CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.2a
The Standard
Use punctuation (commas, parentheses, dashes) to set off nonrestrictive/parenthetical elements.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify words or phrases that add information but are not needed for the sentence’s main meaning. They set those details apart with matching commas, parentheses, or dashes.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can decide whether a phrase is needed for meaning or simply adds information. They place matching punctuation around removable details and explain how their punctuation choice affects emphasis.
Common Misconceptions
- Students often add only the first punctuation mark and forget the matching mark after the extra detail. They may set off information needed to identify a person or thing, which changes the meaning. They may also treat commas, parentheses, and dashes as interchangeable without considering emphasis.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Add punctuation to “My bicycle a gift from my uncle needs a new tire” three times, once with commas, once with parentheses, and once with dashes. Label the version with the strongest emphasis.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs sentence strips to cut apart, test without the optional phrase, and rebuild using comma, parenthesis, or dash cards.
Ask students to punctuate “Mr. Lee our soccer coach runs morning practice” three ways, then explain how each choice changes emphasis.
Play Punctuation Match, where students pair sentence cards with punctuation cards and add both marks around each removable detail.
Have students edit a school announcement by adding punctuation around dates, locations, and side comments that provide optional information.
Free download
Printable L.6.2a Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.6.2a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
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Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
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