Colons, semi-colons, hyphens and bullet points revision
I can practise colons, semi-colons, hyphens and bullet points test questions.
Colons, semi-colons, hyphens and bullet points revision
I can practise colons, semi-colons, hyphens and bullet points test questions.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A colon has two functions - it can introduce a list or an explanation. A dash can also introduce an explanation.
- A semi-colon has two functions - to separate detailed items in a list or to join two closely-related main clauses.
- Using colons and semi-colons can improve text cohesion.
- Bullet points are useful in certain non-fiction texts.
- Hyphens are used to join two or more words or parts of words together.
Keywords
Colon - a piece of punctuation placed after a complete sentence that can introduce a list, a question or an explanation
Semi-colon - a piece of punctuation that can join two closely-related main clauses or separate items in a detailed list
Hyphen - a piece of punctuation that can join two or more words or parts of words together
Bullet points - punctuation marks that lay key information out in a non-fiction text
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to identify the correct punctuation for bullet points.
There are very few hard-and-fast rules; the key is to select consistent punctuation throughout the list.
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Colons, semi-colons, hyphens and bullet points revision, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 6 english lesson on: Colons, semi-colons, hyphens and bullet points revision, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 english lessons from the Review, including word class, sentence types, tense, commas and colons unit, dive into the full secondary english curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.