Hyphens and Dashes Discussion Prompts and Pause Points

Before the Movie

When might a writer use a hyphen or a dash? 

What do you think the difference is between a hyphen and a dash?

During the Movie (Pause Points)

Stop at the following times in the movie and ask questions or prompt a discussion to keep students focused and to assess their understanding before moving on:

Timecode 1:37: What are some ways hyphens connect words or ideas?

Timecode 2:41: What’s an example of when you’d use an en dash? What words do en dashes replace?

Timecode 3:26: What are three ways you’d use an em dash in a sentence? 

After the Movie

What are some other examples of phrases (similar to “bad-weather report” or “ten-year-old girls”) that contain compound modifiers before a noun?

Look at the four related movies below the movie player. Explain how each is connected to the Hyphens and Dashes topic. 

BrainPOP recommends reading  the movie description that appears on the Hyphens and Dashes Topic Page to your class. Then show the movie once through without pausing.  Watch it again, this time using the discussion prompts.

*BrainPOP’s Discussion Questions and Prompts align to CCSS Speaking and Listening Standards.