Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

How to Use Commas for Yes, No, Tag Questions, and Direct Address | No Nonsense Grammar

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

5

Overview

Offset elements are words or phrases that can be removed from a sentence and not lose any meaning. Sometimes the meaning is needed, and so it is important to not use a comma in these instances.

This resource allows students the opportunity to practice comma placement with introductory elements and direct address. 

    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.40

    Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.40

    Vocabulary

    • Demonstrate
    • Command
    • Conventions
    • Standard English capitalization
    • Standard English punctuation
    • Standard English spelling

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Standard English spelling conventions.
    • Punctuation marks and their appropriate usage.
    • Capitalization rules for standard English.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Use correct capitalization in writing.
    • Use appropriate punctuation in writing.
    • Spell fifth-grade level words correctly.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • When writing, they must use punctuation correctly, capitalize appropriate words, and spell fifth-grade level words correctly.
    English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 5

    ELA21.5.40a

    Use commas to separate items in a series, separate introductory elements from the rest of a sentence, set off tag questions, and indicate direct address.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:ELA21.5.40a

    Vocabulary

    • Commas
    • Series
    • Tag questions
    • Introductory elements
    • Direct address

    Knowledge

    • Commas are used to separate groups of words.
    • Commas are used to separate introductory elements, which consist of phrases and words that appear before the main clause of the sentence.
    • A tag question is a question that is added at the end of a sentence; it consists of two basic elements: a verb and a pronoun.
    • A direct address means to direct a statement to a particular person, and a comma is used to separate the person's name from the rest of the sentence.

    Skills

    • Write sentences that correctly use commas to separate words in a series, such as cat, dog, turtle, etc.
    • Write sentences that correctly use a comma to separate introductory elements from the rest of a sentence, such as In the nighttime, people have a harder time driving.
    • Write sentences with tag questions with correct comma usage, such as She didn't forget to call you, did she?
    • Write sentences with direct addresses that correctly use a comma, such as Jackie, are you leaving so soon?

    Understanding

    • Commas are a common punctuation mark that are used for a variety of purposes.
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Audio/Video

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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