ELA.7.C.3.1

Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and spelling appropriate to grade level.

Clarifications

Clarification 1: Skills to be mastered at this grade level are as follows: 
  • Appropriately use colons.
  • Appropriately use dangling modifiers.
  • Appropriately use ellipses.
  • Appropriately use hyphens.
  • Vary sentence structure. 
Skills to be implemented but not yet mastered are as follows:
  • Appropriately use passive and active voice.
  • Use semicolons to form sentences.
  • Use verbs with attention to voice and mood.
  • Add variety to writing or presentations by using parallel structure and various types of phrases and clauses. 
Clarification 2: See Convention Progression by Grade Level for more information. 
General Information
Subject Area: English Language Arts (B.E.S.T.)
Grade: 7
Strand: Communication
Date Adopted or Revised: 08/20
Status: State Board Approved

Related Courses

This benchmark is part of these courses.
0500010: M/J Personal, Career, and School Development Skills 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
0500012: M/J Personal, Career, School Development Skills 2 & Career Planning (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1001040: M/J Language Arts 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1001050: M/J Language Arts 2 Advanced (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 - 2023, 2023 and beyond (current))
1002010: M/J Language Arts 2 Through ESOL (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1006010: M/J Journalism 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1007010: M/J Speech and Debate 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2021, 2021 and beyond (current))
1009010: M/J Creative Writing 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1009040: M/J Writing 2 (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1100000: M/J Library Skills/Information Literacy (MC) (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1700060: M/J Career Research and Decision Making (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2019, 2019 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
7810012: Access M/J Language Arts 2  (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2018, 2018 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1002181: M/J Developmental Language Arts Through ESOL (Reading) (Specifically in versions: 2014 - 2015, 2015 - 2022, 2022 and beyond (current))
1000012: M/J Intensive Reading 2 (Specifically in versions: 2021 and beyond (current))

Related Access Points

Alternate version of this benchmark for students with significant cognitive disabilities.
ELA.7.C.3.AP.1: Follow the rules of standard English grammar, punctuation, capitalization and spelling appropriate to grade-level with guidance and support.

Use pronouns correctly with regard to case, number and a person, correcting for vague pronoun reference.



 

Related Resources

Vetted resources educators can use to teach the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Lesson Plans

Landmark Supreme Court Cases…Wrap it up! Part 1:

This is lesson 1 of 3 in a mini-unit integrating civics and 7th Grade ELA. In this lesson, students will be reviewing 9 Landmark Supreme Court cases with an interactive PowerPoint. Students will take guided notes while recognizing the constitutional principles and individual rights in these cases and how they have impacted society. Academic vocabulary will be integrated into the lesson with a culminating key academic vocab activity. 

Type: Lesson Plan

A Search for Central Ideas: Examining Florida Wildlife:

In this four-part series, students will read informational texts in the form of brochures created by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission. Students will work in groups to complete a graphic organizer to identify text features, determine the meaning of selected vocabulary, and compare central ideas. Students will also conduct research about Florida wildlife to create an original brochure with a variety of text features.

Type: Lesson Plan

Community and Me:

Students will discuss various ways to get involved in their community and will research current organizations and their roles in supporting community needs. Students will use their research to write a well-developed essay explaining the types of community organizations that are currently involved in supporting community needs and will determine how they might want to become involved.

Type: Lesson Plan

Discussing the Socialite Post Gone Wrong:

In this lesson, students will explore through role play and explicit discussion how can social media accounts impact current or future employment, ethical and legal responsibilities of the employee as it pertains to social media and the potential outcomes of misuse.

Type: Lesson Plan

Work Ethics in Action:

Using the case study, “The Best Customer Service,” students will analyze the server guest satisfaction reviews and employee summaries to determine which employees give the best customer service. Then students will collaborate to determine the employee who is recommended for promotion based on guest satisfaction and write a narrative outcome for the case study.

Type: Lesson Plan

Original Student Tutorials

It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice:

Practice changing sentences from passive to active voice in this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures.

This is Part Two in a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice."  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice:

Learn to distinguish between passive and active voice with this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures.

This is Part One of a two-part series. Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects:

Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in this two-part tutorial.

By the end of Part One, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as the subject of a sentence. At the end of Part One, you'll also practice creating a sentence using a gerund as the subject and a sentence using a gerund phrase as the subject. 

Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements:

Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in Part Two of this two-part series. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as a subject complement. At the end of this tutorial, you'll practice creating sentences of your own with a gerund phrase as the subject and a gerund phrase as a subject complement.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part Two :

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part One:

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: simple past tense and past progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll explore the use of past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. Make sure to complete both parts!

Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All about the Future: Exploring Verb Tenses:

Learn how to use verb phrases in particular tenses to convey specific meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore the use of four verb tenses: simple future, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part Two:

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part Two, you'll work with three perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.  

We recommend that you complete Part One before starting Part Two. In Part One, you'll work with three simple tenses: past, present, and future. Click HERE to view Part One.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All about the Present: Exploring Verb Tenses:

Learn how verbs and verb phrases can convey specific meanings through the use of three verb tenses--simple present, present progressive, and present perfect--in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part One:

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part One, you'll work with past tense, present tense, and future tense.

We recommend that you complete Part Two after Part One. In Part Two, you'll work with three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Click HERE to view Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part Two:

Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence. In Part Two, you'll learn about essential and nonessential phrases and clauses and how to use commas with nonessential phrases and clauses in a sentence.

This is Part Two of a two-part tutorial series. Click HERE to launch Part One. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part One:

Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence in this two-part tutorial series. In Part One, you'll learn about appositives and how to use commas with appositives when they provide nonessential information in a sentence.

When you're done, make sure to complete Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part Two:

Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark--the dash--in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly.

We recommend that you complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch Part One.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part One :

Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark—the dash—in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part One, you'll learn about the en dash and practice using it correctly. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We hope by the end of this series that the dash will no longer be quite so mysterious!

Make sure to complete Part Two! Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: The Ellipsis:

Check out a mysterious punctuation mark, the ellipsis, in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll learn a number of different uses for the ellipsis and apply what you learn to practice using the ellipsis correctly.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Commas:

Don't be mystified by commas! This interactive tutorial will help you better understand how to correctly use this often mysterious punctuation mark. You'll learn several ways commas are commonly misused to help make sure you don't make these same mistakes in your own writing. Then, you'll learn several ways to correctly use a comma. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Apostrophes:

Check out a mysterious punctuation mark—the apostrophe—in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn several important rules and guidelines to help you demystify this punctuation mark so you can use it correctly in your own writing. 

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation: Investigating Commas :

Learn a number of important rules that will help you master the mysterious comma. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how commas are used to separate three or more items in a series and to “set off” certain aspects of a sentence.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Fixing Run-on Sentences:

Learn to recognize and fix one of the most common grammar errors—the run-on sentence—as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Capitalization: A Crash Course:

Learn the rules of capitalization in this interactive tutorial! By the end, you'll have undergone a "crash course" in correct capitalization.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Commas, Commas, Everywhere!:

Review common uses of the comma and learn how it can be properly used to set off nonrestrictive elements--like phrases and words--in a sentence. This interactive tutorial will also give you the chance to complete practice activities to check your understanding.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learning the Ropes: Applying Comma Rules:

Learn how to use commas to connect two sentences, how to use commas with coordinate adjectives, and how to use the Oxford comma. In this interactive tutorial, you will complete practice exercises and read several short passages about primates, including gorillas and baboons.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Get in the Game: Understanding Sentences and Clauses:

Learn how clauses are used to form different types of sentences. In this interactive tutorial, you'll practice identifying four common sentence types: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. You'll also practice rewriting a short paragraph to include these various types of sentences.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Series Winners:

Review commas to separate items in a series, then practice placing semicolons to separate items in a series as you complete this interactive, baseball-themed tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Language Wizard: Active & Passive Voice:

Learn to define and explain active and passive voice in this wizard-themed interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how to transform passive voice to active voice to make your writing stronger.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Text Resource

Grammar and Usage: The Garden of Phrases:

This text resource provides information and examples of the following types of phrases: noun phrase, prepositional phrase, appositive phrase, absolute phrase, infinitive phrase, gerund phrase, and participial phrase.

 

Type: Text Resource

Tutorials

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Using Commas Correctly:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice using commas correctly in sentences. For each practice item, you must use commas in a sentence only where appropriate. After every response, you will get immediate feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Using Commas Correctly:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice using commas correctly in sentences. For each practice item, you must use commas in a sentence only where appropriate. After every response, you will get immediate feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Fixing Comma Errors in Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice fixing comma errors in sentences. For each practice item, you must select the best choice to revise a sentence so that it uses commas correctly. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. 

