Language Conventions: Using Commas
Australian Curriculum
This lesson plan could be used to support the teaching and learning of the following content descriptions from the Australian Curriculum:
Y6: Language: Language for Expressing and Developing Ideas
Understand how to use the comma for lists, to separate a dependent clause from an independent clause, and in dialogue (AC9E6LA09)
Y6: Literacy, Creating Texts
Plan, create, edit and publish written and multimodal texts whose purposes may be imaginative, informative and persuasive, using paragraphs,
a variety of complex sentences, expanded verb groups, tense, topic-specific and vivid vocabulary, punctuation, spelling and visual features
(AC9E6LY06)
Aim: Key/New Words: Resources:
I can use commas to make sure the reader Comma, clarify, ambiguity. Lesson Pack
understands precisely what I am trying to say.
Colouring Pencils
Success Criteria: Prior Learning: Preparation:
I can tell when the meaning in a sentence is Using commas to separate items on Sentence Draw Activity Sheet - one per child
unclear. a list.
Using commas after direct speech. Adding Commas Activity Sheet - one per child
I can suggest different meanings that a Using commas after fronted Make Two Meanings Activity Sheet - one per child
sentence could have. adverbials and fronted subordinate
clauses. Using Commas Mini Test Activity Sheet - one per child
I can add or remove commas to clarify the
Using commas to indicate
meaning of a sentence.
extra information in a sentence Application Activity Sheet as required
(parenthesis).
Using commas to demarcate relative
clauses and embedded clauses.
Introductory Activity
Show the children a list of sentences that have been punctuated with commas. Ask them to talk to a partner and decide why each
comma has been used in each sentence. The last sentence contains a comma that is only needed to clarify the meaning of the
sentence. Share and discuss the answers on the next slide.
Check that the children have the required prior learning for this lesson and that they are familiar with the main functions of a comma
within a sentence. Check to see if children make any suggestions about the comma in no. 6 being needed to clarify meaning.
Independent Focused Activity
Children use the differentiated Sentence Draw activity sheets to explore visually the difference commas can make to the meaning
of a sentence. In some of these examples, a comma may have been used even though there is no grammatical rule that requires
it to be there. However, the idea behind the activity is to stimulate discussion about how commas can completely change the
meaning of a sentence. Check that children understand how the emphasis in the sentence changes as a result of the comma.
Children to complete the Sentence Draw Activity Children to complete the more challenging
Sheet independently. Sentence Draw Activity Sheet independently.
Review Activity
Children use the differentiated Adding Commas activity sheet to read like an editor and decide whether the meaning in a sentence
needs making clearer through the addition of commas.
Can the children see how to use commas to place different emphasis on the words and therefore alter the meaning of the sentence?
Children to complete the Adding Commas Children to complete the more challenging Adding
Activity Sheet independently. Commas Activity Sheet independently.
Consolidation Activity
Make Two Meanings Activity Sheet. Children use commas to make the same words in a sentence carry two distinct meanings.
Check that the children can comment on the different meaning of the sentence they have created.
Assessment
The children complete the Using Commas Mini Test Activity Sheet in order to test their understanding. The children complete
the Application Activity as required, where pupils will need to apply all of their prior learning on the use of commas.
Language Conventions | Year 6 | Using Commas