Literacy Focus Commas Marking code: ‘P’ for punctuation. Look out for this marked in your book by your teachers this week so you can learn how you need to improve!

1. Commas for Lists E.g. London, Paris, Madrid and Lisbon are all capital cities. Commas are used to separate words in a list. The word ‘and’’ is used before the final item.

2. Commas to separate additional information Commas are used to separate any extra information that is added. The words enclosed by the commas could be left out without changing the general meaning of the sentence. E.g. Paul Mann, our star player, broke his leg in the match on Saturday.

3. Commas to break up longer sentences into smaller parts –When he saw the pirate ship on the horizon, the captain gave the alarm. –She called as loudly as she could, but no- one could hear her.

Choose three from below and write using full sentences. Try to include the first 3 main uses of commas we looked at. The things in your pockets The furniture in your bedroom The people in your family Things you like to do after school Your favourite TV programmes Your favourite foods

In pairs, discuss where the missing commas should go. 1.Wow that painting you did is amazing! 2.Her room is always a mess however she tries to be tidy. 3. The spoons spatula and whisk belong in the top drawer. 4. We yawn when we are tired sleepy or bored. 5. According to legend a mermaid is a young girl with the tail of a fish. 6. Hey do you think it will be a nice day tomorrow? 7.He walked into the room poured himself a drink and sat down. 8.Matthew please pick that pen up! 9.Kym Parnell the Head of English marched into the room. 10.I like sausages but on the other hand I also like vegetarian food.

Check your answers… 1.Wow, that painting you did is amazing! 2.Her room is always a mess, however, she tries to be tidy. 3.The spoons, spatula, and whisk belong in the top drawer. 4. We yawn when we are tired, sleepy or bored. 5. According to legend, a mermaid is a young girl with the tail of a fish. 6. Hey, do you think it will be a nice day tomorrow? 7.He walked into the room, poured himself a drink and sat down. 8.Matthew, please pick that pen up! 9.Kym Parnell, the Head of English, marched into the room. 10.I like sausages but, on the other hand, I also like vegetarian food.

Count how many commas you think are missing. Put your hand up as soon as you think you have the answer! Take it in turns to add them in on the board. Using a camera we are told is the most popular route into art. However as well as being creative photos are a great way to keep memories. Most of us have a photo album at home. In the old days when I was young taking pictures was hard work. Now with new cameras it’s easy. You just point and shoot. Digital cameras although expensive are really easy to use. You don’t even have to print off pictures you don’t like. You can delete your mistakes before anyone else sees them. Now we can all look like experts.

Proofreading task – answers! Using a camera, we are told, is the most popular route into art. However, as well as being creative, photos are a great way to keep memories. Most of us have a photo album at home. In the old days, when I was young, taking pictures was hard work. Now, with new cameras, it’s easy. You just point and shoot. Digital cameras, although expensive, are really easy to use. You don’t even have to print off pictures you don’t like. You can delete your mistakes before anyone else sees them. Now we can all look like experts.

Game

Summary - Commas Separate items in a list Separate additional information Break up longer sentences into smaller parts