Georgia 1.L.GC.1.17
The Standard
Mechanics: Use commas to separate items in a series and to format dates, addresses, salutations, and closings. (Introduce)
Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts Standards · Language (L) · Grammar Conventions
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students place commas between words in a list of three or more items. They also begin adding commas to dates, addresses, greetings, and letter closings.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly punctuate a three-item list and a written date. With a model, they can add commas to an address, greeting, and letter closing.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may place a comma after every word in a list or leave out the comma between the last two items. They may confuse commas with periods in dates and letters. They may also add commas at the end of each address line instead of between parts written on one line.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Add commas where needed to May 6 2026, pencils crayons and paper, Dear Ana, Your friend, and 14 Oak Street Rome Georgia 30161.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs word cards for apples, crackers, and juice, plus comma cards, and have them build and punctuate the list.
Compare a note with and without commas, then ask, “Which version is easier to read, and where do your pauses happen?”
Play Comma Sort: students place sentence, date, address, greeting, and closing cards under “needs a comma” or “does not.”
Have students write a postcard to a classmate, including the date, mailing address, greeting, three-item list, and sign-off.
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Printable 1.L.GC.1.17 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.L.GC.1.17, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 6.L.GC.1.49
Mechanics: Use commas, parentheses, and dashes to set off nonessential words, phrases, or clauses. (Introduce)
- 3.L.GC.1.40
Mechanics: Use commas after introductory phrases or clauses. (Introduce)
- 2.L.GC.1.17
Mechanics: Use commas to separate items in a series and to format dates, addresses, salutations, and closings. (Master)
- 5.L.GC.1.48
Mechanics: Use semicolons to separate items in a series or list when at least one of the items already contains commas. (Introduce)
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