Semi-colons: first function
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can use a semi-colon to join two closely-related main clauses.
Key learning points
- A semi-colon is a piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- A semi-colon can be used to join two closely-related main clauses.
- A semi-colon can help to improve text cohesion.
Keywords
Semi-colon - a piece of punctuation that can join two closely-related main clauses
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 struggle with the concept of ideas being 'closely related'.
Semi-colons don't need to show cause and effect or contrast; they are versatile and we should interpret 'closely-related' broadly.
Teacher tip
Emphasise the importance of the idea that the words on either side of the semi-colon could be a complete sentence on their own. You may wish to support some pupils in Task B by providing main clauses for them to match together and punctuate.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What piece of punctuation can be used to introduce a list, a question or an explanation?
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 this sentence as an explanation? 'The cat pounced:'
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What must be on either side of a semi-colon?
Q2.Which version below joins these two sentences correctly using a semi-colon? 'The competition was ferocious. Many players got injured.'
Q3.Match each main clause to a closely-related one to create a sentence that could be joined with a semi-colon.
a special visitor was arriving soon.
not enough adults volunteered to come.
she had been looking forward to it for days.
Q4.Which of the following sentences has the semi-colon in the correct position?
Q5.Tick all the sentences with a semi-colon in the correct position.
Q6.Which of the following sentences uses a semi-colon correctly to join two closely-related ideas?
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Semi-colons: first function, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 English lesson on: Semi-colons: first 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.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 English lessons from the Punctuation unit, dive into the full primary English curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.