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English lesson plan · 10th grade (Year 11 in England) · 45 minutes

Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT)

Punctuation

CCSS L.9-10.2.ACCSS L.9-10.2.BEngland: SAT Standard English ConventionsEngland: ACT EnglishEngland: GCSE English Language (SPaG)

Objective and success criteria

Students will: Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT).

  • 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: Semicolons; Commas: restrictive vs non-restrictive, coordinate adjectives

Leads to: Possessives, plurals and non-essential elements (SAT); Punctuation for style and emphasis; Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (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 (Semicolons; Commas: restrictive vs non-restrictive, coordinate adjectives). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
  • Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
  1. Which sentence uses a semicolon correctly? • The film was long; however it was; gripping. • The film; was long however, it was gripping. • The film was long, however; it was gripping. • The film was long; however, it was gripping. (The film was long; however it was; gripping. / The film; was long however, it was gripping. / The film was long, however; it was gripping. / The film was long; however, it was gripping.) → The film was long; however, it was gripping.Prompt: Could the words on each side of the semicolon stand alone as sentences?
  2. Which sentence is punctuated correctly? • My brother who lives in Canada is a chef. (I have only one brother.) • My brother, who lives in Canada, is a chef. (I have only one brother.) (My brother who lives in Canada is a chef. (I have only one brother.) / My brother, who lives in Canada, is a chef. (I have only one brother.)) → My brother, who lives in Canada, is a chef. (I have only one brother.)Prompt: Is the clause essential to identify the noun, or just extra information?
  3. Which is the correct way to join these two main clauses? • The kettle boiled; Mum made tea. • The kettle boiled Mum made tea. • The kettle boiled: and Mum made tea. • The kettle boiled; and Mum made tea. (The kettle boiled; Mum made tea. / The kettle boiled Mum made tea. / The kettle boiled: and Mum made tea. / The kettle boiled; and Mum made tea.) → The kettle boiled; Mum made tea.Prompt: A comma on its own cannot join two main clauses (that is a comma splice).

Hook · 5 min

  • Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
  • Share the objective: Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT). 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: Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The museum reopened in spring___ its new wing displays fossils from Patagonia.
  • Step 1: Joining clauses correctly avoids comma splices and fragments.
  • Step 2: Both sides are main clauses with no conjunction, so a semicolon is needed.
  • 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. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The violinist rehearsed for hours each day___ she still felt unprepared. (, but / , / : but / ; but,) → , butPrompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?
  2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was closed for repairs___ therefore, traffic was diverted. (: and / — therefore / ; / ,) → ;Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?

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. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The town's oldest building — a stone ___ dates from the 1300s. (chapel / chapel, / chapel; / chapel —) → chapel —Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?
  2. Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was closed for repairs___ therefore, traffic was diverted. (; / — therefore / , / : and) → ;Prompt: Are the parts on each side complete main clauses?

Watch out for

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

Support and stretch

Support

  • Review first: Semicolons.
  • 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: Possessives, plurals and non-essential elements (SAT); Punctuation for style and emphasis; Punctuating however, therefore and other conjunctive adverbs (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-10.

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

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Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT)

Name

Date

Score/ 8

  1. Question 1

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The museum reopened in spring___ its new wing displays fossils from Patagonia.

    • A. ;
    • B. — and,
    • C. : and
    • D. ,

  2. Question 2

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Maya Angelou, an acclaimed poet and ___ also worked as a journalist.

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

  3. Question 3

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The festival, which began in ___ now draws visitors from around the world.

    • A. 1950
    • B. 1950:
    • C. 1950,
    • D. 1950;

  4. Question 4

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? Researchers collected three kinds of samples___ soil, water, and air.

    • A. , and
    • B. — and
    • C. ;
    • D. :

  5. Question 5

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The bridge was closed for repairs___ therefore, traffic was diverted.

    • A. : and
    • B. — therefore
    • C. ,
    • D. ;

  6. Question 6

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The town's oldest building — a stone ___ dates from the 1300s.

    • A. chapel;
    • B. chapel
    • C. chapel —
    • D. chapel,

  7. Question 7

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The violinist rehearsed for hours each day___ she still felt unprepared.

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

  8. Question 8

    Which choice completes the text so that it conforms to the conventions of Standard English? The expedition faced one major obstacle___ a glacier that blocked the only pass.

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

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Answer key: Punctuation between clauses (SAT/ACT)

  1. 1. A. ;

  2. 2. D. memoirist,

  3. 3. C. 1950,

  4. 4. D. :

  5. 5. D. ;

  6. 6. C. chapel —

  7. 7. A. , but

  8. 8. C. :