Punctuation is a widely known concept in the branch of grammar. The usage of punctuation marks remains universal. There are various types of punctuation marks to showcase different intonations.
Punctuation helps emphasize, pause, and express words with different voice modulation. It is punctuation that enables us to set the tone of sentences. For example, you can have a normal tone for a common statement while you are likely to exclaim an exciting statement.
Teachers and parents can be often perplexed when teaching punctuation. Sometimes, children are likely to understand the concept but not comprehend its practical usage. In such a scenario, online games can be of good help! These online games are designed to engage children in purely learning the concept and understanding its application. As online games are equipped with visually appealing illustrations, children tend to stay focused in the competition of scoring more.
In this post, you will find the list of online punctuation games that helps understand the context of the sentence and the correct usage of punctuation accordingly!
Punctuation marks: Rules explored with practical uses in real life
There are various types of punctuation used in different styles of writing. It is common for students to make mistakes with it when they are not completely aware of the rules of punctuation marks. Check out some basic rules to understand better.
Rule 1: Punctuation Must be Parallel
This means that one punctuation mark should be used throughout the sentence. In this case, when you use a comma or dash with the main clause, the same mark should be provided in the sentence.
Incorrect – The kids, students of Mr. Peter’s class – went to watch the movie
Correct – The kids, students of Mr. Peter’s class, went to watch the movie.
Rule 2: Colon Should be used at the end of the main clause
In this, students often make mistakes because they are not able to identify the main clause.
Incorrect – Coffee is made from: Coffee powder, milk, and sugar.
Correct – Coffee is made with the following ingredients: Coffee powder, milk, and sugar.
Rule 3: Semicolon should separate two different sentences
Most of the time, semicolon usage and application can be a problem. Semicolons should be used to separate completely different sentences and not the attributes of the main clause.
Incorrect – She is beautiful; sweet and happy.
Correct – My new teacher is intelligent; she loves to teach through classroom activities.
Rule 4: Apostrophe should depict Possession or Omission
Students are likely to find apostrophe tricky since it is used in several ways. It should either depict possession of another noun or an omission of a certain part of a word.
Incorrect – I want Peters book’s.
Correct – I want Peter’s book.
Children tend to confuse the use of colons with semicolons or commas. Certain misconceptions and lack of proper understanding make it difficult for students in using the correct punctuation mark as per the context of the sentence. In such cases, exposing them to real-life situations can help build a strong foundation in it. Given below online games are interactive and helpful in providing the practical experience to the learners in getting a hang of using “punctuation” confidently.
Interesting online games to learn punctuation
Have you wondered about the innovative ways to teach punctuation? Online games are helpful to teach punctuation as these games are filled with creative illustrations, sound, and scoreboards. Such games enhance understanding of the concept while keeping kids engaged in the learning process.
1. Punctuation Speed Check
This is an interesting game that challenges students to score and move ahead in the race. The game revolves around the scene of a car race.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- As the game begins, you will be shown different questions at the bottom.
- Each question requires you to choose the correct punctuation mark for your car to move ahead in the race.
- 3 different answers are shown at the bottom and you need to select the right one from these available options.
- Correct and incorrect answers are shown on the bottom left of the screen.
- The game ends once the time limit is over.
As the game is equipped with sound, it helps students pay attention to the game. The game is easy to access and can be played as a fun activity.
2. Punctuation Game
This game is set in a plot of a quiz show. Students have to enter the quiz show, choose the correct answers, and win points.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- As you start, you will be taken to a quiz show where questions will be displayed on the top.
- Each question is related to choosing or placing the right punctuation.
- Each question offers 30 seconds to quickly choose an answer from the options given below.
- The correct answer gets you points displayed on the top right of the screen.
Such a game engages students to score higher and set themselves in a challenging environment. They are likely to develop critical thinking abilities by being quick.
3. Apostrophe Drop
This game is helpful to teach the right usage of placing apostrophes in words. Students can be confused in placing the apostrophe between letters hence, this game brushes the concept.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- As the name suggests, you need to catch each apostrophe as it drops from the sky.
- The base is a hand glove used to catch the apostrophes.
- Different words will be displayed on the glove (youve, dont, wont).
- Here, an apostrophe will drop from the sky and you need to move the glove in a way that the apostrophe drops in the correct position (you’ve, don’t, won’t).
As this game focuses on different words, students get to learn about a plethora of words thereby enhancing their vocabulary. It also creates student engagement due to colorful graphics and sound.
4. Full Stops Game
This game primarily focuses on placing full stops in the correct manner. The game revolves around the plot of snails that help students place a full stop.
- To play the game, click on the start button.
- Now, a sentence will be displayed on the screen.
- According to the sentences, there will be snails at the bottom.
- You need to place the snail at the correct position where the full stop is required.
- If you wish to undo the action, tap on the flower at the bottom right.
