Georgia 5.L.GC.1.40

ELA5th GradeGrammar, Usage, & Mechanics

The Standard

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

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

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students recognize an opening phrase or dependent clause before the main sentence. They place a comma at the point where that opening part ends.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students correctly separate an opening phrase or dependent clause from the main sentence. They can explain that the comma shows where the opening part ends.
Common Misconceptions: Students may omit the comma because they pause only slightly when reading. They may also place the comma inside the opening phrase or add one after any first word.
How to Assess It: Give students this sentence: “After the final bell rings we will meet by the library.” Ask them to add the comma and explain its placement.

Lesson moves

Give pairs sentence strips with opening parts and main clauses, then have them join each pair and place a comma card correctly.
Ask students to explain how comma placement changes the readability of: “Before eating the dogs waited by their bowls.”
Play Comma Corners by displaying sentences, then having students move to “comma needed” or “no comma” and defend their choice.
Students write three school announcements that begin with openers such as “After lunch,” “Before dismissal,” or “When the bell rings.”

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 5.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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