Adding Punctuation to Sentences: The Period

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

Correct punctuation in the text that we read makes our reading easier and better understood!

A period is used at the end of a sentence, which is one complete thought.

A sentence that makes a statement is called a declarative or telling sentence. These sentences are punctuated with a period.

Here are some examples.

The dog chased the cat up a tree.

Mom told me I had to go to bed.

I like to draw and color.

Our family went to the beach last summer.

Note that each sentence ends with a period.

• What happens when you don't put a period at the end of a sentence?

You will have sentences that run on and on and seem to run into the next sentence!

Look at this statement.

Today, we went to the library it was fun listening to storytime I checked out three books about dogs.

• Do you see how the sentences run together with no place to pause?

This is confusing!

Look at the statement again with correct punctuation.

Today, we went to the library. It was fun listening to storytime. I checked out three books about dogs.

Look at another example.

Yesterday, we went to the zoo I got to see many different kinds of animals the baby apes were so cool they were so funny and cute I liked the way they jumped from branch to branch in the tress apes like to have fun.

• Did you notice how the sentences run together, making reading hard?

Now, look at it with correct punctuation!

Yesterday, we went to the zoo. I got to see many different kinds of animals. The baby apes were so cool. They were funny and cute. I liked the way they jumped from branch to branch in the trees. Apes like to have fun!

• This is much easier to read, isn't it?

• Are you ready to practice using periods?

If you are, head over to the Got It? section now.