Whoa!
Sit like cowboys and cowgirls by straddling chairs. When you come to a period, children pretend to pull back on the reins as they say, “Whoa!”
Walk and Read
Capital - Capital letters are at the beginning of a sentence. They tell you to “GO.” Have children stand every time you come to a capital letter.
Word Walk – Step in place for each word.
Period - Periods tell you when to stop. Sit down when you come to a period.
Question Mark – Shrug shoulders.
Exclamation Point – Jump.
Comma - Hop for a comma.
Quotations -Two fingers in the air and wiggle.
*Children can also take a small step in place for every word they read.
Correct the Teacher
Walk and Read
Capital - Capital letters are at the beginning of a sentence. They tell you to “GO.” Have children stand every time you come to a capital letter.
Word Walk – Step in place for each word.
Period - Periods tell you when to stop. Sit down when you come to a period.
Question Mark – Shrug shoulders.
Exclamation Point – Jump.
Comma - Hop for a comma.
Quotations -Two fingers in the air and wiggle.
*Children can also take a small step in place for every word they read.
Correct the Teacher
Write the morning message and other things on the board and read without proper punctuation. Let children correct you!
*Write nursery rhymes and other familiar poems with unusual punctuation.
Statements and Questions
*Write nursery rhymes and other familiar poems with unusual punctuation.
*Read a story in a monotone voice without pausing to help children realize the importance of punctuation.
Statements and Questions
Seal envelopes and cut in half as shown to make a puppet. Make a period on one side and a question mark on the other side. If the teacher says a question the children hold up the question mark. If the teacher makes a statement they hold up the period.
Handy Edit
Teach children how to edit their work with this “handy” idea.
(Make a fist with your right hand to begin.)
1. If you started your sentence with a capital letter you can stick up your thumb.
2. If you read the sentence and it makes sense you can stick up your index finger.
3. If you remembered to put punctuation at the end you can stick up your pinky finger.
4. Then you can say, “I love my sentence.” (Turn your fist over and you will be making sign language for “love.”)
Handy Edit
Teach children how to edit their work with this “handy” idea.
(Make a fist with your right hand to begin.)
1. If you started your sentence with a capital letter you can stick up your thumb.
2. If you read the sentence and it makes sense you can stick up your index finger.
3. If you remembered to put punctuation at the end you can stick up your pinky finger.
4. Then you can say, “I love my sentence.” (Turn your fist over and you will be making sign language for “love.”)