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Fixing Comma Errors in Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice fixing comma errors in sentences. For each practice item, you must correct the comma error in a sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also provides an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked "Comma Tip” that appears with feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Avoiding Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice avoiding misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must determine how to complete a sentence to avoid a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must select only the sentence that does not contain a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must identify whether a sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must select only the sentence that does not contain a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must identify whether a sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Correcting Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice correcting two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify the best way to correct either a comma splice or a fused sentence. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice identifying two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify whether a run-on sentence is a comma splice or a fused sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Parallel Structure:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Maintaining Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 6: Maintaining Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Recognizing Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Maintaining Parallel Structure:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Maintaining Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts - Grades K-5

Series Winners:

Review commas to separate items in a series, then practice placing semicolons to separate items in a series as you complete this interactive, baseball-themed tutorial.

Original Student Tutorials for Language Arts - Grades 6-12

All about the Future: Exploring Verb Tenses:

Learn how to use verb phrases in particular tenses to convey specific meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore the use of four verb tenses: simple future, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive. 

All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part One:

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: simple past tense and past progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll explore the use of past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. Make sure to complete both parts!

Click HERE to launch Part Two.

All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part Two :

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.

All about the Present: Exploring Verb Tenses:

Learn how verbs and verb phrases can convey specific meanings through the use of three verb tenses--simple present, present progressive, and present perfect--in this interactive tutorial.

Capitalization: A Crash Course:

Learn the rules of capitalization in this interactive tutorial! By the end, you'll have undergone a "crash course" in correct capitalization.  

Commas, Commas, Everywhere!:

Review common uses of the comma and learn how it can be properly used to set off nonrestrictive elements--like phrases and words--in a sentence. This interactive tutorial will also give you the chance to complete practice activities to check your understanding.

Fixing Run-on Sentences:

Learn to recognize and fix one of the most common grammar errors—the run-on sentence—as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects:

Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in this two-part tutorial.

By the end of Part One, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as the subject of a sentence. At the end of Part One, you'll also practice creating a sentence using a gerund as the subject and a sentence using a gerund phrase as the subject. 

Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements."

Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements:

Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in Part Two of this two-part series. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as a subject complement. At the end of this tutorial, you'll practice creating sentences of your own with a gerund phrase as the subject and a gerund phrase as a subject complement.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects."

Get in the Game: Understanding Sentences and Clauses:

Learn how clauses are used to form different types of sentences. In this interactive tutorial, you'll practice identifying four common sentence types: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. You'll also practice rewriting a short paragraph to include these various types of sentences.

Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part One:

Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence in this two-part tutorial series. In Part One, you'll learn about appositives and how to use commas with appositives when they provide nonessential information in a sentence.

When you're done, make sure to complete Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part Two:

Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence. In Part Two, you'll learn about essential and nonessential phrases and clauses and how to use commas with nonessential phrases and clauses in a sentence.

This is Part Two of a two-part tutorial series. Click HERE to launch Part One. 

It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice:

Learn to distinguish between passive and active voice with this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures.

This is Part One of a two-part series. Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice."

It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice:

Practice changing sentences from passive to active voice in this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures.

This is Part Two in a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice."  

Language Wizard: Active & Passive Voice:

Learn to define and explain active and passive voice in this wizard-themed interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how to transform passive voice to active voice to make your writing stronger.

Learning the Ropes: Applying Comma Rules:

Learn how to use commas to connect two sentences, how to use commas with coordinate adjectives, and how to use the Oxford comma. In this interactive tutorial, you will complete practice exercises and read several short passages about primates, including gorillas and baboons.

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Apostrophes:

Check out a mysterious punctuation mark—the apostrophe—in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn several important rules and guidelines to help you demystify this punctuation mark so you can use it correctly in your own writing. 

 

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Commas:

Don't be mystified by commas! This interactive tutorial will help you better understand how to correctly use this often mysterious punctuation mark. You'll learn several ways commas are commonly misused to help make sure you don't make these same mistakes in your own writing. Then, you'll learn several ways to correctly use a comma. 

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: The Ellipsis:

Check out a mysterious punctuation mark, the ellipsis, in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll learn a number of different uses for the ellipsis and apply what you learn to practice using the ellipsis correctly.

