1. Joy Hoffman Teacher’s Initials
______
November 2, 2009
1st
Grade
Language Arts Lesson 4
Objectives:
Students will learn how to write sentences using appropriate capitalization.
Benchmarks:
W.PR.01.02 draft focused ideas using multiple connected sentences with appropriate grammar,
usage, mechanics, and temporary spellings when composing a narrative or informational piece.
W.PS.01.01 develop personal style in oral, written, and visual messages in both narrative (e.g.,
natural language, specific action, emotion) and informational writing (e.g., sequence, specific
vocabulary, visual representation).
W.GR.01.01 in the context of writing, correctly use complete simple sentences beginning with a
capital letter and ending with a period, question mark, or exclamation point and capitalize first
and last names, and the pronoun I.
W.SP.01.01 in the context of writing, correctly spell frequently encountered one-syllable words
from common word families.
W.SP.01.02 in the context of writing, correctly spell less frequently encountered words using
structural cues (letter/sound, rhymes) and environmental sources (word walls, word lists).
Materials/Supplies:
Lined paper for modeling on the overhead
Notebooks for each student
Pencils
Privacy folders
Procedures:
Introduction/Motivation:
Ask students how they know when a new sentence is begun. Most students are already aware
that at the beginning of each sentence the first word is capitalized. Remind students of this
writing rule. Then tell students that the first word in a sentence is not the only word that is
capitalized.
Content to be taught and the process:
List on the overhead the things that are capitalized: the first word in each sentence, names of
people, the names of cities, I, and any other name. Give examples of each. Use the overhead to
model sentences using these writing rules:
“The mouse ate cheese.”
“Where are my shoes?”
“My teacher’s name is Mrs. O’Guin.”
“My dog Monty likes to run and play.”
“We go to school at Randall Elementary.”

2. “I live in Taylor, Michigan.”
“I love to play outside.”
“I ate an apple.”
Tell students to remember to use the correct capitalization when writing in their journals.
Remind them to raise their hand and ask if they are unsure if a word should be capitalized or not.
Leave the overhead on for students to refer to while writing in their journals.
Student activities:
Students will write in their journals while practicing writing sentences using correct
capitalization.
Independent practice:
Students will write in their journals.
Closure and summary:
Remind students that any time they write a name of a person, a place, or write the word “I,” or
begin a new sentence they are to capitalize the word.
Evaluation/Checking for understanding:
To ensure students understand, ask the students to give a thumb up or a thumb down if they
understand or don’t understand. If there is any confusion, clarify immediately. Walk around
during independent activities to ensure students are following directions and/or comprehending
the assignment. If a student is not, clarify by verbally explaining or modeling.
Behavior expectations:
Students will sit quietly and raise their hands to answer questions. No student will shout out
answers. If a student has a question, they must raise their hand and wait patiently until they are
called on. When working at their desks, students are to work independently and quietly.
Management techniques:
If the children are not actively listening or get too loud, they will be reminded of the rules they
are to follow. If they continue talking, they will be instructed to move their clip down on the
behavior chart and vice versa, if they are behaving, they will be asked to move their clip up. If
the students get too loud, say “clap once if you can hear me” and the students will respond by
clapping once. If this is not enough to gain their attention, repeat but tell the students, “clap
twice if you can hear me.” Once their attention is gained remind them of the rules/procedures
they are to follow.
Classroom teacher’s evaluation of this lesson: