Commas for Pause or Separation

Comma

NGLS- 8L2, 8L2a, 8L2b, 8SL6, 8W2c

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Open Ended

Do Now: Why should we use commas in our writing? In other words, what is the purpose of a comma?

Mini Lesson: Comma

What is a comma?

• a punctuation mark that indicates a pause in a sentence

• used to clarify meaning to the reader

• a tool used to indicate to readers that there is a separation of words, phrases, and ideas

• used to avoid run-on sentences

  • sentences that are too long and not linked or joined properly; can be divided into separate thoughts.

​LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

​Why is a comma important?

• It clarifies meaning. For example, please consider Grandma.

  • Let's eat Grandma

    • This means- Let's eat Grandma (literally)

  • Let's eat, Grandma

    • This means- Grandma come eat with us

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Famous Grandma

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Which answer is not true about a comma?

Commas_____

• clarify meaning

• indicate to readers that there is a separation of words phrases or ideas

• indicate the end of a sentence

• are punctuations that indicate a pause in a sentence

Rule 1: Compound Sentence

• Use commas with a conjunction to separate two simple sentences in a compound sentence.

  • conjunctions are words or phrases that connect or link together

  • a compound sentence is a sentence with more than one subject

• Use the F.A.N.B.O.Y.S acronym to help you remember when and where to place a comma.

  • Place comma before FOR, AND, NOR, BUT, OR, YET, and SO.

• Teacher Model: Joshua won an award, and we organized a party for him.

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Select

Comprehension Check: Which three statements demonstrate a correctly used comma in a compound sentence?

• Juan likes jelly, but he won't eat peanut butter.

• Kelly enjoys going to the movies, and hanging out with her friends.

• Get me some water, or the fire will spread.

• The only person still at the office, is the secretary.

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: If we use the acronym F.A.N.B.O.Y.S to help us understand where to place commas, which words should we look for in a sentence?

• For, An, No, Boy, Or, You, and So

• For, And, Nor, But, Or, Yet, and So

• For, And, Not, But, Out, Yet, and So

• For, An, Not, But, Or, Yet, and So

Rule 2: Appositive

• Use commas to separate an appositive phrase when it interrupts a sentence.

  • Appositive is a noun (person, place, thing) or phrase that is set beside another noun or pronoun to explain or identify it.

• The comma is placed before and after the appositive word or phrase.

• Teacher Model: The teacher, Mrs. Santiago, suggests that we review our Google Slides before we take our test.

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Use the appositive rule when when placing the commas in the sentence below.

My brother's car a sporty red convertible with bucket seats is the envy of my friends.

• My brother's car, a sporty red convertible with bucket seats, is the envy of my friends

• My brother's, car a sporty red convertible with bucket seats, is the envy of my friends

• My brother's car, a sporty, red convertible, with bucket seats is the envy of my friends

• My brother's car a sporty red convertible, with bucket seats, is the envy of my friends

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Which sentence demonstrates a correctly used Appositive comma?

• The student, Melvis, prefers playing soccer over American football.

• The student Melvis, prefers playing soccer, over American football.

• The student Melvis prefers playing, soccer over American football.

• The student, Melvis prefers playing soccer over American football.

​Rule 3: Series

• Use a comma to separate each noun, verb or adjective in a series

  • a series is a list of 3 or more items. The last one is joined by and, or, or nor.

• Teacher Model:

  • Elijah enjoys competing in races, traveling around the world, and eating unique cuisine.

  • Intizor, Michelle, and Qi decided to meet for pizza after class.

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Which sentence demonstrates a correctly used series comma?

• Bulent, Sodais and Mrs. Santiago, decided to decorate the bulletin board together.

• Bulent Sodais, and Mrs. Santiago decided to decorate the bulletin board together.

• Bulent, Sodais and Mrs. Santiago decided to decorate the bulletin board, together.

• Bulent, Sodais, and Mrs. Santiago decided to decorate the bulletin board together.

Rule 4: Coordinate Adjective

• Use a comma to separate two adjectives that are placed together

  • Adjectives describe nouns and pronouns; modify nouns and pronouns

• Adjectives "coordinate", when they work equally to modify another word

• Teacher Model: Camilla brushed her long, shiny hair.

