English lesson plan · 8th grade (Year 9 in England) · 60 minutes
When is a colon correct?
Punctuation
CCSS L.9-10.2.BCCSS L.8.2England: KS3 English (punctuation)England: SAT Standard English Conventions (Boundaries)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: When is a colon correct?.
- 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: Colons; Semicolon, comma or no punctuation?
Leads to: Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (SAT)
Materials: Punctuation cards, A short unpunctuated text, Highlighters, Mini whiteboards, A short model text on the board, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 6 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Colons; Semicolon, comma or no punctuation?). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which sentence uses a colon correctly? • There was only one: problem we had no map. • There was only one problem we: had no map. • There: was only one problem we had no map. • There was only one problem: we had no map. (There was only one: problem we had no map. / There was only one problem we: had no map. / There: was only one problem we had no map. / There was only one problem: we had no map.) → There was only one problem: we had no map.Prompt: The part before a colon must be a complete sentence (a main clause).
- What punctuation (if any) belongs at [?] The museum was closed [?] we went to the park instead. (; / , / no punctuation) → ;Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides of [?]
- In which sentence does [?] need this: ,? (The museum was closed [?] we went to the park instead. / She trained hard [?] and she won the race. / She trained hard [?] and won the race.) → She trained hard [?] and she won the race.Prompt: Is there a complete sentence on BOTH sides of [?]
Hook · 6 min
- Read a short passage with no punctuation and let the class hear why it's confusing.
- Share the objective: When is a colon correct?. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 12 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which sentence uses punctuation correctly? • The results were clear: the new design was faster. • The results were: clear the new design was faster. • The results: were clear, the new design was faster. • The results were clear; : the new design was faster.
- Step 1: A colon follows a complete independent clause and introduces a list, an explanation or an example.
- Step 2: The second part explains the first.
- Step 3: So the answer is: The results were clear: the new design was faster.
- Answer: The results were clear: the new design was faster.
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 12 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? There was only: one explanation someone had taken the key. (yes, it is correct / no, it is not correct) → no, it is not correctPrompt: Cover everything after the colon. Is what's left a complete sentence?
- Which sentence uses punctuation correctly? • You will need three things a torch: a map and a whistle. • You will need: a torch, a map and a whistle. • You will need three things: a torch, a map and a whistle. • You: will need a torch, a map and a whistle. (You will need three things a torch: a map and a whistle. / You will need: a torch, a map and a whistle. / You will need three things: a torch, a map and a whistle. / You: will need a torch, a map and a whistle.) → You will need three things: a torch, a map and a whistle.Prompt: Cover everything after the colon. Is what's left a complete sentence?
You do: independent practice · 17 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 · 7 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- Which sentence uses punctuation correctly? • You will need three things: a torch, a map and a whistle. • You will need three things a torch: a map and a whistle. • You: will need a torch, a map and a whistle. • You will need: a torch, a map and a whistle. (You will need three things: a torch, a map and a whistle. / You will need three things a torch: a map and a whistle. / You: will need a torch, a map and a whistle. / You will need: a torch, a map and a whistle.) → You will need three things: a torch, a map and a whistle.Prompt: Cover everything after the colon. Is what's left a complete sentence?
- Is this sentence correct? The results were clear: the new design was faster. (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?
Watch out for
- Using commas where a full stop (period) is needed.
- Putting apostrophes in plurals (apple's).
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Colons.
- 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: Colons and dashes before an explanation or list (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-8.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder