A
A Parents
Parents Guide
Guide
To
To Punctuation
Punctuation
For Kids
7 basic punctuation rules
to give your kid the edge
Written and Published by Dynamic Teaching Tools
A Basic Parent’s Guide To…
Punctuation Rules For Kids
When we speak, we stop at the end of a sentence. We pause, at times, between words.
We change the pitch of our voice if we ask a question, or if we make an exclamation.
We do all these things naturally as we speak because it helps our listener to follow the
meaning of what we are saying and it keeps our speech lively and therefore interesting.
Our kids learn to do all of this unconsciously as their speech develops- it’s not something
that needs teaching at school.
However, what we do need to teach our kids is how to indicate these pauses and
changes in expression in their writing. That’s basically what punctuation is. It is a
system of punctuation marks used to help readers gain meaning from what they are
reading. Without punctuation, writing becomes lifeless and confusing.
Let’s consider this example.
Your little Johnny is writing a story about a kid called Billy and his teacher.
So Johnny writes: Billy said the teacher is a fool. Now, the actual meaning of this
sentence in Johnny’s story will depend how Johnny punctuates this sentence.
Will it be:
“Billy”, said the teacher “is a fool.”
or
Billy said, “The teacher is a fool”.
As you can see, the meaning of that simple statement is completely changed by the
way it is punctuated.
So punctuation is important. It is also easy to teach to kids if it is taught as they learn
to write. It gets difficult if kids arrive at secondary school and have developed all sorts
of bad habits in their writing simply because no one has taught them the rules of
punctuation.
So if you want to give your kid the edge over a lot of other kids, especially during VCE
years, teach them the basic rules of punctuation. Let’s put you in the role of a VCE
examiner for a moment.
The peak time of the year for you is November when you have VCE exam papers to
mark. You spend weeks, full time, just marking exam papers, one after the other. It is
repetitive and tiring work.
You often get surprised by the sloppy work some students hand in. You find some
papers almost impossible to read. They are disjointed, poorly punctuated and hard
to understand. This makes you frustrated at the waste of effort by some studentsstudents who have worked for 12 months at their studies and then hand in poorly
written and sloppy exam papers.
Then you come across a really A Grade paper.
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Punctuation Rules For Kids
It’s neatly written, easy to read with short sentences and punctuated well. It really
stands out amongst a lot of the other papers.
So the lesson here is, you can put your kids in front of the pack and give them an edge,
by teaching them to write neat and well punctuated answers to exam questions. You’ve
got no time to lose, so let’s get started now.
Basically, there are only 7 rules that kids need to know and they are really straight
forward. So let’s have a look at the first rule of punctuation. I’m going to call your kid
Johnny throughout these lessons as it helps me explain things clearly.
Before we start teaching Rule 1, you need to explain to your kid (let’s call him Johnny)
two things about punctuation:
1. We punctuate as we read. If we pause at a word as we read a sentence, then
we need to put a punctuation pause in.
2. Over-punctuation is as confusing as having no punctuation. So only use the
punctuation marks you need to get the meaning right.
Copyright © 2009 Aussie Kids Coach
This book of Punctuation Rules is written for parents to help
their kids learn how to punctuate and is offered as information only.
There is no guarantee of success, either written or implied.
The author/publisher specifically disclaims any personal liability, loss, or risk incurred,
as a result of any advice or information presented herein.
Aussie Kids Coach
P O Box 281
Stawell, Victoria
Australia, 3380
Phone: 03 53581146
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aussiekidscoach.com
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Punctuation Rule 1How To End Sentences
There are only three symbols used to end sentences. They are:
The Full Stop- the most common way to end a sentence. It is simply a dot
like this . and in some countries is called a Period.
The Question Mark- used to end a sentence that is a question. It is written
like this ?
The Exclamation Mark- written like this ! and used to end a sentence that
makes an exclamation such as Oh! or Listen! or Good luck to you!
Now we will look at each of these punctuation marks in detail and I’ll give you
some examples for Johnny to practise with.
1. The Full Stop marks a long pause in reading. When Johnny is writing, teach
him to use the full stop to keep his sentences short, concise and their meaning
clear.
Here is an example where Johnny is writing about a trip to the zoo:
At the zoo I saw some lions and tigers, I had an ice-cream while I watched
the seals.
Johnny has used a comma in this sentence- it really needs a full stop because the
sentence has a long pause between the two ideas. It reads much better as:
At the zoo I saw some lions and tigers. I had an ice-cream while I watched
the seals.
Now ask Johnny to fill in the full stops to make this passage read clearly:
The book tells the story of a young farm boy named Eragon, who finds a
mysterious stone in the mountains a dragon named Saphira hatches from
the stone, which was really an egg when King Galbatorix finds out about
Eragon and his dragon, he sends his servants after them in an effort to
capture them Eragon and Saphira are forced to flee from their hometown,
and decide to search for the Varden, a group of rebels who want to see the
downfall of Galbatorix
You can go to the Check Your Answers pages at the end of this book to see how
well Johnny did.
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Punctuation Rule 1How To End Sentences - continued
2. The Question Mark is used at the end of a direct question or after a statement
that really is a question.
For example:
Is it really a dragon? is a direct question.
You really intend to fight him? is a statement that really is a question.
Ask Johnny to put in a Full Stop or a Question Mark to finish these sentences:
Who finds a mysterious stone
Eragon is a boy from a farm
You really intend to ride the dragon
How do we find Galbatorix
King Galbatorix sends servants to capture Saphira
3. The Exclamation Mark is used to indicate an exclamation or an exclamatory
sentence.
For example:
Hurrah! an exclamation
I wish you were here! an exclamatory sentence
Ask Johnny to write 3 exclamations here:
•
•
•
Then ask Johnny to punctuate this passage by finishing the sentences correctly:
Eragon and Saphira flew to Eragon Eragon said to the guard, “Where
is King Galbatorix today ” The guard replied, “Get Out ” So Eragon and
Saphira flew away
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Punctuation Rule 2How To Use Capital Letters
This rule is all about teaching Johnny when to use a Capital Letter. There are 8
reasons why a Capital letter should be used in our writing.
Here are the 8 reasons:
Reason 1. To begin every sentence.
Here is an example:
The sentence, what time do you think it is, is correctly punctuated as, What
time do you think it is?
Here is a sentence for Johnny to practice on:
how do we start and finish this sentence
(Remind Johnny to apply Punctuation Rule 1 while practising on these
Punctuation Rule 2 examples)
Reason 2. At the beginning of a quotation.
You should explain to Johnny that a quotation is when we write what people are
saying. The spoken piece, or quotation, should start with a Capital Letter.
Here is an example:
The sentence, the young girl walked up to me and said can you help me is
correctly punctuated as, The young girl walked up to me and said, “Can you
help me?”
Here is a sentence to practice on:
the old lady asked, “what time is it ”
(We’ll do more on punctuating quotations a bit later.)
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Punctuation Rule 2How To Use Capital Letters- continued
Reason 3. For proper nouns such as names of people, countries, and places.
Teach Johnny that names of people, cities, countries, and things like oceans and
mountains, always start with a Capital Letter.
Here is an example:
The sentence, bill flew in from england and spent a week in ballarat with
ted is correctly punctuated as:
Bill flew in from England and spent a week with Ted in Ballarat.
Practice on this sentence by adding Capital Letters for the names of people, places
and countries:
peter and sally got on the train at stawell and were in melbourne by lunch
time
Reason 4. For names given to things like ships, trains, stars
Here is an example:
The sentence, the hogwarts express pulled into the station is correctly
punctuated as:
The Hogwarts Express pulled into the station.
Here is a sentence to practice on:
the spirit of progress slowly left the station as the pacific queen pulled
out of the harbour
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Punctuation Rule 2How To Use Capital Letters- continued
Reason 5. For important historical events or periods.
Here is an example:
The sentence, the olympic games were held in sydney at the turn of the
century is correctly punctuated as:
The Olympic Games were held in Sydney at the turn of the Century.
Here is a sentence for Johnny to practice on:
when world war 1 finished all the people in sydney danced in the streets
Reason 6. For names of days, months and special days.
Explain to Johnny that he should use a Capital Letter for the names of days
(Tuesday not tuesday), for months (September not september) and for special
days (Christmas Day not christmas day).
However, you should teach Johnny that the seasons, winter, summer, spring and
autumn, do not have to begin with a Capital Letter.
Here is an example:
The sentence, at the start of december we began to get excited about
christmas day and the summer holidays is correctly punctuated as:
At the start of December we began to get excited about Christmas Day
and the summer holidays.
Here is a sentence for Johnny to practice on:
during summer we make it a practice to go to church every sunday as well
as christmas day and new years day
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Punctuation Rule 2How To Use Capital Letters- continued
Reason 7. For titles of people.
Show Johnny that when he writes the names of people who have special titles such
as Queen Elizabeth or Sir Richard Branson, the title uses a capital letter.
Here is an example:
The sentence, sir richard brown rang queen elizabeth and asked her if
princess caroline could be his wife is correctly punctuated as:
Sir Richard Brown rang Queen Elizabeth and asked her if Princess Caroline
could be his wife.
Ask Johnny to practise on this sentence:
king charles of spain asked the bishop of london to marry princess mary
on good friday
Reason 8. For the main words in titles of books, plays and magazines
Here is an example:
The sentence, the women’s weekly and the woman’s day are two well
known magazines is correctly punctuated as:
The Women’s Weekly and the Woman’s Day are two well known magazines.
Here is a sentence for Johnny to practice on:
i read about the new harry potter book, the goblet of fire, in this month’s
copy of rage magazine
To revise the two punctuation rules taught so far, ask Johnny to circle the
punctuation mistakes in these sentences.
Last saturday we went to the melbouRne cricket ground To watch
hawthorn play geelong?
while reading the herald sun I saw a picture of prince harry Visiting a
world war two monument in france!
As the spirit of progress pulled into the Station the conductor yelled “all
aboard?”
Turn to page ___ to correct your answers to the Rule 2 activities.
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Punctuation Rule 3How To Use The Comma
Next we explain to Johnny when to use a comma.
Commas are used to:
1.
Indicate where a reader should pause
At first it will be a bit confusing for Johnny to decide when to use a comma and
when to use a full stop, to indicate a pause. Explain to Johnny that full stops are
used to indicate a long pause. The comma is used to indicate a short pause.
Here is an example:
After Hawthorn kicked the goal, the crowd went wild. We only use a comma
in this sentence because it indicates a short pause. To use a full stop would disjoint
the sentence and cause it to lose its meaning.
Here are two sentences for Johnny to practise on: Copy out each sentence and
concentrate on putting in the commas. Don’t forget to also apply Punctuation Rules
1 and 2 as well.
jason akermanis from the bulldogs is a famous footballer
buddy franklin the champion full forward kicked eleven goals
2.
Separate clauses and lists
Firstly, show Johnny how to separate a list using the comma with this example:
The Geelong forward line consisted of Mooney, Chapman, Rooke, Stokes
and Johnston.
Ask Johnny to practise on this sentence:
in the next few weeks the bulldogs play hawthorn sydney the crows and
carlton
We also use the comma to separate clauses within a sentence. Now we don’t need
to get into the technicalities of clauses here. Just explain to Johnny that clauses
are groups of words inside a sentence. Show him this example:
Scarlett grabbed the ball side stepped two opponents bumped Akermanis
out of the way took two bounces then kicked a goal.
Ask Johnny to punctuate this sentence:
hawthorn lost their first two matches won their next four then lost six in
a row and finally won all their remaining matches
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Punctuation Rule 3How To Use The Comma- continued
This sentence needs some commas to help it read properly:
Scarlett grabbed the ball, side stepped two opponents, bumped Akermanis
out of the way, took two bounces, then kicked a goal.
3. Write a letter
• To mark off parts of the address
• After the salutation- eg Dear Sam
• After each phrase in the sign off section
Show Johnny this letter:
Bill Jones,
14 Jones St,
Ballarat,
3350
Dear Sam,
Yours sincerely,
Now ask Johnny to punctuate this letter with the comma- and Capital Letters.
He can write over the text as required:
dear pam
yours sincerely
Page 10
ian davies
p o box 281
stawell
3380
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Punctuation Rule 3How To Use The Comma- continued
4. Separate a quotation from the rest of a sentence
Here is an example:
The coach said, “Attack the ball at any cost”. Show Johnny that a comma is
used after the word said to separate the quotation.
Ask Johnny to practise on this sentencei said to mum “jason brad steve and pete are coming over to kick the
football”
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Punctuation Rule 4How To Use Quotation Marks
Quotation Marks are sometimes also called Inverted Commas and look like this- “….”.
We use Quotation Marks in our writing for three different reasons:
Let’s show Johnny the example I used in the Introduction. Here is an example of
why marking off the actual words used by a speaker is really important and how it
can change the meaning of a sentence.
Johnny is writing a story about a kid called Billy and his teacher.
So Johnny writes: Billy said the teacher is a fool. Now, the actual meaning of this
sentence in Johnny’s story will depend on how Johnny punctuates this sentence.
Will it be:
“Billy,” said the teacher “is a fool.”
or
Billy said, “The teacher is a fool”.
As you can see, the meaning of that simple statement is completely changed by
the way it is punctuated using quotation marks. I suspect Billy’s short term survival
will depend on him knowing the punctuation rules!!
Practise putting the quotation marks in these three sentences:
The Prime Minister said, No child will be brought up in poverty.
I said to mum, I’d love an ice-cream.
Can we go to the beach tomorrow? I asked dad.
Before we go on to the next two reasons for using quotation marks, I want to
introduce four rules to learn when using quotation marks.
Firstly, a quotation is separated from the rest of a sentence using a comma except
when a question mark or exclamation mark is used in the quotation.
Here is an example:
“I have done my best,” I said. “Is it all wrong?”
Notice the first part of the quotation is separated from the rest of the sentence
with a comma inside the quotation marks. Also notice that the second part of the
quotation is finished with a question mark inside the quotation mark.
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Punctuation Rule 4How To Use Quotation Marks- continued
This brings us to the second rule about quotation marks. Question marks and
exclamation marks are placed inside the quotation marks if they belong to the
quotation. Otherwise they are placed outside the quotation marks.
So in the example above, the question mark goes inside the quotation marks
because it is part of the quotation, “Is it all wrong?”
However, in the example below, the question mark goes outside the quotation
marks because it relates to the whole sentence, not the quotation.
Why did he say, “Go straight home from school”?
Here are three sentences for Johnny to practise these two rules on. Put in the
comma where needed and also; a full stop, a question mark, an exclamation mark,
where needed.
I asked the postman “Has my parcel arrived yet ”
What did you do when he said “Come here ”
“Get lost ” I replied to the bully who was calling me names
Now to the third rule about quotations.
A quotation starts with a Capital Letter.
If the quotation is broken, then the quotation re-starts without a Capital Letter.
“I’d love to go to the zoo,” I said, “and see the new elephant.”
However, the quotation will re-start with a Capital Letter if it is a new sentence.
Here is an example:
“Will I go to school today?” I asked. “I’m feeling much better.”
Here are three sentences for Johnny to practise on:
“where’s my lunch ” I asked “i am starving ”
“amy,” yelled the teacher, “go back inside.”
“can you go the milkbar ” asked dad, “to get today’s paper ”
The fourth rule about punctuating quotations is simple. Always put the full stop
inside the quotation marks like this:
He said, “It’s up to you now.”
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Punctuation Rule 4How To Use Quotation Marks- continued
Reason 2. To mark a quotation within another quotation.
Sometimes we need to write a quotation inside another quotation. When this
happens we punctuate the secondary quotation using single quotation marks like
this- ‘….’
Here is an example:
The teacher asked, “Can you tell me what it means to say, ‘A stitch in time
saves nine’?”
Here are two sentences to practise on:
Dad asked, what do you do when a bully says give me money
Mum said, do as you’re told when the teacher says sit down
Reason 3. To mark titles or sometimes special words.
Occasionally we want to draw attention to special words or a title in our writing.
We can use quotation marks like this:
After the release of Spielberg’s film “ET”, many experts described it as
“superb”.
Here are two sentences for Johnny to practise on:
This year’s Grand Final was described as best ever.
I really think that Peter Pan is my favourite film.
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Punctuation Rule 5How To Use The Apostrophe
Punctuation Rule 5- How To Use The Apostrophe
In this rule we teach Johnny how to use the Apostrophe ( ’ ).
The Apostrophe is used:
1.
In words that have been contracted
When we speak the English language, we often run words together. Words like can
not become can’t, should not becomes shouldn’t. These streamlined words are
called contractions. When we write these contracted words we use an apostrophe
to show where we have left one or more letters out. So in the spelling of shouldn’t,
the apostrophe indicates we have left out the o.
Here are some common contractions that Johnny should know about:
can’t (cannot)
o’clock (of the clock)
you’re (you are)
we’re (we are)
isn’t (is not) don’t (do not) they’re (they are)
shouldn’t (should not)
he’s /she’s (he is/she is)
wouldn’t (would not)
I’m (I am)
aren’t (are not)
I’ll (I will)
couldn’t(could not)
Here are six common contractions. Ask Johnny to write out the extended form
beside them.
can’t = hadn’t =
let’s = mustn’t =
he’d = we’ve =
Here are some word pairs that we often contract.
See if Johnny can write the contraction beside each pair of words.
I have = has not =
there is =
does not =
you have = are not =
Here are some jumbled up contractions.
See if Johnny can unjumble them.
t’dno =
eenwt’r =
esh’ =
stwn’a =
dlu’cotn =
st’ni =
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Punctuation Rule 5How To Use The Apostrophe- continued
Ask Johnny to fill the gaps in these sentences using a contraction:
I wish behave himself.
We light a fire in the open during summer.
I been to the doctor yet.
If you study hard
do better in your exams.
If that dog keeps chasing cars he
2.
live much longer.
To show that a word is possessive.
This can get a bit tricky and even the experts disagree on some of the finer points
of using the apostrophe for this purpose. However, as far as Johnny is concerned,
teach him to use the apostrophe to show possession like this:
• Before the ‘s’ in singular words such as Tom’s book
• After the ‘s’ in words that are plural. eg the girls’ shelter sheds
Here are two more examples:
The dog’s collar is blue.
The mens’ toilets are over there.
Ask Johnny to place the apostrophe into these plural words:
The dogs collar was missing.
The dogs kennels were under a shady tree.
I put the dogs bone in the bin.
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Punctuation Rule 6How To Use The Dash & Hyphen
Let’s start out by making it very clear to Johnny that a dash and a hyphen are two
very different punctuation marks even though the same symbol is used for them
both (-). Using the same symbol for 2 different reasons causes great confusion so
it’s important we teach Johnny to distinguish between the two.
Teach Johnny to use a dash to:
1.
Indicate a change of thought.
Here are two examples:
The service was terrible-and they expected a tip.
“But you can’t-No! You can’t have changed your mind.” she cried.
Ask Johnny to place a dash in these sentences:
It was a wonderful day until it all went wrong.
“He’s a lovely dog Oh! Don’t bite!” he said.
We were in front all day until the last 30 seconds.
2.
Indicate an unfinished or interrupted sentence
Sometimes sentences are interrupted or even left unfinished so show Johnny how
to use a dash to indicate this.
Here is an example:
I was walking along the road when- … What was that?
Ask Johnny to place the dash in these sentences:
“But didn’t you say …Oh! I am sorry.”
It was a lovely drive and everyone was …Crash.
3.
Gather together a number of subjects
Here is an example:
Ted Whitten, Ron Barassi, Bobby Skilton, Lou Richards-all were legends
of the game.
Ask Johnny to put the dash in these sentences:
Wives, daughters, sisters all were silent as the rescuers removed the
fallen rock.
Brad, Stevo, Billy, Shorty, Clive all helped to rebuild my house.
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Punctuation Rule 7How To Use The Colon & Semi Colon
The semi colon (;) and the colon (:) are punctuation marks to mark longer pauses
than a comma marks. So teach Johnny that a semi colon is mainly used to separate
the main parts of a sentence when the comma is also used.
Here is an example:
Barassi was a loud, animated and demanding coach; Jeans used a
measured, quiet and reflective approach.
Here are two sentences for Johnny to practise on:
Autumn saw the trees covered in red, yellow and orange leaves winter
saw them covered in ice, frost and snow.
Bill rode around the corner, up the hill and over the bridge Ted took the
shorter track along the river.
Next, explain to Johnny, the colon indicates an even longer pause than the semi
colon; in fact a pause almost as long as a full stop. So teach Johnny to use a
colon as a mark of anticipation which introduces lists, explanations, definitions, or
quotations.
Here is an example:
These are the capital cities of the Australian states: Melbourne, Sydney,
Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Brisbane.
Now ask Johnny to put the colon into these sentences:
Our footy competition has six sides Hawks, Bombers, Cats, Lions, Crows
and Swans.
I’m off to the supermarket to buy milk, bread, apples, sugar and tea.
Johnny has now completed this book. If he has learnt well Johnny now
knows and applies the 7 punctuation rules he needs to write well.
FREE PUNCTUATION TEST I am making a free punctuation test available to Johnny.
Here’s how this works:
1.
Email me at [email protected] Tell me that Johnny( please
provide your kid’s name and your email address) has completed the 7
punctuation rules.
2.
I will email you a free punctuation test for Johnny to complete.
3.
Mail the test back to me.
4.
I mark the test and send you a written report on Johnny’s results. I also
send Johnny a free Certificate of Achievement.
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Punctuation Rules For Kids
Check Your Answers Here:
Punctuation Rule 1 - How To End Sentences
The book tells the story of a young farm boy named Eragon, who finds a mysterious
stone in the mountains. A dragon named Saphira hatches from the stone, which
was really an egg. When King Galbatorix finds out about Eragon and his dragon, he
sends his servants after them in an effort to capture them. Eragon and Saphira are
forced to flee from their hometown. They decide to search for the Varden, a group
of rebels who want to see the downfall of Galbatorix.
Who finds a mysterious stone?
Eragon is a boy from a farm.
You really intend to ride the dragon?
How do we find Galbatorix?
King Galbatorix sends servants to capture Saphira.
Eragon and Saphira flew to Eragon. Eragon said to the guard, “Where is King
Galbatorix today?” The guard replied, “Get Out!” So Eragon and Saphira flew away.
Punctuation Rule 2 - How To Use Capital Letters
How do we start and finish this sentence?
The old lady asked, “What time is it ?”
Peter and Sally got on the train at Stawell and were in Melbourne by lunch time.
The Spirit of Progress slowly left the station as the Pacific Queen pulled out of the
harbour.
When World War 1 finished all the people in Sydney danced in the streets.
During summer we make it a practice to go to church every Sunday as well as
Christmas Day and New Years Day.
King Charles of Spain asked the Bishop of London to marry Princess Mary on Good
Friday.
I read about the new Harry Potter book, The Goblet of Fire, in this month’s copy
of Rage Magazine.
Revision.
Last Saturday we went to the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch Hawthorn play
Geelong.
While reading the Herald Sun I saw a picture of Prince Harry visiting a World War
Two monument in France.
As the Spirit of Progress pulled into the station the conductor yelled “All aboard!”
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Check Your Answers Here:
Punctuation Rule 3 - How To Use The Comma
Jason Akermanis from the Bulldogs, is a famous footballer.
Buddy Franklin, the champion full forward, kicked eleven goals.
In the next few weeks the Bulldogs play Hawthorn, Sydney, the Crows and Carlton.
Hawthorn lost their first two matches, won their next four, then lost six in a row,
and finally won all their remaining matches.
dear pam
ian davies
p o box 281
stawell
3380
yours sincerely
I said to mum, “Jason, Brad, Steve and Pete are coming over to kick the football”.
Punctuation Rule 4 - How To Use Quotation Marks
The Prime Minister said, “No child will be brought up in poverty”.
I said to mum, “I’d love an ice-cream”.
“Can we go to the beach tomorrow?” I asked dad.
I asked the postman, “Has my parcel arrived yet?”
What did you do when he said, “Come here”?
“Get lost!” I replied, to the bully who was calling me names.
“Where’s my lunch?” I asked, “I am starving.”
“Amy!” yelled the teacher, “Go back inside.”
“Can you go the milkbar,” asked dad, “to get today’s paper?”
Dad asked, “What do you do when a bully says, ‘give me money’?”
Mum said, “Do as you’re told when the teacher says, ‘sit down’.”
This year’s Grand Final was described as “best ever”.
I really think that “Peter Pan” is my favourite film.
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Check Your Answers Here:
Punctuation Rule 5- How To Use The Apostrophe
can’t = can not
mustn’t = must not
hadn’t = had not
let’s = let us
he’d = he would or he had
we’ve = we have
I have = I’ve
has not = hasn’t
does not = doesn’t
you have = you’ve
t’dno = don’t
eenwt’r = weren’t
esh’ = he’s
stwn’a = wasn’t
dlu’cotn = couldn’t
st’ni = isn’t
there is = there’s
are not = aren’t
I wish he’d behave himself.
We shouldn’t light a fire in the open during summer.
I haven’t been to the doctor yet.
If you study hard you’ll do better in your exams.
If that dog keeps chasing cars he won’t live much longer.
The dog’s collar was missing.
The dogs’ kennels were under a shady tree.
I put the dog’s bone in the bin.
Punctuation Rule 6- How To Use The Dash & Hyphen
It was a wonderful day-until it all went wrong.
“He’s a lovely dog-Oh! Don’t bite!” he said.
We were in front all day-until the last 30 seconds.
“But didn’t you say-…Oh! I am sorry.”
It was a lovely drive and everyone was-…Crash.
Wives, daughters, sisters-all were silent as the rescuers removed the fallen rock.
Brad, Stevo, Billy, Shorty, Clive-all helped to rebuild my house.
Page 21
A Basic Parent’s Guide To…
Punctuation Rules For Kids
Check Your Answers Here:
Punctuation Rule 7- How To Use The Colon & Semi CoAutumn saw the trees covered in red, yellow and orange leaves; winter saw them
covered in ice, frost and snow.
Bill rode around the corner, up the hill and over the bridge; Ted took the shorter
track along the river.
Our footy competition has six sides: Hawks, Bombers, Cats, Lions, Crows and
Swans.
I’m off to the supermarket to buy: milk, bread, apples, sugar and tea.
Page 22
...and what you can do about it!
“Something has to be wrong with the education
system... How can someone pass VCE without having
even primary school level skills in maths and English?”
Dr Michelle Trevilyan
Punctuation is one of the key areas of illiteracy in kids, and
parents want to know why their kids are having so much
trouble with it, and what they can do to help.
Punctuation Rules For Kids, provides a structured framework
for parents to help their kids learn Primary School punctuation.
Every Aussie parent will applaud this simple approach to
improve kid’s writing standards.
“Committed to elevating kid’s literacy levels through
teaching excellence.”
Ian Davies, Dynamic Teaching Tools
Written and Published by Dynamic Teaching Tools