This ‘Make a Match’ game is a fun way for pupils in Year 5 to learn how commas can provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. Pupils will match images to the correct sentence.
The KS2 resource pack includes a game that you can play as a class or in small groups. It’s also perfect for adult-led interventions to revisit key knowledge and skills.
Once you’ve created the resource you can use it time and time again to rehearse this skill.
What pupil-facing resources are inside?
- 14 Make a Match sentence/phrase cards
- 14 Make a Match image cards
How to use the cards
Game 1: Pupils can match the sentences to the image cards, thinking about how commas change the meaning of the sentences.
Game 2: Distribute the cards and play snap. Pupils can shout snap if they place a matching sentence and image card one after the other.
CHALLENGE: Can pupils create their own sentences demonstrating when you need commas to provide clarity and avoid confusion? They can use the sentence cards as a scaffold.
What is a comma?
A comma is a punctuation mark that you use to separate items within a list or to separate some phrases and clauses within a sentence.
How do they provide clarity?
We can use commas to prevent confusion when writing, for example, by making the subject and object of a verb clear.
Examples of commas to avoid ambiguity
- Let’s eat grandma! (Grandma may be eaten for dinner!)
- Let’s eat, grandma! (We are inviting our grandma to eat with us)
How can I teach using commas to avoid ambiguity?
National Curriculum English programme of study links
Pupils should learn how to use commas to clarify meaning or avoid ambiguity.