Lesson 2: Speech and Dialogue

What parents need to know

Speech punctuation is new and tricky. Children are not expected to be perfect—just to try.

We want them to understand:

• speech marks go around the spoken words

• spoken words start with a capital letter

Lesson breakdown 

Step 1. Talk about what characters might say 

Ask:

• What might the giant say when his foot goes in the bowl?

• What might the small creature say?

Act it out if that helps.

Step 2: Teach speech marks clearly 

Explain:

• When someone talks, we put speech marks around what they say.

Write and read together:

Modelled example:
The giant cried, “My foot feels strange!”

Point out:

• capital letter inside the speech

• speech marks around the words

• punctuation at the end

Step 3: Create sentences together 

Make sentences orally, then write one together.

Modelled example:
The tiny creature squeaked, “Don’t worry, it will stop itching soon.”

Let your child help choose words.

Step 4 Writing time 

Your child writes 3–4 speech sentences, using either character. e.g. 

• The giant shouted, “Ouch, my foot feels funny!”

• “What have you done?” asked the giant in a loud voice.

• The tiny creature said, “Please stay still and don’t panic.”

Support by:

• helping with spelling

• reminding where speech marks go

• encouraging rereading