Day 18: Colons Lesson Plan and Final Script & Storyboarding
Bring precision and finality to the creative process. In Day 18 of the Grade 9 English course, students master a colons lesson plan to add sophistication and clarity to their writing. This session serves as the final in-class workshop for the storyboard activity and scripting lesson, providing students the opportunity to apply their new punctuation skills to their final narrative submissions.
75 Minutes | Key Concepts: Colons Lesson Plan, Punctuation for Emphasis, Project Finalization, Narrative Polish
Learning Goals and Standards
By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:
- Identify correct situations for using a colon in a sentence
- Use colons to introduce lists, explanations, and quotations
- Recognize how colons add clarity and emphasis in writing
- Distinguish between correct colon use and incorrect mid-sentence insertion
- Apply colon punctuation accurately in their own sentences
Aligned Global Competencies / Standards / ELA Curriculum
This lesson supports international secondary English expectations such as:
Ontario Curriculum Alignment (ENL1W)
Strand B: Foundations of Language — Demonstrating understanding of punctuation conventions used to communicate meaning clearly (B2.3)
Strand B: Foundations of Language — Use knowledge of language conventions, including specialized punctuation like colons, to communicate clearly and effectively. (B3.1)
Strand D: Creating Texts — Applying appropriate grammar and punctuation when composing texts (D2.2)
Common Core (Grades 9–10 Language)
Demonstrate command of conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing (L.9–10.2)
IB Language & Literature (ATL Skills)
Develop accuracy and clarity in written communication through control of syntax and punctuation
Cambridge IGCSE English Language
Use punctuation accurately to support meaning and organization in writing
OECD Global Competence Framework
Communicate ideas clearly using appropriate written conventions
UNESCO Literacy Framework
Strengthen foundational writing accuracy through correct grammatical structures
Resources for the Colons Lesson Plan
Bell Ringer
“Colon or No Colon?” (5 minutes)
Write these two sentences on the board:
I brought three things to class: a notebook, a pencil, and a novel.
I like things such as: pizza, hockey, and movies.
Ask students:
Which sentence uses the colon correctly? Why?
Students quickly notice that a colon should follow a complete sentence, not a phrase like such as. This reinforces the key rule that a colon introduces information that explains or completes what comes before it.
Lesson Flow for the Colons Lesson Plan
1. Silent Reading – 15 minutes
As always, we’ll begin with 15 minutes of quiet, independent reading. This routine gives students a calm start to class and helps them settle into a focused mindset before transitioning into writing and grammar work.
2. Colons Lesson
After reading, we’ll move into a short lesson on colons. This is a great opportunity to remind students that punctuation isn’t just about correctness—it’s about clarity and style. Colons can introduce lists, explanations, and emphasis in powerful ways. Here is the complete colons lesson plan, or you could have students copy down the following chart for a quick version:
| Colon Usage | The Rule | Example |
| Introducing Lists | Use after a complete sentence to start a list. | I have three goals: write, edit, and submit. |
| Emphasis | Use to draw attention to a single word or phrase. | There was only one thing left to do: win. |
| Clarification | Use to join two clauses when the second explains the first. | The script was a success: every student finished. |
| Quotations | Use to introduce a long or formal quote. | The director shouted: “Lights, camera, action!” |
3. Final Day for Script & Storyboarding
The rest of the period is dedicated to finishing their script and storyboard projects. Students should be reminded this is the last day for in-class work on these assignments. Encourage them to refine their dialogue, tighten up their visuals, and ensure the storyboard clearly reflects their script’s flow. Walking around to offer feedback, encouragement, and time management tips can help keep them on track.
Teacher Tips
Circulate and Conference: Take a few minutes with each student or group to check their progress. Offer specific praise and one suggestion for improvement.
Set Clear Deadlines: Remind students when final projects will be submitted and what elements you’re looking for.
Celebrate Effort: This is the end of a big creative project, so take a moment to acknowledge how far students have come in the process.
First-Hand Suggestions
Students often think colons are just “fancier commas,” so I focus on showing that a colon signals something important is coming next. When students understand that a colon creates emphasis and introduces explanation, they start using it more confidently and accurately in their own writing.
Differentiation for the Colons Lesson Plan
For Students with IEPs
- Provide sentence frames with blanks before lists
- Use color coding to separate independent clause and colon portion
- Model correct vs incorrect colon placement visually
- Reduce number of required practice sentences if needed
- Allow verbal explanation instead of written justification
For English Language Learners
Pre-teach core vocabulary:
| Term | Student-Friendly Meaning |
|---|---|
| colon | punctuation mark with two dots |
| list | several items together |
| explanation | more information about something |
| quotation | exact words someone said |
Strategies:
- Use visual examples instead of abstract rules
- Provide sentence starters:
- “I need three things: ___”
- “There was one problem: ___”
- Compare colon vs comma usage directly
- Practice with everyday classroom examples
Colons Lesson Plan FAQ
How do you explain the ‘Stop Rule’ for colons? The simplest way to teach colons is the ‘Stop Rule.’ A colon must always follow a complete sentence (an independent clause). If the sentence can’t stand on its own before the colon, the colon shouldn’t be there.
Why is Day 18 the final day for the script and storyboard project? Providing a firm final work period encourages students to focus on ‘polishing’ rather than just ‘producing.’ It allows for final peer reviews and one-on-one conferences to ensure all project requirements are met.
Can colons be used in creative script writing? Absolutely. In scripts, colons are often used after a character’s name to introduce dialogue or in stage directions to introduce a list of props or actions, making the colons lesson plan highly relevant to the project.
Previous Lesson: Scripting & Storyboarding Continued
Next Lesson: Silent Reading, Colons Quiz, and “The Curio Shop”
