?
Punctuation is the non-letter characters that appear in a written sentence, giving readers instructions on how to read the sentence.
Punctuation can:
- tell the reader what to do (pause, slow down, or stop)
- make the reader's voice sound a certain way
- make our writing clearer and easier to understand
- help the writer show emotion, and the reader express emotion
- help create and clarify mental images for the reader
- help the writer organize their thoughts and ideas
But first, each student must know what each punctuation mark is used for.
What are the punctuation marks we see in 1st and 2nd grade?
- period
- question mark
- exclamation point
- quotation marks
- comma
- ellipsis
Make a poster for each punctuation mark to hang around the classroom. Have students write their own sentence on each poster using that specific type of punctuation mark!
You know we love a good anchor chart! This punctuation anchor chart is perfect to print out for your classroom anchor chart wall or print for each student to use in their writers' notebooks or writing centers.
Click here to see how to use punctuation marks in first and second grade.
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Fun Punctuation Practice Activities
Punctuation Parade
Have your students walk around the classroom looking for punctuation marks: on posters, in books, and on bulletin boards. Have them record the punctuation marks with tallies. Which punctuation mark did they see the most?
Tactile punctuation practice
Make punctuation practice a treat! Use food items to practice punctuation. Write sentences on a sentence strip, and have students place the correct item for punctuation. You could use an M&M or Skittle for the period, stick pretzel and M&Ms for the exclamation point, or a cheese doodle and round candy for a question mark.
Macaroni commas and quotation marks
For more advanced punctuation study using commas and quotation marks, try using macaroni as a tactile object to show these marks. You can check out more of our comma activities on All Access or at this blog post here!
Punctuation Chant
Get those little bodies up and moving with this punctuation chant by educator Jake Daggett. Kinesthetic and multisensory movement is excellent for making connections to new material, like punctuation. Follow along and give it a try in your classroom!
Punctuation Practice Resources for the Classroom
These punctuation centers, worksheets, and activities are sure to help your students perfect their punctuation! Sign up for an All Access Membership and you'll have instant access to all 665 of our punctuation teaching resources – from anchor charts to practice sheets, to literacy center activities!
Get started with some of our favorites below:
Looney Letters!
This mad lib-style activity will have students practice their punctuation skills in a friendly letter format.
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Punctuation Peacocks
Sort the peacock feathers to the peacock with the matching punctuation, then strut your stuff as a punctuation perfectionist!
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Punctuation Toothy
We've got a Toothy game for everything! This teacher and student favorite game comes in print and digital versions for punctuation practice.
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Pet Punctuation
Students will revise their sentences using proper punctuation in this pet-themed worksheet.
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Grammar Day by Day: Punctuation
This spiral review activity features 5 days worth of exercises to review proper punctuation skills.
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Transfer to Independent Writing
Once your students have mastered their punctuation practice, celebrate with a writing goal card for each student, and watch their writing skills soar!
2 Ways to Get This Resource
Join All Access to download everything we've ever made.
Or... Purchase the bundle in our shop.
Tips for Teaching Kids Other Grammar Skills
Click the Grammar Library button below for tips on teaching specific grammar skills.
0 Comments