Colons: second function
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use the colon to introduce an explanation.
Key learning points
- A colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- A colon is always placed after a main clause.
- A colon can introduce an explanation of the noun preceding it.
- A colon can help to improve text cohesion.
Keywords
Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a main clause that can introduce an explanation
Main clause - a group of words that contains a verb and makes complete sense
Text cohesion - how a text flows to maintain the interest of the reader and achieve text purpose
Common misconception
Pupils may give a consequence instead of an explanation after the colon.
Ask the question 'why?' about the part of the sentence before the colon - the answer should be an explanation not a consequence.
Teacher tip
Throughout work on colons, emphasise that we always have what could be a complete sentence before the colon. Sometimes, this is just one main clause, but at other times, it could be a complex or compound sentence.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following could be used to introduce a list?
Q2.Match the main clauses to the lists that could follow the colon.
French, Spanish and English.
Jun, Jacob, Alex and Aisha.
his watch, his keys and his phone.
Q3.Which of these sentences is correctly punctuated?
Q4.Which of these could come before a question introduced by the colon?
Q5.Which of these sentences is the correct version?
Q6.How do colons help to improve text cohesion?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of the following can a colon be used for?
Q2.Which sentence uses a colon to introduce a list correctly?
Q3.Which sentence uses a colon correctly to introduce a question?
Q4.Which of these sentences contain an explanation following the colon?
Q5.Which of these explanation sentences is correctly punctuated?
Q6.Which of the following could complete the following sentence as an explanation? 'We all wanted to impress Miss O'Neill:'
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Colons: second function, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Colons: second function, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Punctuation unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.