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Back to basics

If you doubt the importance of the lowly comma, just ask the shop that decreed that its toilets were exclusively for “disabled elderly pregnant children”. This week’s resources help students to get their heads around punctuation

4th April 2014, 1:00am

Tes Editorial

1. Comma chameleon

What is it? A lesson and worksheets on clauses, complex sentences and how commas can change the meaning of a piece of writing

What users say “Exceptional resource. Best I’ve seen for teaching clauses, complex sentences and how to punctuate them.”

2. Long lists

What is it? Worksheets that help students to practise how to place commas in long lists of items

What users say “This has saved me a lot of time.”

3. Comma on over

What is it? Step-by-step instructions on how to use commas correctly, plus accompanying activities

What users say “Good for middle- to high-ability students, but easily adaptable for all classes.”

4. Punctuation primer

What is it? A lesson starter on commas - perfect for use with mini whiteboards

What users say “Very helpful.”

5. Just clause

What is it? A presentation on the use of commas for clauses

What users say “Fantastic resource - just what I was looking for. Lots of easy-to-understand examples.”

6. Creative colons

What is it? A lesson on how colons can be used to enhance creative writing

What users say “Useful starter activity. This could be incorporated into any unit of work that develops students’ writing skills.”

7. Open-door policy

What is it? A short, simple guide to the semicolon, with a cartoon character explaining that it “holds the door ajar” between two sentences

What users say “A lovely resource. I love the characters and know my class will too.”

8. Coronation colons

What is it? A quirky introduction to the colon - from the same contributor as the previous resource - which explains that this powerful piece of punctuation always precedes a “royal procession of important words”

What users say “Very child-friendly and memorable. Thank you.”

9. Sentence spacers

What is it? Worksheets that explore the difference between colons and semicolons, showing how they make the space between two sentences less abrupt

What users say “A resource that is practical and ready to be used.”

10. Dialogue distilled

What is it? Two presentations: one on the essentials of punctuating dialogue; the other on semicolons

What users say “Very clear. Nice, simple layout.”

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