Lesson 8: Using question marks and exclamation marks

✍️ WRITING (40 Lessons) • 🟢 A. Getting Started with Writing

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Objective

I can tell when a sentence is a question or has a strong feeling, and end it with a question mark or exclamation mark.

Materials

Mini-lesson — ? or ! at the end

We can use different punctuation marks at the end of a sentence.

1. Question mark — asking

  • A question mark looks like this: ?
  • It comes at the end of a question.
  • Questions often start with words like who, what, where, when, why, or how.
  • Example: Where is my bag?

2. Exclamation mark — strong feeling or loud command

  • An exclamation mark looks like this: !
  • It shows strong feeling, like surprise, joy, or worry.
  • It can also show a loud command.
  • Examples: Wow! Stop! That is big!

3. Your reading voice changes

  • With a question mark, your voice often goes up at the end.
  • With an exclamation mark, your voice sounds more excited or strong.

4. Still use capitals and spaces

  • The sentence still needs a capital letter at the start.
  • It still needs spaces between words.
  • Only the end mark changes: ? or !

Ask yourself: "Am I asking something or showing a strong feeling?"

Picture strip: "Question or exclamation?"

Guided Practice — Is it a question or a shout?

Use this routine to decide if your sentence needs a question mark or an exclamation mark.

  1. Say a sentence: Try Where is my hat? or Stop right now! Say it in your best reading voice.
  2. Ask or strong feeling? Is the sentence asking something? Or does it show strong feeling or a loud command?
  3. Choose the end mark: If you are asking, choose a ?. If it is a strong feeling, choose a !.
  4. Trace on the pad: On the Tracing Pad, choose a pattern like who, what, or wow!. Write a short sentence and add the correct end mark.
  5. Read with the right voice: For a question, let your voice go up at the end. For an exclamation, use an excited or strong voice.
  6. Move to paper: On your paper, write one question and one exclamation. Check that each one has the right mark.

Think: "Question mark for asking, exclamation mark for strong feeling."

Tracing Pad
Tracing snapshot for print
Tip: Circle your end mark after you write. Say out loud, "This is a question mark" or "This is an exclamation mark."

Drag & Drop — Choose ? or !

First, build each short sentence on the screen. Then copy it neatly on your ruled paper with the correct end mark.

On the device: Drag the words into the correct order. Release inside a slot to drop. Chips stay in their own question.

On paper: Write each sentence with a capital letter, spaces between words, and the correct question mark or exclamation mark.

Canyou helpme ?
Whereis myhat ?
Lookat thatdog !
Stopright now !
Whatis yourname ?

Quick Check — Question marks and exclamation marks

Answer each question about question marks and exclamation marks. This is a gentle 10-question check.

What does a question mark show?

What does an exclamation mark show?

Which sentence needs a question mark?

Which sentence should end with an exclamation mark?

Which word usually begins a question?

How should your voice sound at the end of a question?

How should your voice sound at an exclamation mark?

Which sentence should end with a question mark?

What does a sentence still need when we add ? or ! at the end?

How can you check which end mark to use?

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Exit ticket (student)

I will practice…

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