Making Punctuation Fun
There are many "orphans" in reading instruction--areas that are vital to reading but which are shunted aside in the overwhelming emphasis on phonics. Punctuation is one of these areas. Whatever attention it does receive is a story of "too little, too late." As a result, for many children, the only punctuation you'll see them using is a period at the end of the first sentence. After that, it's all up for grabs.
The end result is less effective skill in both reading and writing.
Now Elsa Eckart, an experienced teacher, has--at the age of 74--tried to turn matters around through publishing her first book. It is titled Punctuation Celebration. Using poems, she transmits the meaning of most of the central punctuation children need to master. Then through cartoons with a short text, she illustrates the use of the various marks. For example, in defining a dash, she says:
The dash-a punctuation mark-is
more casual than a comma.
So I prefer to think it is
A comma in pajamas.
Oops! I had better mention this.
Remember when you read it
A dash is used to emphasize
The words that will precede it.
For more information, go to http://www.elsaknightbruno.com/punctuation-celebration/
