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6th grade · English Language Arts · Unit 8 of 14

Punctuation Power

Colons, scripts and transitions

What your child practices

Using a colon in a formal greeting or after a speaker's name in a script, and putting a comma after words like However and phrases like For example.

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) teks student expectation: 6.10(D) · colons, scripts and transitions

How we explain it

Children can open this short lesson before they practice.

  1. Put a comma after transition words and phrases: However, For example, As a result.
  2. In a script, put a colon after the speaker’s name: LEO: I think we are lost.
  3. Use a colon after a formal greeting and in memo headings: From: Mr. Okafor.

Example: Which transition word shows a contrast: However, Also or Next? A contrast shows a difference or change. “However” tells the reader things are about to turn. Answer: However

Punctuation Power in Texas

In the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), this is unit 8 of 14 in 6th grade English Language Arts, after Roots & Analogies and before Text Forms & Features.

Gradelings describes a child's practice on this unit as Beginning, Approaching, Meeting or Exceeding (Four practice steps). That reflects practice, not a report-card mark: the teacher decides the mark.

Source: Texas Education Agency (TEA)

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    Which sentence uses a comma after a transitional word correctly?

    • However, the game was canceled.
    • However; the game was canceled.
    • However the game was canceled.

  2. Question 2

    Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    • Finally we reached, the summit.
    • Finally we, reached the summit.
    • Finally, we reached the summit.

  3. Question 3

    Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    • Meanwhile; the others waited outside.
    • Meanwhile the others, waited outside.
    • Meanwhile, the others waited outside.

  4. Question 4

    Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    • In addition, the museum offers free tours.
    • In addition the museum, offers free tours.
    • In, addition the museum offers free tours.

  5. Question 5

    Which greeting is correct in a business letter?

    • Dear Dr. Lee:
    • Dear Dr. Lee;
    • Dear Dr. Lee.

  6. Question 6

    Which sentence is punctuated correctly?

    • On the other, hand walking is free.
    • On the other hand, walking is free.
    • On the other hand walking is free.

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