CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2b

ELA5th GradeConventions of Standard English

The Standard

Use a comma to separate an introductory element from the rest of the sentence.

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify an opening word, phrase, or clause that comes before the main part of a sentence. They place a comma where that opening element ends.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly punctuate sentences beginning with words, phrases, or clauses. They can point to where the opening element ends and the main sentence begins.
Common Misconceptions: Students may omit the comma after a long opening phrase or place it after the subject instead. They may also add commas to sentences that begin directly with the subject.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Underline the opening element and add punctuation where needed: “Before the game Maya filled every water bottle.”

Lesson moves

Give pairs sentence-part cards and a comma tile, then have them build and punctuate sentences with opening elements.
Ask students to write two sentences beginning with “After school,” then explain why the comma belongs there.
Play a comma repair game using cards with correctly and incorrectly punctuated sentences, awarding points for accurate corrections.
Have students find opening elements in classroom announcements, recipes, or directions, then copy and label the comma placement.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.5.2b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.