Nouns are everywhere! Nouns are one of the easiest (and most fun!) grammar concepts to teach. Because nouns are so concrete, students can really get hands-on with grammar in this unit. Keep reading to find out how to teach nouns in your elementary classroom.
Enhance Literacy with Embedded Grammar Lessons
Research on the Science of Reading (SOR) dating back to the 1970s shows that teaching grammar as isolated rules doesn't effectively transfer to writing and speaking. What works better is embedding grammar within the context of writing. This is why our writing program Lucky to Learn Writing (LTLW) includes grammar skills integrated into writing lessons. This approach ensures that the same skills and standards are met, but in a meaningful context that connects with the rest of the literacy curriculum.
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We also recognize the value of targeted practice and intervention to reinforce these skills. That's why we've compiled a list of our favorite grammar activities that provide additional practice and intervention opportunities. These activities are designed to complement our integrated approach, ensuring students have a well-rounded understanding of grammar concepts. Let's dive into these engaging and effective activities!
I) Songs and Videos about Nouns
Introducing a new unit with a song is always a great idea. I am not kidding when I say that they have requested to hear this song about three times a day every day this week! I simply can’t say no to that! They have now memorized this song and I don’t think that they will forget what kinds of words are nouns! “A person, place, or thing is a noun.” Love it!
This video is great if your students already have a bit of experience with identifying nouns. It introduces the idea of common (a general person, place, thing, or idea) vs. proper nouns (a specific person, place, thing, or idea)
Collective Nouns Song by Silly School Education
This video is a catchy song that gives examples of collective nouns.
II) Day-by-Day Noun Mini Lessons
Day 1
After showing the noun song (a few times!) we made a list for each section of this anchor chart (see below). Little activities like this really show me what kind of exposure and background knowledge my students have!
Next was their time to shine! I gave each student a small stack of post-it notes and a sharpie marker (Warning: I would NOT recommend doing this if your students don’t use permanent markers often! My kids use them all the time for different writing projects.) They walked around the room labeling all the nouns that they could find. I have a few snapshots below!
Day 2
On Tuesday my kids took things a step further. We started with a Brain Pop video. If you are not familiar with Brain Pop…you NEED to check it out!
Next, each child received 3 sentence strips and was instructed to write a complete sentence for each strip. One sentence had to have a person noun, one sentence had to have a place noun, and one sentence had to have a thing/animal noun. This was a great opportunity to discuss what an interesting sentence looks like. We call them “beefy” sentences. For some reason, my kids really understand this! (Whatever works, right?) Here is a picture of the anchor charts that my students created.
Can I just say that I am really liking LOVING student-made anchor charts!!! It saves me a ton of time and my students seem to read them more because of their sense of ownership and pride. I have these displayed in the front of my classroom.
Day 3
On Wednesday we sat down on the rug in front of our anchor charts. Each child had their own marker board, marker, and eraser. I would read a sentence off of the anchor chart and my students would write the nouns that are in the sentence. After some wait time I give them the cue…”1, 2, 3, SHOW ME!” and the kids then hold up their answers. We go over the nouns and I highlight them on the posters.
For a fun review on Day 4 and 5, we may use Digital Toothy or play this 4-in-a-row partner game during centers.
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III) Teaching Noun Types
Proper Nouns
Now that your students have an understanding of what a common noun is, it is time to introduce proper nouns. A proper noun is a specific person, place, or thing. Take a walk around the school with clip boards and writing paper. Have students write down as many proper nouns as they can see in the hallways of the school. Come back to the classroom and compare your lists.
For a fun activity to extend this lesson, have students create this name art to display around the classroom. You could even take it a step further and have students create a “noun collage” with their name, and pictures of their favorite things.
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The worksheet below is great for practicing differentiating between common and proper nouns. A versatile activity for morning work, small group, ELA centers, or homework!
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Or give this fun center a try – students will make “noun sandwiches” with common and proper nouns.
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Plural Nouns
A new type of noun calls for a new anchor chart! A plural noun tells about more than one person, place, or thing. They end in “s,” “-es,” or “ies.” Changing the spelling of a noun to become a collective noun can sometimes be tricky
Remember those noun sticky notes that are posted around the room? Give students another go at it – this time, making the nouns plural.
For more activities to teach plural nouns, check out this grammar center that compares singular and plural nouns.
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Or this singular and plural noun worksheet, perfect for early finishers or small group review.
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Collective Nouns
Collective nouns are words that describe a group of people or things. Class, bunch, crew – these are all examples of collective nouns. Have your students brainstorm to see how many collective nouns they can name. For extra practice, check out this Grammar Day by Day Grammar review, with five days of mini-lessons on this concept.
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I hope you found some of these ideas helpful! Please comment below if you have any other fun and effective ideas to teach nouns!
IV) Other Noun Resources:
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How to Teach Other 2nd Grade Grammar Skills:
Is it time for a new concept in grammar? We have a post for that! Check out our library of previous grammar posts.
Hi Angie!!! I like YOUR methods. I am a history teacher and graduate student from Uzbekistan. Thank you so much!!!