• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Punctuating direct speech: ? and ! inside, split speech, new speakers; Commas after fronted adverbials and subordinate clauses). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? ("Can I help?" asked Zoe. / "Can I help," asked Zoe. / "Can I help?" Asked Zoe. / "Can I help"? asked Zoe.) → "Can I help?" asked Zoe.Prompt: A question or an exclamation keeps its ? or ! INSIDE the speech marks.
2. Which sentence has the comma in the right place? • Slowly and silently, the cat crept forward. • Slowly and silently the cat, crept forward. • Slowly, and silently the cat crept forward. • Slowly and silently the cat crept, forward. (Slowly and silently, the cat crept forward. / Slowly and silently the cat, crept forward. / Slowly, and silently the cat crept forward. / Slowly and silently the cat crept, forward.) → Slowly and silently, the cat crept forward.Prompt: Find where the opening phrase or clause ends and the main clause begins.
3. The speaker is interrupted in the middle of a sentence. Which is punctuated correctly? ("I think," said Priya, "The robot needs new batteries." / "I think" said Priya "the robot needs new batteries." / "I think," said Priya. "the robot needs new batteries." / "I think," said Priya, "the robot needs new batteries.") → "I think," said Priya, "the robot needs new batteries."Prompt: The spoken sentence is still one sentence, so the second part does not start with a capital.

• Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
• Share the objective: Commas after openers, yes and no, tag questions and names. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which sentence has the comma in the right place?
• Step 1: Use a comma after an introductory word or phrase, after yes/no, before a tag question, and to separate the name of the person being spoken to.
• Step 2: So the answer is: Yes, I would love to come.
• Answer: Yes, I would love to come.
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which sentence has the comma in the right place? (It's cold today isn't, it? / It's, cold today isn't it? / It's cold today, isn't it? / It's cold, today isn't it?) → It's cold today, isn't it?Prompt: Commas set off: an opening word or phrase, yes/no, the name of the person you are talking to, and a tag question like 'isn't it?'.
2. Read the question. Which sentence means you are talking TO Mia about drawing? (I'm going to draw Mia. / I'm going to draw, Mia.) → I'm going to draw, Mia.Prompt: A comma before a name shows you are talking TO that person.

• 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 7 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. Which sentence has the comma in the right place? (Sam, could you pass the salt? / Sam could you, pass the salt? / Sam could you pass, the salt? / Sam could, you pass the salt?) → Sam, could you pass the salt?Prompt: Commas set off: an opening word or phrase, yes/no, the name of the person you are talking to, and a tag question like 'isn't it?'.
2. Read the question. Which sentence means you are asking Ben to make a phone call with you? (Let's call Ben. / Let's call, Ben.) → Let's call, Ben.Prompt: A comma before a name shows you are talking TO that person.

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/english/grade-5.