Speech first punctuation and apostrophes
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Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on learning around singular and plural nouns learnt in the Year 1 grammar unit 'Word class'. Brand new learning in this unit includes rules around punctuating speech first sentences, where the direct speech comes first and the reporting clause comes second. Pupils review how to use an apostrophe for both contraction and singular possession and they learn how to use an apostrophe for plural possession. This unit prepares pupils for learning about new direct speech punctuation in the Year 4 grammar unit 'Apostrophes and speech punctuation'.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Punctuation helps form grammar rules to use the English language correctly.
- Word class helps to form complete sentences that make sense.
- Understanding word class helps us when we are writing.
- An apostrophe is an important piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- An apostrophe can show contraction of two words.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another singular noun.
- Writers can use speech sentences to show a character speaking in a text.
- If a character speaks, the writer must signal this to the reader with specific punctuation.
- Speech sentences are used to show how a character is feeling.
Threads
Why this why now
This unit uses and builds on learning around singular and plural nouns learnt in the Year 1 grammar unit 'Word class'. Brand new learning in this unit includes rules around punctuating speech first sentences, where the direct speech comes first and the reporting clause comes second. Pupils review how to use an apostrophe for both contraction and singular possession and they learn how to use an apostrophe for plural possession. This unit prepares pupils for learning about new direct speech punctuation in the Year 4 grammar unit 'Apostrophes and speech punctuation'.
Prior knowledge requirements
- Punctuation helps form grammar rules to use the English language correctly.
- Word class helps to form complete sentences that make sense.
- Understanding word class helps us when we are writing.
- An apostrophe is an important piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- An apostrophe can show contraction of two words.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another singular noun.
- Writers can use speech sentences to show a character speaking in a text.
- If a character speaks, the writer must signal this to the reader with specific punctuation.
- Speech sentences are used to show how a character is feeling.
Grammar
Speech first punctuation and apostrophes
In this unit, pupils punctuate direct speech for the first time in a sentence where the direct speech comes first and the reporting clause comes second. They review learning around using apostrophes for contraction and singular possession; they also learn to use an apostrophe for plural possession.
5 lessons in unit
slide decks, worksheet PDFs, quizzes and lesson overviews. You can select individual lessons from the Speech first punctuation and apostrophes unit and download the resources you need, or download the entire unit now. See every unit listed in our primary english curriculum and discover more of our teaching resources for primary english programmes.