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English lesson plan · 9th grade (Year 10 in England) · 45 minutes

Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (SAT)

Punctuation

CCSS L.9-10.2.BCCSS L.11-12.2England: SAT Standard English Conventions (Boundaries)England: ACT English

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (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: When is a colon correct?; Dashes and ellipses for effect

Leads to: Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT); Punctuating such as, including and supplements (SAT)

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

Warm-up · 5 min

  • Quick retrieval from earlier learning (When is a colon correct?; Dashes and ellipses for effect). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Is this sentence correct? My favourite subjects are art, music and science. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → yes, it is correctPrompt: Cover everything after the colon. Is what's left a complete sentence?
  2. Which sentence uses punctuation correctly? • My favourite: subjects are art, music and science. • My favourite subjects are: art, music and science. • My favourite subjects: are art, music and science. • My favourite subjects are art, music and science. (My favourite: subjects are art, music and science. / My favourite subjects are: art, music and science. / My favourite subjects: are art, music and science. / My favourite subjects are art, music and science.) → My favourite subjects are art, music and science.Prompt: Cover everything after the colon. Is what's left a complete sentence?
  3. There was only one thing he feared – the dark. What does the dash do here? (It shows missing letters. / It adds emphasis to the final words. / It joins a prefix to a root word. / It marks the start of speech.) → It adds emphasis to the final words.Prompt: Read the sentence aloud. Where do you pause?

Hook · 5 min

  • Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
  • Share the objective: Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (SAT). Read the success criteria together.

I do: model it · 10 min

  • Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
  • Example: What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The answer was simple [?] practise every day.
  • Step 1: A colon (or a single dash) after a complete clause introduces an explanation or list; paired commas or paired dashes must match.
  • Step 2: Clause + explanation: colon.
  • Step 3: So the answer is: :
  • Answer: :
  • Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

We do: guided practice · 10 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. What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] Ana packed everything she needed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit. (: / ; / no punctuation) → :Prompt: Is everything BEFORE [?] a complete sentence? If not, don't use a colon.
  2. In which sentence does [?] need this: no punctuation? (The festival offers three things [?] music, food and fireworks. / Ana packed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit. / Only one player had scored in every match [?] Lina Moreno.) → Ana packed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit.Prompt: Is everything BEFORE [?] a complete sentence? If not, don't use a colon.

You do: independent practice · 10 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 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

Exit ticket · 5 min

  • Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
  1. In which sentence does [?] need this: —? (The festival offers [?] music, food and fireworks. / Ana packed everything she needed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit. / The scientist — who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.) → The scientist — who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.Prompt: Is everything BEFORE [?] a complete sentence? If not, don't use a colon.
  2. What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] Ana packed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit. (: / ; / no punctuation) → no punctuationPrompt: Is everything BEFORE [?] a complete sentence? If not, don't use a colon.

Watch out for

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

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: When is a colon correct?.
  • 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: Matching pairs: comma–comma, dash–dash, bracket–bracket (SAT); Punctuating such as, including and supplements (SAT).
  • 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-9.

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

eurekami

Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (SAT)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    In which sentence does [?] need this: :?

    • A. The festival offers [?] music, food and fireworks.
    • B. Ana packed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit.
    • C. Ana packed everything she needed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit.

  2. Question 2

    What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] Only one player had scored in every match [?] Lina Moreno.

    • A. :
    • B. ;
    • C. no punctuation

  3. Question 3

    What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The scientist — who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.

    • A. ,
    • B. —
    • C. no punctuation

  4. Question 4

    What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The scientist, who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.

    • A. ,
    • B. —
    • C. no punctuation

  5. Question 5

    What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The festival offers three things [?] music, food and fireworks.

    • A. :
    • B. ;
    • C. no punctuation

  6. Question 6

    In which sentence does [?] need this: —?

    • A. The festival offers [?] music, food and fireworks.
    • B. The scientist — who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.
    • C. The scientist, who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.

  7. Question 7

    What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The answer was simple [?] practise every day.

    • A. :
    • B. ,
    • C. no punctuation

  8. Question 8

    In which sentence does [?] need this: no punctuation?

    • A. The scientist, who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.
    • B. The hikers faced one serious problem [?] the bridge had collapsed.
    • C. Ana packed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit.

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Answer key: Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (SAT)

  1. 1. C. Ana packed everything she needed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit.

  2. 2. A. :

  3. 3. B. —

  4. 4. A. ,

  5. 5. A. :

  6. 6. B. The scientist — who had worked on the project for a decade [?] finally published her results.

  7. 7. A. :

  8. 8. C. Ana packed [?] a tent, a stove, two maps and a first-aid kit.