Mysterious Punctuation: Investigating Commas :

Learn a number of important rules that will help you master the mysterious comma. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how commas are used to separate three or more items in a series and to “set off” certain aspects of a sentence.

Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part One :

Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark—the dash—in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part One, you'll learn about the en dash and practice using it correctly. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We hope by the end of this series that the dash will no longer be quite so mysterious!

Make sure to complete Part Two! Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part Two:

Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark--the dash--in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly.

We recommend that you complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch Part One.

Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part One:

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part One, you'll work with past tense, present tense, and future tense.

We recommend that you complete Part Two after Part One. In Part Two, you'll work with three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Click HERE to view Part Two.

Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part Two:

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part Two, you'll work with three perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.  

We recommend that you complete Part One before starting Part Two. In Part One, you'll work with three simple tenses: past, present, and future. Click HERE to view Part One.

Student Resources

Vetted resources students can use to learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.

Original Student Tutorials

It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice:

Practice changing sentences from passive to active voice in this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures.

This is Part Two in a two-part series. Make sure to complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice."  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

It's No Myth -- Part One: Distinguishing Between Passive and Active Voice:

Learn to distinguish between passive and active voice with this interactive tutorial about mythical creatures.

This is Part One of a two-part series. Click HERE to launch "It's No Myth -- Part Two: Changing Sentences from Passive to Active Voice."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects:

Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in this two-part tutorial.

By the end of Part One, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as the subject of a sentence. At the end of Part One, you'll also practice creating a sentence using a gerund as the subject and a sentence using a gerund phrase as the subject. 

Make sure to complete both parts! Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Gerunds -- Part Two: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subject Complements:

Learn about gerunds and gerund phrases in Part Two of this two-part series. By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to identify a gerund or gerund phrase as a subject complement. At the end of this tutorial, you'll practice creating sentences of your own with a gerund phrase as the subject and a gerund phrase as a subject complement.

Make sure to complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch "Gerunds -- Part One: Identifying Gerunds and Gerund Phrases as Subjects."

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part Two :

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part Two in a two-part series. You should complete Part One before beginning Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part One.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All About the Past: Exploring Verb Tenses -- Part One:

Learn how to use verbs and verb phrases to convey specific meanings through the use of specific verb tenses: simple past tense and past progressive tense. 

This interactive tutorial is Part One in a two-part series. In Part Two, you'll explore the use of past perfect tense and past perfect progressive tense. Make sure to complete both parts!

Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All about the Future: Exploring Verb Tenses:

Learn how to use verb phrases in particular tenses to convey specific meanings. In this interactive tutorial, you'll explore the use of four verb tenses: simple future, future progressive, future perfect, and future perfect progressive. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part Two:

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part Two, you'll work with three perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.  

We recommend that you complete Part One before starting Part Two. In Part One, you'll work with three simple tenses: past, present, and future. Click HERE to view Part One.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

All about the Present: Exploring Verb Tenses:

Learn how verbs and verb phrases can convey specific meanings through the use of three verb tenses--simple present, present progressive, and present perfect--in this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Using Verbs and Verb Phrases to Convey Specific Meanings -- Part One:

Learn to enhance your writing with verbs and verb phrases in different tenses to convey specific meanings. In Part One, you'll work with past tense, present tense, and future tense.

We recommend that you complete Part Two after Part One. In Part Two, you'll work with three tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. Click HERE to view Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part Two:

Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence. In Part Two, you'll learn about essential and nonessential phrases and clauses and how to use commas with nonessential phrases and clauses in a sentence.

This is Part Two of a two-part tutorial series. Click HERE to launch Part One. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Investigating Essential and Nonessential Elements: Part One:

Investigate essential and nonessential elements in a sentence in this two-part tutorial series. In Part One, you'll learn about appositives and how to use commas with appositives when they provide nonessential information in a sentence.

When you're done, make sure to complete Part Two. Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part Two:

Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark--the dash--in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly.

We recommend that you complete Part One first! Click HERE to launch Part One.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation: The Dash – Part One :

Investigate a mysterious punctuation mark—the dash—in this interactive two-part tutorial. In this series, you'll learn about two types of dashes and their different uses. In Part One, you'll learn about the en dash and practice using it correctly. In Part Two, you'll learn about the em dash and practice using it correctly. We hope by the end of this series that the dash will no longer be quite so mysterious!

