Punctuation Pals: Periods, Question Marks, and Exclamation Points!

English Language Arts Grades Kindergarten 4:25 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn about the three special friends that help us understand sentences: the period, the question mark, and the exclamation point! We'll discover when to use each one to make our writing super clear and exciting!

Video Resource

How to use the Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Mark

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 4:25
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Statement Sentence (Declarative)
  • Question Sentence (Interrogative)
  • Exclamatory Sentence

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify a statement sentence and use a period at the end.
  • Students will be able to identify a question sentence and use a question mark at the end.
  • Students will be able to identify an exclamatory sentence and use an exclamation point at the end.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by introducing the topic of punctuation. Ask students if they know what punctuation is and why it's important. Show the YouTube video: 'How to use the Period, Question Mark, and Exclamation Mark' from Miacademy Learning Channel.
  • Statement Sentences (5 mins)
    Discuss statement sentences, also known as declarative sentences. Explain that these sentences tell us something. Give examples like 'The sun is shining.' or 'I like to play.' Emphasize that these sentences end with a period (.).
  • Question Sentences (5 mins)
    Introduce question sentences, also known as interrogative sentences. Explain that these sentences ask us something. Give examples like 'What is your name?' or 'Do you like apples?' Emphasize that these sentences end with a question mark (?).
  • Exclamatory Sentences (5 mins)
    Explain exclamatory sentences. These sentences show strong feelings or excitement. Give examples like 'Wow, that's amazing!' or 'I won!' Emphasize that these sentences end with an exclamation point (!).
  • Practice Activity (10 mins)
    Engage students in a practice activity where they identify the type of sentence and choose the correct punctuation mark. You can use sentence cards or write sentences on the board. For example: 'I like my dog ( ).' (Period) 'Are you happy ( )?' (Question Mark) 'This is so fun ( )!' (Exclamation Point)
  • Wrap-up and Review (5 mins)
    Quickly review the three types of sentences and their corresponding punctuation marks. Encourage students to use these punctuation marks in their own writing.

Interactive Exercises

  • Punctuation Sorting Game
    Create cards with different sentences (statements, questions, and exclamations). Have students sort the cards into three groups based on the correct ending punctuation.
  • Sentence Completion with Punctuation
    Provide sentence starters and have students complete the sentence and add the correct punctuation mark at the end. For example: 'I like to eat...' (period), 'Do you want to...' (question mark), 'I am so...' (exclamation point).

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important to use punctuation marks in our sentences?
  • Can you think of a time you used an exclamation point to show excitement?
  • What are some words that usually start a question?

Skills Developed

  • Sentence recognition
  • Punctuation usage
  • Active Listening

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which punctuation mark do we use at the end of a sentence that tells us something?

Correct Answer: A period (.)

Question 2:

Which punctuation mark do we use when we are asking something?

Correct Answer: A question mark (?)

Question 3:

Which punctuation mark do we use when we are very excited?

Correct Answer: An exclamation point (!)

Question 4:

The sentence 'I like to play' ends with what?

Correct Answer: A period (.)

Question 5:

The sentence 'What is your name?' ends with what?

Correct Answer: A question mark (?)

Question 6:

The sentence 'Wow, that's amazing!' ends with what?

Correct Answer: An exclamation point (!)

Question 7:

Which sentence needs a period at the end?

Correct Answer: I have a cat

Question 8:

Which sentence needs a question mark at the end?

Correct Answer: Can we play

Question 9:

Which sentence needs an exclamation point at the end?

Correct Answer: I won the game

Question 10:

A sentence that tells you something is called a _________ sentence.

Correct Answer: Statement

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

A sentence that tells us something ends with a ______.

Correct Answer: period

Question 2:

A sentence that asks us something ends with a ______.

Correct Answer: question mark

Question 3:

A sentence that shows strong feeling ends with an ______.

Correct Answer: exclamation point

Question 4:

We use a _________ at the end of the sentence: 'The dog is brown.'

Correct Answer: period

Question 5:

We use a _________ at the end of the sentence: 'Are we there yet?'

Correct Answer: question mark

Question 6:

We use an _________ at the end of the sentence: 'I love you so much!'

Correct Answer: exclamation point

Question 7:

Sentences that show you are happy, sad, or surprised use an _________.

Correct Answer: exclamation point

Question 8:

If you want to know something, you ask a _________.

Correct Answer: question

Question 9:

A _________ is used to tell people something.

Correct Answer: period

Question 10:

The sentence 'My favorite color is blue' needs a _________ at the end.

Correct Answer: period

Educational Standards

K.2.PC.5:Students will recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., capitalization of the first word, ending punctuation: period, exclamation point, question mark) with prompting. K.5.W.3:Students will recognize and begin to use periods, question marks, and exclamation points. K.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon discussion rules with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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