Lesson 1, Topic 1
In Progress

B8/JHS2.3.2.1.1. Use punctuation marks (colon, semi-colon, apostrophe) in context

Judith Kpakpo

Indicator: B8/JHS2.3.2.1.1
Topic: Punctuation Marks – Colon, Semi-colon, Apostrophe
 

🎯 Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, learners will be able to:

  1. Identify colons, semi-colons, and apostrophes in context.

  2. Explain their functions clearly.

  3. Use them correctly in sentences and writing tasks.

🧠 Punctuation Brain Teaser

My mother said I need four things sugar milk bread and rice

What’s missing in this sentence?
 “Punctuation?” – especially colon ?

 ✍️ Step-by-Step Explanation & Examples

🔹 1. Colon (:)

This may contain: two black dots on a white background

Used to:

  • Introduce a list:

    • I bought the following: rice, oil, tomatoes, and onions.

  • Introduce speech in plays:

    • Teacher: Please sit down.

  • Separate chapters from verses:

    • John 3:16

  • Separate hours from minutes:

    • The time is 7:30 p.m.

 

 

🔹 2. Semi-colon (;)

This may contain: a black and white photo with the letter c in it's center, surrounded by smaller letters

Used to:

  • Link two related independent clauses:

    • Ama loves to read; she goes to the library daily.

  • Separate items in a list that has commas:

    • I’ve lived in Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; and Nairobi, Kenya.

 🔹 3. Apostrophe (’)

This may contain: the letter q is made up of black letters

Used to:

  • Show possession (singular and plural nouns):

    • The boy’s book / The girls’ classroom

  • Show indefinite case of possessive pronouns:

    • One’s duty should be taken seriously.

  • Show possessive form of compound nouns:

    • My brother-in-law’s car is new.

  • Show names of business firms:

    • Kwame’s Bakery, Ama’s Boutique

  • Show contractions:

    • Don’t (do not), It’s (it is), You’re (you are)

✍️ Activity 1 – Identify and Label 

Write the following in your book.

  1. I need the following items: pens, books, and pencils.

  2. The bell rang at 8:00 a.m.

  3. It’s my friend’s birthday today.

  4. We visited Tamale, Ghana; Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso; and Lome, Togo.

  5. She was tired; she had worked all day.

✔️ label each mark as colon, semi-colon, or apostrophe.

🖊️ Activity 2 – Construct Sentences

write:

  • Two sentences using colons.

  • Two sentences using semi-colons.

  • Two sentences using apostrophes (possession and contraction).

 

✅ Assessment  

Punctuate the paragraph below correctly:

the players arrived at 9 30 am they brought three things jerseys boots and water bottles its everyones duty to be prepared the coachs voice was loud he said we must win this match

✏️ Rewrite the paragraph using colons, semi-colons, apostrophes, and correct punctuation.

 🧠 Recap (5 mins)

Quick Q&A:

  • When do we use a colon?

  • What’s the difference between a colon and a semi-colon?

  • How do we show possession with an apostrophe?

✏️ PUNCTUATION WORKSHEET – Basic 8

Topic: Using Colon, Semi-colon, and Apostrophe

Section A: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Punctuation Mark

Write (:), (;), or (’) in each blank space.

  1. I need the following items ___ rice, oil, sugar, and pepper.

  2. The time is 6___45 p.m.

  3. Kwame’s father is a teacher at St. Michael___s School.

  4. We visited Accra, Ghana___ Lagos, Nigeria___ and Lome, Togo.

  5. The teacher said___ “Bring your homework tomorrow.”

  6. She didn___t go to the market today.

  7. My sister-in-law___s dress is beautiful.

Section B: Choose the Correct Option

Circle the correct punctuation mark in each sentence.

  1. The girls (’, ;, 🙂 dresses were neatly folded.

  2. Let’s meet at 7 (’, :, 😉 30 a.m.

  3. They wanted the following (’, ;, 🙂 books, pens, and rulers.

  4. I’m tired (’, ;, 🙂 I stayed up all night.

  5. Ama said (’, ;, 🙂 “I will be late.”

Section C: Rewrite the Sentences with Correct Punctuation

  1. its the students responsibility to clean the board.
    → __________________________________________________________

  2. I went to Kumasi Ghana Accra Ghana and Ho Ghana.
    → __________________________________________________________

  3. My brothers car is new.
    → __________________________________________________________

Section D: Creative Task

  1. Write 2 sentences using a colon.
    → a. ______________________________________________________
    → b. ______________________________________________________

  2. Write 2 sentences using a semi-colon.
    → a. ______________________________________________________
    → b. ______________________________________________________

  3. Write 2 sentences using apostrophes for possession and contraction.
    → a. ______________________________________________________
    → b. ______________________________________________________