Make sure to complete Part Two! Click HERE to launch Part Two.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: The Ellipsis:

Check out a mysterious punctuation mark, the ellipsis, in this interactive English Language Arts tutorial. You'll learn a number of different uses for the ellipsis and apply what you learn to practice using the ellipsis correctly.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Commas:

Don't be mystified by commas! This interactive tutorial will help you better understand how to correctly use this often mysterious punctuation mark. You'll learn several ways commas are commonly misused to help make sure you don't make these same mistakes in your own writing. Then, you'll learn several ways to correctly use a comma. 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation Marks: Apostrophes:

Check out a mysterious punctuation mark—the apostrophe—in this interactive tutorial. You'll learn several important rules and guidelines to help you demystify this punctuation mark so you can use it correctly in your own writing. 

 

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Mysterious Punctuation: Investigating Commas :

Learn a number of important rules that will help you master the mysterious comma. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn how commas are used to separate three or more items in a series and to “set off” certain aspects of a sentence.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Fixing Run-on Sentences:

Learn to recognize and fix one of the most common grammar errors—the run-on sentence—as you complete this interactive tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Capitalization: A Crash Course:

Learn the rules of capitalization in this interactive tutorial! By the end, you'll have undergone a "crash course" in correct capitalization.  

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Commas, Commas, Everywhere!:

Review common uses of the comma and learn how it can be properly used to set off nonrestrictive elements--like phrases and words--in a sentence. This interactive tutorial will also give you the chance to complete practice activities to check your understanding.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Learning the Ropes: Applying Comma Rules:

Learn how to use commas to connect two sentences, how to use commas with coordinate adjectives, and how to use the Oxford comma. In this interactive tutorial, you will complete practice exercises and read several short passages about primates, including gorillas and baboons.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Get in the Game: Understanding Sentences and Clauses:

Learn how clauses are used to form different types of sentences. In this interactive tutorial, you'll practice identifying four common sentence types: simple, compound, complex, and compound-complex. You'll also practice rewriting a short paragraph to include these various types of sentences.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Series Winners:

Review commas to separate items in a series, then practice placing semicolons to separate items in a series as you complete this interactive, baseball-themed tutorial.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Language Wizard: Active & Passive Voice:

Learn to define and explain active and passive voice in this wizard-themed interactive tutorial. You'll also learn how to transform passive voice to active voice to make your writing stronger.

Type: Original Student Tutorial

Tutorials

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Using Commas Correctly:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice using commas correctly in sentences. For each practice item, you must use commas in a sentence only where appropriate. After every response, you will get immediate feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Using Commas Correctly:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice using commas correctly in sentences. For each practice item, you must use commas in a sentence only where appropriate. After every response, you will get immediate feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Fixing Comma Errors in Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice fixing comma errors in sentences. For each practice item, you must select the best choice to revise a sentence so that it uses commas correctly. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. 

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Fixing Comma Errors in Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice fixing comma errors in sentences. For each practice item, you must correct the comma error in a sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also provides an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked "Comma Tip” that appears with feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Avoiding Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice avoiding misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must determine how to complete a sentence to avoid a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must select only the sentence that does not contain a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must identify whether a sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must select only the sentence that does not contain a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Misplaced and Dangling Modifiers:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing misplaced and dangling modifiers. For each practice item, you must identify whether a sentence contains a misplaced or dangling modifier. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Correcting Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice correcting two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify the best way to correct either a comma splice or a fused sentence. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Comma Splices and Fused Sentences:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice identifying two common types of run-on sentences: comma splices and fused sentences. For each practice item, you must identify whether a run-on sentence is a comma splice or a fused sentence. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. Explanations of each correct answer are also provided. There’s also an explanation of the rules of proper sentence structure for you to study, simply click the hyperlinked word "rules."

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 1: Recognizing Parallel Structure:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 3: Maintaining Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 6: Maintaining Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 2: Recognizing Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in recognizing parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 4: Maintaining Parallel Structure:

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. After every response, you will get immediate feedback. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Grammar Bytes! Exercise 5: Maintaining Parallel Structure :

This fun and interactive exercise will give you practice in maintaining parallel structure. You will get feedback after every typed response. The site also includes an explanation of the rules of parallel structure that you can refer to as you complete this exercise.

Type: Tutorial

Parent Resources

Vetted resources caregivers can use to help students learn the concepts and skills in this benchmark.