Learning Activity

Punctuating Dialogue

Subject Area

English Language Arts

Grade(s)

Overview

This learning activity comes from The HappyEdugator. In this learning activity, the teacher shares the rules for using quotation marks when punctuating dialogue through a clever PowerPoint presentation. Students learn how to give their characters life. Then students choose from prompts and write a page of dialogue to show their ability to use quotation marks correctly.

This activity was created as a result of the ALEX Resource Development Summit.

Content Standards

English Language Arts (2021) Grade(s): 6

ELA21.6.19
Demonstrate command of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics when writing.

Unpacked Content

Vocabulary

Standard English grammar
Standard English usage
Standard English mechanics

Knowledge

Students know:

The conventions of standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Skills

Students are able to:

Demonstrate written command of standard English, grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Understanding

Students understand that:

To clearly communicate in writing, they. must use standard English grammar, usage, and mechanics.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Phase

During/Explore/Explain

Learning Objectives

The students will be able to demonstrate a command of standard English grammar usage with quotation marks when punctuating dialogue.

Activity Details

1. The teacher will show the PowerPoint to the students. The PowerPoint contains a built-in review with answers that can be used as a quick assessment to check for understanding. (The download also contains an assignable quick check on Easel.)

2. The students are then challenged to write a page of dialogue that will show their ability to use quotation marks correctly. Some ideas they may choose from are:

a parent and a child discussing chores
an argument about a play on the baseball field
an apology for a silly mistake
a discussion between a doctor and his patient
a conversation between a boss and an employee
a group of children deciding on what game to play
a dialogue between a customer and a waiter or waitress in a restaurant
a chat between a teacher and a student
a phone conversation between two friends about plans to meet

3. The pages of dialogue written by each student should be posted around the room to share with classmates. The students can carousel around the room to view the pages of dialogue.

Assessment Strategies

The students will be assessed using the built-in review for a quick assessment during the lesson.

The students will also be assessed on the page of dialogue using the Punctuating a Dialogue Rubric.

Acceleration and Intervention

Variation Tips

The page of dialogue can be printed out or students can complete it digitally. The digital version can be found on slide #31.

Related Learning Activities

Background and Preparation

Background / Preparation

The files will need to be downloaded from Teachers Pay Teachers. This is a free resource, but teachers will need to create a free Teachers Pay Teachers account to be able to access the resource.

The printed version for students to write a page of dialogue is on slide #30 and will need to be printed out and copied for the students (one copy for each student).

Copies of Punctuating a Dialogue Rubric will need to be made (one for each student).

Digital Tools / Resources

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Using-Quotation-Marks-in-Dialo…

Approved Date

2022-06-22

Author

Owner (Author)

mgsaboyd

Design by Adaptive Theme

Learning Resource Type