PunctuationYear 8

Week beginning 16th April 2012

Capital Letters, Full Stops and Exclamation Marks.

Test Opens: Saturday 21st AprilTest Closes: Friday 27th April.

CAPITAL LETTERS are used:

1. At the beginning of a sentence.2. At the beginning of a proper

noun- the name of a person, place, or object. For example, London, Priya, Biro.

FULL STOPS are used:

1. To mark the end of a sentence.2. After initials, for example, John F. Kennedy.3. Following an abbreviation

(shortened word), for example, Jan. (January)

Rev. (Reverend)

How to use Exclamation Marks

1. To show surprise, excitement, fear/shock or anger.

2. To show something is being shouted.3. To show an order is being givenFor example:I can’t wait to meet the Queen!Stop!How lovely to see you!

*You must not over-use exclamation marks, otherwise they lose their impact.

Week beginning 23rd April 2012

Reading Homework

You must do one of the following:• Read the next chapter in the book that you are currently reading• Get a book from the library to begin reading• Read a non-fiction text

Completion Date: Week beginning 30th April

Once you have done this, you must:1. Log on to Fronter and go to our class’ English page. 2. Click on the ‘Reading Review Homework’ link 3. Then enter a brief review of what you have read so far.

I will check the Fronter discussion forum at the end of that week and anyone who has not completed the review will receive a ‘2’ for not completing homework.

Week beginning 30th April 2012

How to use Commas correctly

Test Opens: Saturday 5th MayTest Closes: Friday 11th May

Using COMMAS correctly

1. To separate three or more items in a list.

For example:

They ate pears, apples, plums, grapes and blueberries.

2. To separate clauses (parts) of a sentence.

For example:

The cat, which was grey, hid behind the bins.

Week beginning 7th May 2012

Reading Homework

You must do one of the following:• Read the next chapter in the book that you are currently reading• Get a book from the library to begin reading• Read a non-fiction text

Completion Date: Week beginning 14th May

Once you have done this, you must:1. Log on to Fronter and go to our class’ English page. 2. Click on the ‘Reading Review Homework’ link 3. Then enter a brief review of what you have read so far.

I will check the Fronter discussion forum at the end of that week and anyone who has not completed the review will receive a ‘2’ for not completing homework.

Week beginning 14th May 2012

The Semi-colon

Test Opens: Saturday 19th MayTest Closes: Friday 25th May

How to use a SEMI-COLON

1. To separate two simple sentences, where you might have used and, or , but, then to link them to make a compound sentence. Both parts either side of the semi-colon MUST make complete sense on their own. For example: I only ate one cake for dessert; I wish I had eaten two.

2. To separate groups of more than one word in a list. For example: I took two books; four or five pens; a long ruler; and a set of colour pens.

Week beginning 21st May 2012

Reading Homework

You must do one of the following:• Read the next chapter in the book that you are currently reading• Get a book from the library to begin reading• Read a non-fiction text

Completion Date: Week beginning 11th June

Once you have done this, you must:1. Log on to Fronter and go to our class’ English page. 2. Click on the ‘Reading Review Homework’ link 3. Then enter a brief review of what you have read so far.

I will check the Fronter discussion forum at the end of that week and anyone who has not completed the review will receive a ‘2’ for not completing homework.

Week beginning 11th June 2012

The Colon

Test Opens: Saturday 16th JuneTest Closes: Friday 22nd June

How to use a COLON

1. To introduce a quotation. For example: The writer uses a simile to show how much he loves her: “My love for you is as deep as the ocean,” which shows…

2. Before dialogue in a script. For example: Krina: What’s for lunch? Isobel: Pasta with tomato sauce.

3. To introduce a list. For example: You will need: paper, pens, pencils and a sharpener.

Week beginning 18th June 2012

Reading Homework

You must do one of the following:• Read the next chapter in the book that you are currently reading• Get a book from the library to begin reading• Read a non-fiction text

Completion Date: Week beginning 25th June

Once you have done this, you must:1. Log on to Fronter and go to our class’ English page. 2. Click on the ‘Reading Review Homework’ link 3. Then enter a brief review of what you have read so far.

I will check the Fronter discussion forum at the end of that week and anyone who has not completed the review will receive a ‘2’ for not completing homework.

Week beginning 25th June 2012

How to use Apostrophes

Test Opens: Saturday 30th JuneTest Closes: Friday 6th July

How to use APOSTROPHES

1. To show ownership of an object/ a noun.For example:Emily’s hatIbrahim’s tennis racket

2. To show that letters have been missed out (contraction).

For example:I don’t know what happened.She’ll have to catch up with the homework.

The Amazing Apostrophe

• Watch this video and then try taking the test to check your understanding of how to use apostrophes.

http://www.curriculumbits.com/prodimages/details/english/amazing-apostrophes.html

Week beginning 2nd July 2012

How to use Speech Marks

No Test

How to use SPEECH MARKS

1. Placed around what is being said (dialogue).

For example: Lydia said, “You sit there.”

2. Placed around a quotation from a text.

For example:

The writer uses the simile, “As slow as a tortoise”, to suggest…

Week beginning 9th July 2012

Reading Homework

You must continue to read over the summer holidays, so that you are ready for next year!

It will improve your spelling, vocabulary and sentence structure and stop you from becoming rusty!