  • Long and shiny modified hair by describing it as both long and shiny

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Analyze the sentence below and determine where the comma correctly uses the coordinate adjective rule.

• Marcus painted his large, blank canvas a variety of colors.

• Marcus painted his large blank canvas, a variety of colors.

​Rule 5: Introphrase/Introductory

• Used between an initial word, phrase, or dependent clause, and the main sentence.

  • dependent clause- group of words that don't complete a thought; cannot be a sentence.

• Teacher model:

  • Before the movie, Luka bought popcorn.

  • After riding his bicycle around the neighborhood twice, Anthony decided to go home.

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Analyze the statement below. Correct the sentence using the Introphrase/Introductory rule:

According to the text the author claims that Edgar Allan Poe is one of the greatest writers of all time.

• According, to the text, the author claims that Edgar Allan Poe is one of the greatest writers of all time.

• According to the text, the author claims that Edgar Allan Poe is one of the greatest writers of all time.

• According to the text the author claims, that Edgar Allan Poe is one of the greatest writers of all time.

• According to the text the author claims that Edgar Allan Poe, is one of the greatest writers of all time.

​Rule 6: Yes/No Statements

• use a comma between the end of the statement, and the beginning of the question.

• use commas after yes/no

Teacher Model:

• Yes, you all can bring a snack and drink for our party.

• No, you may not bring your cats dressed in a Santa suit.

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Determine the best answer that follows the Yes/No comma rule:

• Yes, Sebastian would like that bottle of water.

• No Sebastian, would prefer not to have that bottle of water.

Teacher Model:

Joedanny only wants a PS5 for Christmas, doesn't he?

• Use a comma at the end of the statement to indicate that it's a question.

Teacher Model:

Aliia, will you help me grade some 7th grade assessments?

• Use a comma to separate a person’s name when you address them directly (beginning)

Rule 7:Direct Address/Tag Question

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Determine the best answer that follows the Direct Address rule:

• Victor can I use your, pen?

• Victor can I use your pen?

• Victor, can I use your pen?

• Victor can, I, use your pen?

Multiple Choice

Comprehension Check: Determine the best answer that follows the TAG Question rule:

• Ibrokhim is, such a good student isn't he?

• Ibrokhim, is such a ,good student, isn't he?

• Ibrokhim is such a good student isn't he?

• Ibrokhim is such a good student, isn't he?

Rule 8: Dialogue

• When writing dialogue, insert a comma.

• Used to specify who is speaking

• Use before a quote (dialogue)

• Use after a quote (dialogue)

• Teacher Model:

  • Anastasia said, "You don't even go to this school".

  • "I can't wait to watch Argentina win the World Cup", said Anthony.

LEARNING TARGET: STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THE PURPOSE OF A COMMA BY RECOGNIZING HOW PUNCTUATION CAN IMPACT MEANING

Multiple Choice

(Group) Mistakes Happen: Evaluate the sentence below and correct my punctuation.

Dilafruz, moved next door she seemed nice.

• Dilafruz moved next door she seemed, nice.

• Dilafruz moved next door she, seemed nice.

• Dilafruz moved, next door she seemed nice.

• Dilafruz moved next door, she seemed nice.

Fill in the Blanks

(Group) Mistakes Happen: Evaluate the sentence below and correct my punctuation. Rewrite the sentence with the correct punctuation.

Ayesha drank the tea but then, she started to feel dizzy.

Fill in the Blanks

(Group) Mistakes Happen: Evaluate the statement below and insert the comma(s) in the correct space.

Mariam Deyna and Yasmin decided to work on their project together.

Open Ended

Reflection: Why is it important to use commas correctly?

Multiple Select

Self-assess: Think about your learning experience today. Do you feel confident about commas and how to properly use them?

• Yes! I feel really confident about properly using commas in my writing!

• I feel like I have a good idea how to properly use most commas rules in my writing.

• Meh. I feel okay about applying comma rules in my writing.

• I don't feel confident about properly using commas in my writing.

• No! I have no clue how to apply comma rules in my writing!