As the game is equipped with good graphics, students are more likely to pay attention to placing full stops. It helps them understand how different statements end at which point.
5. Learning Punctuation
This is a creative game where students learn the difference between punctuation marks. The game is helpful and challenging as students have to identify the non-punctuation marks.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- Here, different moles appear from different holes.
- Each mole carries a unique mark (#,@,&).
- Once you find a mark that is not on the list on punctuation, you need to whack that mole.
- When you whack the correct mole, you get a point.
- In case you whack moles quickly, you get extra points as a time bonus.
Such a game is interesting to engage students in learning the concept comprehensively. Here, students also learn to differentiate between various symbols and marks to understand punctuations better.
6. Punctuation Game
The game is set to inculcate knowledge on the two punctuation marks – question mark and full stop. Here, students need to connect the right punctuation to complete the statement.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- As you start, different incomplete statements will be displayed on the screen.
- Below, there will be two options needed to complete the statement with correct punctuation.
- Now, choose the right option and connect it with the above statement.
- The number of correct and incorrect statements is displayed on the bottom left of the screen.
- Once you are done with the first question, use the arrow button to shift to the next question.
Such a game induces the students to critically think about the usage of the correct punctuation. As students understand the right application, they also get to develop their grammatical skills.
7. The Semicolon Wars
This game has an interesting plot around an island theme. Here, semicolons have been asked to move out of the island and you are to save them.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- As the game starts, you will be given various instructions based on the game.
- Here, each statement will be displayed at the moment.
- You now have the power to shoot a semicolon in the given statement.
- There is a time on the top right corner for placing the semicolons.
- Each right semicolon leads to another question.
- You can drag the ship with the mouse and shoot a semi-colon in the desired location.
Such a game enables students to understand the application of semi-colons. As they find different sentences, students are likely to understand the usage and importance of a semicolon in different statements.
8. Rags to Riches
As the name suggests, this online game is set under a plot of getting rich by answering the right punctuation. It offers a quiz-like format that enables users to earn money in the game scenario.
- To play the game, click on the start button.
- Questions will be displayed on the top along with 4 options below.
- Here, you shall have to analyze the question and choose the option to correctly fit punctuations in the statement.
- On the right side, the order of rewards will be displayed.
- Each correct answer gets you financial rewards in the game.
- Even one incorrect answer makes you lose the game and you need to play again.
Such an interesting game creates a competitive learning environment. Children learn to be quick with their understanding to stay ahead and win rewards enabling them to grasp the concept instead of just knowing it.
9. Snow Fight
This is a simple game that helps children understand various punctuation marks. The game is set in a snowy scene with a snowball fight.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- A question will be displayed along with 4 options.
- The right answer takes you to the snowy area for a snow fight.
- Here, snowballs will be thrown and you shall have to tap them to break them.
- After this, other questions will be displayed wherein you need to select the right answer to move ahead.
Since the plot is easy to understand, children can focus on the learning part. It helps them understand the placement of punctuation marks in a sentence.
10. Fun Factory
As the name suggests, the game revolves around the concept of a fun factory. Here, you need to build your own toys.
- To play this game, click on the start button.
- Here, you need to build your own toys by answering questions on punctuation.
- You might have questions with errors and you are required to fix them.
- Each right answer takes you a step closer to your toy-building task by gaining certain parts of it.
This is an engaging online game with creative illustrations. Children learn punctuation and also engage in the toy-making scenario.
11. The Quest of Comma Castle
This entertaining online game is designed with a castle scenario where you need to select the right answers to move ahead in the game.
- Click on the start button to play the game.
- You’ll be shown a castle scene on the left and different options on the right.
- There are various questions on commas, spelling, parts of speech, and capitalization.
- Each correct answer leads to a score displayed on the bottom.
- An incorrect answer prompts you to check the correct answer before moving ahead.
As the game is surrounded by the castle theme, creative illustrations and sound add to the learning environment. Children also get to understand various grammatical concepts in one game.
Conclusion
As punctuation online games can help teachers and parents, it is crucial to change the teaching approach to suit the learning. The concept can also be taught via various worksheets, classroom activities, and books. Certain online websites also help teachers and parents find innovative activities and free study material to offer a universal approach to teaching. As you explore these games, ensure that children also focus on understanding the concept. It is always good to question them about different punctuations in everyday life to help them stay aware of its practical approach.
I am Shweta Sharma. I am a final year Masters student of Clinical Psychology and have been working closely in the field of psycho-education and child development. I have served in various organisations and NGOs with the purpose of helping children with disabilities learn and adapt better to both, academic and social challenges. I am keen on writing about learning difficulties, the science behind them and potential strategies to deal with them. My areas of expertise include putting forward the cognitive and behavioural aspects of disabilities for better awareness, as well as efficient intervention. Follow me on LinkedIn