Writing with Quotation Marks

Lesson Plan
Teacher: Mrs. Trotter
Fourth Grade

Grade Level:

I. Content and Standards:

Common Core State Standards
L.4.2b use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech
and quotations from a text
L.4.3b choose punctuation for effect
W.4.3b use dialogue and description to develop experiences and
events or show characters responses
II. Prerequisites:
Students will need:
- to be familiar a quote
- to be familiar with quotation marks
- to be familiar with dialogue
III. Instructional Objective:
Students will:
- use commas and quotation marks to mark direct speech in
dialogue
IV. Instructional Procedures: BDA
Before: Teacher and students will review use of commas and
quotation marks in direct speech. Teacher will have students
summarize how dialogue is used to show someone is talking in written
text or a story.
During: Teacher will ask students how they think split quotations
would be punctuated. Teacher confirm (or correct) ideas and students
will complete workbook page 32 in the I do, we do, you do method.
Teacher will also include quotations for text with I do examples and
then we do, you do completion of workbook page 33. Once teacher
confirms all students have mastered the use of punctuation of direct
speech, students will work collaboratively on a written dialogue.
Teacher will provide an example of dialogue and model it on the board.
Students will be randomly paired to work on creating a written dialogue

using proper punctuation. Student pairs will choose one of two

prompts.
1) Write a dialogue between two characters who have just met
for the first time. OR
2) Write a dialogue in which two characters argue about
something and then reach an agreement.
After: Teacher and students will review and discuss the importance of
using appropriate punctuation in noting direct speech and the
advantage of using dialogue in writing.
V. Materials and Equipment:
Teacher
- Grade 4 Journeys teacher manual
Students
- Grade 4 Journeys student book
- Student workbook
- pencil and eraser
VI. Assessment/Evaluation:
Informal assessment will be monitored through student participation of
quotation marks and dialogue discussion. Formal assessment will be
conducted through student completion of notebook pages. Formal
assessment will be conducted through student completion of written
dialogue project rubric (appendix A). Results will be used for additional
instructional planning and to determine future differentiation.
VII. Differentiation: Individualized Activities:
Students will be paired for zone of proximal learning (random) with a
few being paired with a more knowledgeable other to assist those who
may be struggling and to provide a teaching opportunity for those who
may need enrichment.
English language learners may require additional explanation of
terminology and/or purpose of dialogue in writing.
VIII. Technology:
Technology will not be utilized in this activity.
IX. Self-Assessment:
The lesson will be successful if:
- students are engaged
- students can master punctuation for dialogue
- students can create a written dialogue when working with a
partner

Appendix A

Commas
and
Quotation
Marks
Other Grade
Appropriate
Punctuation
Minimum 10
Sentences
(5 each
character)
Creativity Of
Dialogue

Advanced:
3 points
Missed less
than 5% of
commas and
quotation
marks
Missed less
than 5%

Proficient:
2 points
Missed less
than 15% of
commas and
quotation
marks
Missed less
than 15%

Basic:
1 point
Missed less
than 25% of
commas and
quotation
marks
Missed less
than 25%

Below Basic:
0 points
Missed more
than 25% of
commas and
quotation
marks
Missed more
than 25%

More than 7
sentences
for each
character
Dialogue
follows
prompt and
entertains

Minimum of
5 sentences
for each
character
Dialogue
follows
prompt

Less than 5
sentences
for each
character
Dialogue
exchanged
but does not
follow
prompt

Less than 3
sentences
for each
character
Dialogue
does not
follow
prompt and
does not
make sense