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English lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 30 minutes

When NO punctuation is needed (SAT)

Punctuation

CCSS L.11-12.2CCSS L.11-12.1.AEngland: SAT Standard English Conventions (Boundaries)England: ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: When NO punctuation is needed (SAT).

  • I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
  • I can explain each step and say why it works.
  • I can check my answer and spot a mistake.

Before and after

Needs first: Spotting unnecessary commas

Leads to: Punctuating complex sentences accurately

Materials: Punctuation cards, A short unpunctuated text, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).

Warm-up · 4 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Spotting unnecessary commas). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this sentence correct? She explained that the bridge was unsafe. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Find the subject and the verb. Is there a comma between them? That's wrong.
  2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly, with no unnecessary commas? • Researchers in Kenya, have found a new species of frog. • Researchers in Kenya have found a new species of frog. • Researchers in Kenya have found, a new species of frog. • Researchers, in Kenya have found a new species of frog. (Researchers in Kenya, have found a new species of frog. / Researchers in Kenya have found a new species of frog. / Researchers in Kenya have found, a new species of frog. / Researchers, in Kenya have found a new species of frog.) → Researchers in Kenya have found a new species of frog.Prompt: Find the subject and the verb. Is there a comma between them? That's wrong.
  3. Is this sentence correct? My favourite foods are pasta, curry and dumplings. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Find the subject and the verb. Is there a comma between them? That's wrong.

Hook · 3 min

  • Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
  • Share the objective: When NO punctuation is needed (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 7 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The species ___ in 2021 lives only on one mountain.
  • Step 1: Don't separate subjects from verbs, verbs from objects, or prepositions from objects; essential information takes no commas.
  • Step 2: 'Discovered in 2021' identifies which species: no commas.
  • Step 3: Put it back into the sentence and read it aloud: "The species discovered in 2021 lives only on one mountain."
  • Step 4: So the answer is: discovered
  • Answer: discovered
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 6 min

  • Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
  • Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
  1. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The poet Gwendolyn Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. (correct / incorrect) → correctPrompt: Ask what the two parts on either side of the gap are: subject + verb? verb + object? preposition + object?
  2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The poet Gwendolyn Brooks ___ the Pulitzer Prize in 1950. (won, / won; / won / won:) → wonPrompt: Ask what the two parts on either side of the gap are: subject + verb? verb + object? preposition + object?

You do: independent practice · 7 min

  • Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
  • Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 3 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The festival features music from ___ Ghana and Peru. (Brazil, / Brazil / Brazil; / Brazil:) → Brazil,Prompt: Ask what the two parts on either side of the gap are: subject + verb? verb + object? preposition + object?
  2. Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The engineers tested the bridge with; heavy trucks. (correct / incorrect) → incorrectPrompt: Ask what the two parts on either side of the gap are: subject + verb? verb + object? preposition + object?

Watch out for

  • Using commas where a full stop (period) is needed.
  • Putting apostrophes in plurals (apple's).

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Spotting unnecessary commas.
  • Use concrete materials: punctuation cards.
  • Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
  • Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.

Stretch

  • Move on to: Punctuating complex sentences accurately.
  • Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
  • Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.

Homework and more practice

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-11.

Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder

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When NO punctuation is needed (SAT)

Name

Date

Score/ 6

  1. Question 1

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? Scientists who study volcanoes are, often called volcanologists.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  2. Question 2

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The species ___ in 2021 lives only on one mountain.

    • A. , discovered
    • B. discovered,
    • C. discovered
    • D. discovered;

  3. Question 3

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The research team found; that the glacier was retreating faster than expected.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  4. Question 4

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The poet Gwendolyn Brooks ___ the Pulitzer Prize in 1950.

    • A. won,
    • B. won;
    • C. won
    • D. won:

  5. Question 5

    Is this sentence correct in formal written English (SAT/ACT style)? The research team found: that the glacier was retreating faster than expected.

    • A. correct
    • B. incorrect

  6. Question 6

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? In her book ___ the author explains how cities can adapt to rising seas.

    • A. Rising Water
    • B. Rising Water,
    • C. Rising Water:
    • D. Rising Water;

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Answer key: When NO punctuation is needed (SAT)

  1. 1. B. incorrect

  2. 2. C. discovered

  3. 3. B. incorrect

  4. 4. C. won

  5. 5. B. incorrect

  6. 6. B. Rising Water,