Are you looking for ways to teach students to use punctuation? If so, keep reading.
1. Get the student to practice using one form of punctuation at a time before going on to another (e.g., period, question mark, etc.).
2. Spotlight punctuation in passages from the student’s reading task. Get the student to explain why each form of punctuation is used.
3. Do not require the student to learn more information than they are capable of learning at any time.
4. Utilize a newspaper to locate various types of punctuation. Get the student to circle periods in red, commas in blue, etc.
5. Make the student proofread all written work for correct punctuation. Praise the student for each correction they make in punctuation.
6. Use appropriate punctuation through charts and overheads for student reference during all creative writing learning activities .
7. Give practice with punctuation using a computer program or hand-held educational device that gives the student instant feedback.
8. Give the student the appropriate learning materials to finish the task (e.g., pencil with eraser, paper, dictionary, handwriting sample, etc.). Make sure that the student has only the appropriate learning materials on the desk.
9. Create a notebook for punctuation rules to be used to help with proofreading work.
10. Acknowledge quality work (e.g., display student’s work, congratulate the student, etc.).
11. Minimize the emphasis on competition. Competitive learning activities may cause the student to hurry and make errors in punctuation.
12. Give the student a list of examples of the forms of punctuation they are expected to use (e.g., periods, commas, question marks, exclamation points, etc.). The student keeps the examples at their desk and refers to them when writing.
13. Teach the student punctuation at each level before introducing a new skill level.
14. Praise the student for using correct punctuation when writing: (a) give the student a concrete reward (e.g., classroom privileges, line leading, 10 minutes of free time, etc.) or (b) give the student an informal reward (e.g., praise, handshake, smile, etc.).
21. Consider using one of the apps on one of our best writing apps lists:
The Tech Edvocate’s List of 31 Grammar & Writing Apps, Tools & Resources
Ten Apps to Help Learners Develop Writing Skills
10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Elementary School Learners
11 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for High School Learners
10 of the Best Grammar and Writing Apps for Middle School Learners
