Capitalized words denote specificity. The word person is general, so it is lowercase. But if I refer to a specific person, I capitalize it: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Rather than having you memorize a list of capitalization rules, we want you to see patterns of capitalization within texts, categorize the patterns you see, and discover principles of capitalization from the capitalized words in your reading.
Noticing, Collecting, and Categorizing
Part One
Let's start with a passage from The Higher Power of Lucky (2006) by Susan Patron:
As a class, we are going to collect some words that begin with capital letters. Exclude words that are the first word of a sentence because any word that is the first word of a sentence is capitalized, so it wouldn't help us to place those words in our collection.
Activity: Using the passage, write capitalized words on separate sticky notes. The teacher will model first, then the class will complete the activity together. Note: Any time words go together as a unit, put them all on one sticky note.
Note below how capitalized, specific nouns add detail to the passage. Contrast the original passage with a revised version, in which the capitalized words have been deleted and replaced by general nouns. Notice the effect it has on the passage. Shifting to less specific nouns causes a change in tone and voice (and quality).
Original Passage: Lucky Trimble crouched in a wedge of shade behind the Dumpster. Her ear near a hole in the paint-chipped wall of Hard Pan's Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center, she listened as Short Sammy told the story of how he hit rock-bottom.
Revised Version: A girl crouched in a wedge of shade behind the thing. Her ear near a hole in the paint-chipped wall of the place, she listened as the a man told the story of how he hit rock-bottom. Part Two
General rule of thumb: Capital letters are about twice the height of lowercase letters.
Activity: Using novels or any reading materials, reread several pages you've previously read. As you reread, collect any words that begin with capital letters--except the first words of sentences. Write the capitalized words on sticky notes. Each student records five or more capitalized words or groups of words with the page number beneath. If the capital letter starts with a quotation--or dialogue--you may write it down if you put the quotation mark before the word to signal that it is the first word of a direct quotation.
Now try to group the words on the sticky notes. There are categories--or words that go together. Watch the teacher model first, using the stickies from The Higher Power of Lucky. Then, you are going to work with your cluster mates to combine all words and find your own categories. When we share with the class, take notes from the board.
Writing for Understanding
Open the file below and follow the directions for the writing prompt. The teacher will read the passage aloud and lead a brief discussion before the writing begins.
When the half-sheets of paper are distributed, work with a partner to highlight all the words that begin with capital letters and talk about which pattern they follow, comparing them with the classroom chart of patterns.
Now return to something you have written previously in your writer's notebook and highlight all the words you capitalized, as well as the words you now realize you should have capitalized. Share your findings with a classmate.
How'd They Do It?
In the SMART Notebook document posted below, you will see a correct sentence from Roland Smith's Jack's Run (2007). What do you notice about the sentence?
Then, you will see the same sentence five more times, but something in the sentence will be different each time. You will identify the change, then discuss the change, what effect it has, and how we could make the sentence better. Note: Only one sentence should be uncovered at a time. The other sentences must be covered up.
Intro
Table of Contents
Rather than having you memorize a list of capitalization rules, we want you to see patterns of capitalization within texts, categorize the patterns you see, and discover principles of capitalization from the capitalized words in your reading.
Noticing, Collecting, and Categorizing
Part OneLet's start with a passage from The Higher Power of Lucky (2006) by Susan Patron:
As a class, we are going to collect some words that begin with capital letters. Exclude words that are the first word of a sentence because any word that is the first word of a sentence is capitalized, so it wouldn't help us to place those words in our collection.
Activity: Using the passage, write capitalized words on separate sticky notes. The teacher will model first, then the class will complete the activity together. Note: Any time words go together as a unit, put them all on one sticky note.
Note below how capitalized, specific nouns add detail to the passage. Contrast the original passage with a revised version, in which the capitalized words have been deleted and replaced by general nouns. Notice the effect it has on the passage. Shifting to less specific nouns causes a change in tone and voice (and quality).
Original Passage: Lucky Trimble crouched in a wedge of shade behind the Dumpster. Her ear near a hole in the paint-chipped wall of Hard Pan's Found Object Wind Chime Museum and Visitor Center, she listened as Short Sammy told the story of how he hit rock-bottom.
Revised Version: A girl crouched in a wedge of shade behind the thing. Her ear near a hole in the paint-chipped wall of the place, she listened as the a man told the story of how he hit rock-bottom.
Part Two
General rule of thumb: Capital letters are about twice the height of lowercase letters.
Activity: Using novels or any reading materials, reread several pages you've previously read. As you reread, collect any words that begin with capital letters--except the first words of sentences. Write the capitalized words on sticky notes. Each student records five or more capitalized words or groups of words with the page number beneath. If the capital letter starts with a quotation--or dialogue--you may write it down if you put the quotation mark before the word to signal that it is the first word of a direct quotation.
Now try to group the words on the sticky notes. There are categories--or words that go together. Watch the teacher model first, using the stickies from The Higher Power of Lucky. Then, you are going to work with your cluster mates to combine all words and find your own categories. When we share with the class, take notes from the board.
Writing for Understanding
Open the file below and follow the directions for the writing prompt. The teacher will read the passage aloud and lead a brief discussion before the writing begins.Editing Published Work and our Work in Progress
When the half-sheets of paper are distributed, work with a partner to highlight all the words that begin with capital letters and talk about which pattern they follow, comparing them with the classroom chart of patterns.Now return to something you have written previously in your writer's notebook and highlight all the words you capitalized, as well as the words you now realize you should have capitalized. Share your findings with a classmate.
How'd They Do It?
In the SMART Notebook document posted below, you will see a correct sentence from Roland Smith's Jack's Run (2007). What do you notice about the sentence?Then, you will see the same sentence five more times, but something in the sentence will be different each time. You will identify the change, then discuss the change, what effect it has, and how we could make the sentence better. Note: Only one sentence should be uncovered at a time. The other sentences must be covered up.
Need-to-Know Reference
Capitalization Rules!- Proper nouns (Rayburn Middle School, New Haven, Kinney)
- Proper adjectives (English muffin, Sony television, Chinese food)
- Title with a last name (Coach Oakley, President Obama)
- First word in a direct quotation (Vanessa asked, "What can I write about?")
- Titles (The Giver, Seventeen)
- Letter Opening (Dear Mr. Chips,)
- First word of a letter closing (Yours truly,)
This document also covers what you need to know about capitalization:This document covers misunderstandings about capitalization: