Once your students know what nouns are, it’s time to teach common and proper nouns.
Like any good lesson, scaffolding instruction is the key to student success. When you teach step-by-step, fewer students need reteaching. That’s a win for everyone!
Below are 4 simple steps to help your students master common and proper nouns quickly and easily.
Define Common and Proper Nouns
The first step in teaching your lesson is to define the terms. Start with clear, simple definitions.
💡Teacher Tip: When defining common nouns, avoid using the word "name." Save "name" only for proper nouns. This prevents student confusion. (Read my article on concrete nouns here).
Watch a Video to Engage Students
If you want to get your students excited and engaged from the start, consider including a quick video to introduce the lesson.
This video is packed with examples and runs under 5 minutes. It's perfect for a lesson opener, and highlights the impact these lessons have on student writing.
Display Definitions With Anchor Charts
Because reference charts support and reinforce learning, keep definitions visible throughout your lessons.
Create a chart with your class and/or use printed posters like these.
These anchor charts are part of my lesson resource on Tpt.
Use Real-World Examples Of Common & Proper Nouns
Create a Common and Proper Noun Word List
Give your students a reference list they can actually use.
For this step, make a list together as a class, or use this ready-to-print handout.
Add a Noun Scavenger Hunt
This is my students' favorite activity! It's hands on, easily differentiated, and relevant to the students' lives.
Here's how it works:
- Bring in sales papers, magazines, or ads.
- Students cut out images and label the common and proper nouns associated with each item.
- No papers? Use Google images instead.
This is a simple activity that packs a big punch!
The scavenger hunt page is included in the freebie!
Practice Identifying Nouns
The next step is to move from words to sentences. This builds confidence and lets you spot struggling students early.
Common and Proper Noun Word Sorts (Words in Isolation)
Write nouns on index cards and have students sort them into piles.
Identifying Nouns in Sentences
Sentences add a challenge. They also show students that proper nouns are always capitalized, no matter where they appear in a sentence.
There are two levels of difficulty:
Easier: Nouns are underlined. Students just identify common vs. proper
Harder: Students find all nouns on their own then classify them.
This level can be differentiated by letting the students know how many nouns are in each sentence (see image below).
The worksheets above are part of my resource on TpT, but you could even pull sentences from the stories you’re working on in class to practice with your students.
Do you have students struggling with finding nouns? Check out my article on teaching concrete nouns for ideas and activities for reteaching.
Change Nouns Between Common and Proper
This step shows students the relationship between the two types, and is a solid precursor to improved writing.
Use Tables and Graphic Organizers
Simple tables work great. Students change a common noun into a proper noun, or vice versa.
I use a combination of worksheets in my classroom to help my kids master this skill. If you don’t have worksheets handy, though, you can present students with a list of words to change on paper or whiteboards. This one is included in the freebie!
Change Nouns in Sentences (Advanced)
Now students apply the skill in context by rewriting sentences and swapping nouns.
Example:
The dog ran down the street.
Max ran down Main Street.
This teaches clarity in writing, a skill students will use forever.
That's It! 4 Steps to Common and Proper Noun Mastery
Follow these steps, and you’ll catch struggling students before they fall behind. Stop and reteach when needed, but most students will stay right on track.
✔️Remember:
- Define
- Provide Examples
- Identify
- Change
Grab Your Free Activities
Enter your email below to get instant access to:
- Scavenger Hunt Activity
- Identifying Nouns Worksheet
- Changing Nouns Worksheet
- Printable Word Lists
Get the Complete Resource (Save Time!)
Want everything in one done-for-you package? My Common and Proper Nouns Worksheets resource includes:
- 2 – Anchor Charts (one for common nouns; one for proper nouns)
- 2 – Cut-and-Paste Word Sorts (sort by common and proper)
- 4 – Change the Noun pages (common to proper, proper to common, and 2 mixed)
- 2 – Identify the Noun pages (determine whether the underlined word is common or proper)
- 2 – Find the Nouns in Sentences (with and without number hints for differentiation)
- 2 – Rewrite the Sentences (change the underlined nouns)
Color & Black/White versions are included.
Answer Keys are included.
👉 Click on the image to preview the full resource on TpT
