English lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 30 minutes
Semicolons in lists that contain commas
Punctuation
CCSS L.9-10.2.AEngland: GCSE English Language (AO6 punctuation)England: SAT Standard English Conventions (Boundaries)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Semicolons in lists that contain commas.
- 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: Semicolon, comma or no punctuation?
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 (Semicolon, comma or no punctuation?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] Some birds migrate thousands of miles [?] others stay put all year. (; / , / no punctuation) → ;Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides of [?]
- In which sentence does [?] need this: ;? (I love autumn [?] the leaves turn gold and red. / The film was long [?] but it was gripping. / We went to the park [?] because the museum was closed.) → I love autumn [?] the leaves turn gold and red.Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides of [?]
- What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The phone that I bought [?] stopped working. (; / , / no punctuation) → no punctuationPrompt: Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides of [?]
Hook · 3 min
- Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
- Share the objective: Semicolons in lists that contain commas. 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 sentence is punctuated correctly? • The tour visits Lyon; France, Turin; Italy, and Geneva; Switzerland. • The tour visits Lyon, France; Turin, Italy; and Geneva, Switzerland. • The tour visits Lyon, France, Turin, Italy, and Geneva, Switzerland. • The tour visits: Lyon France; Turin Italy; and Geneva Switzerland.
- Step 1: When list items contain commas, separate the items with semicolons; simple lists use commas.
- Step 2: Items already contain commas, so semicolons separate the items.
- Step 3: So the answer is: The tour visits Lyon, France; Turin, Italy; and Geneva, Switzerland.
- Answer: The tour visits Lyon, France; Turin, Italy; and Geneva, Switzerland.
- 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.
- Is this sentence correct? The tour visits Lyon, France; Turin, Italy; and Geneva, Switzerland. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Do the list items already contain commas?
- Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • Prizes went to Ana, who sang, Leo, who juggled, and Mia, who danced. • Prizes went to Ana, who sang; Leo, who juggled; and Mia, who danced. • Prizes went to: Ana who sang, Leo who juggled; Mia who danced. • Prizes went to Ana; who sang, Leo; who juggled, and Mia; who danced. (Prizes went to Ana, who sang, Leo, who juggled, and Mia, who danced. / Prizes went to Ana, who sang; Leo, who juggled; and Mia, who danced. / Prizes went to: Ana who sang, Leo who juggled; Mia who danced. / Prizes went to Ana; who sang, Leo; who juggled, and Mia; who danced.) → Prizes went to Ana, who sang; Leo, who juggled; and Mia, who danced.Prompt: Do the list items already contain commas?
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.
- Is this sentence correct? We need eggs, flour and sugar for the cake. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Do the list items already contain commas?
- Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • She has lived in Cork, Ireland, Perth, Australia, and Halifax, Canada. • She has lived in: Cork, Ireland, Perth, Australia, Halifax, Canada. • She has lived in Cork, Ireland; Perth, Australia; and Halifax, Canada. • She has lived in Cork; Ireland, Perth; Australia, and Halifax; Canada. (She has lived in Cork, Ireland, Perth, Australia, and Halifax, Canada. / She has lived in: Cork, Ireland, Perth, Australia, Halifax, Canada. / She has lived in Cork, Ireland; Perth, Australia; and Halifax, Canada. / She has lived in Cork; Ireland, Perth; Australia, and Halifax; Canada.) → She has lived in Cork, Ireland; Perth, Australia; and Halifax, Canada.Prompt: Do the list items already contain commas?
Watch out for
- Using commas where a full stop (period) is needed.
- Putting apostrophes in plurals (apple's).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Semicolon, comma or no punctuation?.
- 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-10.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder