Georgia 3.L.GC.1.40

ELA3rd GradeGrammar, Usage, & Mechanics

The Standard

Mechanics: Use commas after introductory phrases or clauses. (Introduce)

Georgia's K-12 English Language Arts Standards · Language (L) · Grammar Conventions

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify an opening group of words that gives information before the main part of a sentence. They place a comma between that opener and the complete thought.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student correctly changes “After lunch we read” to “After lunch, we read.” The student can write a new sentence with an opener and place the comma correctly.
Common Misconceptions: Students may add a comma after every first word or every pause they hear. They may also miss the comma when the opening group is short or place it inside the opener.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Correct the sentence, “When the bell rings we will line up.” Then explain why the comma belongs in that spot.

Lesson moves

Give pairs sentence strips with an opener and a complete thought, then have them join the parts and place a comma card between them.
Ask students to compare “Before school, I ate breakfast” and “I ate breakfast before school,” then describe what changed.
Play Comma Corner by projecting sentences while students move to “comma” or “no comma” corners and explain each choice.
Have students edit three classroom announcements, such as “When recess ends return the balls,” by adding commas after opening information.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 3.L.GC.1.40, 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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