6.6 Year 6: using a colon to introduce a list

This Real Grammar KS2 resources pack provides everything that you need to teach how to use colons and semi-colons when writing lists. Pupils will learn how a colon is used to introduce a list and how semi-colons are used to separate longer phrases within the list. Teaching slides, worksheets, games and an opportunity to apply the new learning in a writing task are all included to explore the use of colons and semi-colons with pupils in Year 6 or to revisit this area of learning.

Pupils will need to be familiar with how commas are used to punctuate lists. A Year 2 Real Grammar resource pack on the use of commas in lists is available for pupils who may need to revisit this.

What is a colon?

A colon is a punctuation mark that is introduced in Year 6. It can be used to mark the boundary between independent clauses and can also be used to introduce a list.

How is a colon used to introduce a list?

A colon can be used to introduce a list after an independent clause. An independent clause (also known as a main clause) is a clause that makes sense on its own as a sentence.

Tigers can be found in four countries: Russia, North Korea, China and India.
A variety of equipment is needed to create the circuit: wires, bulb, battery and a switch.

How are semi-colons used in a list?

A semi-colon is used in a list to separate longer phrases.

• Tigers face many threats in the wild: their habitats are being destroyed; poachers hunt and kill the animal for medicines; and tigers are killed or captured if they come to close to communities as their habitat shrinks.
• The circuit can be used to illuminate a range of items: a small table lamp; a nightlight for a child’s bedroom; sections within a picture or painting; or a toy with buttons that light.

What is included in this resource pack?

This pack is divided into five parts:

TEACH

This section includes PowerPoint teaching slides and teaching notes with an optional script to introduce using colons to introduce lists. It can also be used to revisit this aspect of grammar with pupils.

PRACTISE

An independent activity for pupils to practise using what they have been taught, allowing teachers to assess understanding.

REVISIT

A series of short, 10-minute activities that can be used following the TEACH session to revisit and rehearse what has been taught. These may be short writing tasks, grammar games or editing/proofreading activities.

APPLY

A short writing task where pupils can use the grammar skills taught in context to produce independent writing.

REVISE

Five SATs style test questions, including cloze activities and multiple choice quiz questions, based on the grammar that has been taught.

Teachers can choose which section of the resource pack to use according to their pupils’ needs and could use the activities over a series of lessons or weeks

Teacher notes are provided to show how these quality resources could be used with pupils.

How is this resource differentiated?

The PRACTISE and REVISE sections include three activities differentiated for three levels of ability:

• Worksheet 1 for pupils who may need support. Questions will have a lower cognitive domain (what is being asked of pupils) and/or vocabulary used may be simplified where possible.
• Worksheet 2 for pupils working at age related expectations.
• Worksheet 3 for pupils who may need an additional challenge and may be working at a greater depth in this area. Questions will have a higher cognitive domain with more challenging vocabulary.

SUPPORT and CHALLENGE ideas are also included in the teacher notes of each section where relevant, with ideas of how to support pupils working towards the expected standard or at greater depth in this area.

What pupil-facing resources are included?

• TEACH

  PPT slides; model text ‘Maple Class - DT project’

• PRACTISE

  Practise 1, Practise 2 and Practise 3 worksheets

• REVISIT

  Game 1, game 2

• APPLY

  Planning sheet, ideas cards

• REVISE

  PPT slides; Revise 1, Revise 2 and Revise 3 worksheets

Answer sheets for all worksheets are provided, where appropriate.