Activities

1. Given prepared informative/explanatory sentences with items in a series, identify and highlight the commas between items.
   
   
2. Given a list of items, use the serial comma and conjunctions to create sentences with a series of three or more items.    

3. Given prepared sentences strips, correctly place commas in sentences with a series of three or more items.
   
   
4. Given sentences with listed items containing confusing conjunctions, modify sentences with a serial comma to avoid confusion.

5. Given cards with parts of series with commas, write sentences with semicolons to separate the parts of series.
   
   
6. Given an informative/explanatory topic, write sentences, clear of conjunction confusion.  When needed, demonstrate the use of serial comma to clarify items in a series with conjunctions.

Answer Key/Rubric

1. Given prepared informative/explanatory sentences with items in a series, student identifies and highlights the commas between items.  The student also recognizes and highlights the serial comma and the conjunction.  Student understands the serial comma is placed before the conjunction, but is optional.  Some style guides recommend always using the serial comma to avoid confusion.  Student correctly identifies the conjunction (and, or, but).  For example, King Tut’s tomb contained jewels such as necklaces, pendants, buckles, and bracelets.

2. Given an informative/explanatory list of items, student uses the serial comma to write sentences with items in a series of three or more.  Student correctly uses the serial comma and conjunctions to create sentences. Student understands the serial comma rule means using a comma between items in a series and placing a comma before the conjunction (and, or, but).   Student understands the use of serial comma before the conjunction is optional, unless there is ambiguousness or confusion that may occur without the serial comma.  Some style guides recommend always using the serial comma to avoid confusion.  Student is given a prepared list of items found in King Tut’s tomb (jewels, necklaces, pendants buckles, etc.), and then the student correctly writes sentences to include a series of items. For example, King Tut’s tomb contained jewels such as necklaces, pendants, buckles, and bracelets.
   
   
3. Given prepared informative/explanatory sentences strips, with a series of three or more items, the student correctly places commas in the sentences.  The student recognizes the need for a serial comma vs. sentences which can be written without a serial comma.  Then, the student sorts the sentences by Correct With an Serial comma vs. sentences Correct Without a Serial Comma.  The student understands the serial comma rule means using a comma between items in a series and placing a comma before the conjunction (and, or, but).  Student places commas and correctly sorts sentences for items in a series with and without the serial comma.

4. Given sentences with listed items containing confusing conjunctions, the student adds a serial comma to clarify confusion.  The student understands the serial comma rule means using a comma between items in a series and placing a comma before the conjunction (and, or, but).  The student understands it is acceptable to write items in a series without a serial comma before the conjunction.  (I bought bread, milk and cheese.) But, the student recognizes the serial comma should be used to clarify a list if the last item within the list contains a conjunction.  For example, I bought bananas, milk, and bread and butter pickles.  Without the serial comma, bread and butter pickles could be confused for two items.  Therefore, when needed, the student clarifies items in a list with a serial comma.  For example:

• Museums on the National Mall include the Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Botanical Gardens and the National Air and Space Museum. (confusing and incorrect)
• Museums along the National Mall include the Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Botanical Gardens, and the National Air and Space Museum. (correct)  The addition of the Serial comma clarifies the last item listed is a single item containing a conjunction (and, or, but).

5. Given informational/explanatory fact cards with parts of series with commas, the student correctly writes sentences with semicolons to separate the parts.  For example, the student correctly uses semi-colons to combine the parts of a series with commas.

• The Smithsonian’s National Zoo has showcased birds from other zoos.  A cockatoo came from San Francisco, California; an Amazon parrot came from Atlanta, Georgia; and a cassowary came from Houston, Texas.

     The student understands a part of a series is an independent clause (complete thought) which contains a
     comma.  Student understands the punctuation needed to separate the items in the parts of a series is a semicolon.

6. Given an informative/explanatory topic, the student writes sentences clear of conjunction confusion.  The student correctly uses the serial comma rule, when needed, to clarify items in a series with conjunctions.  The student understands the serial comma rule means using a comma between items in a series and placing a comma before the conjunction (and, or, but).  The student understands it is acceptable to write items in a series without a serial comma before the conjunction.  (I bought bread, milk and cheese.) But, the student recognizes the serial comma should be used to clarify a list if the last item within the list contains a conjunction.  For example, I bought bananas, milk, and bread and butter pickles.  Without the serial comma, bread and butter pickles could be confused for two items.

     Given information about Washington, D.C., the student writes sentences with items in a series free of conjunction confusion.

• Washington, D.C. is a popular tourist destination.  Historic sites include the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the White House and the Capitol Building.  (Correct comma use with or without the Serial comma because there are no items with a confusing conjunction). 
• Museums along the National Mall include the Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Botanical Gardens, and the National Air and Space Museum. (Correct use of a serial comma because the last item listed is a single item containing a conjunction.  Without the serial comma, the National Air and Space Museum could be confused for two items.)