using more punctuation

When teaching kids to use punctuation I make a pyramid and flip it upside down. 

Level 4 . ? , ! : ; ( ) - ...
Level 3 . ? , ! :
Level 2 . ? ,
Level 1 . 

Create a pyramid. 
Hide level 2,3,4 
Ask who can write something using level 1 (just a period) 
Show level 2 
Ask who can write something at level 2 (period, question mark, comma) 

Show level 3 
Ask who can write somthing using level 3 (period, question mark, comma, exclamation point, colin)

Show level 4 
Ask who can write something using level 

Post the pyramid on the wall, in writing journals, wherever writers need them! When editing, look at the pyramid. Are you at level 4? How can you restructure a sentence or two to use more punctuation. 

I find this levelling and visual aspect to be a wonderful teaching tool.