CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1b
The Standard
Use common, proper, and possessive nouns.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students name people, places, animals, and things with general words or specific names. They also show ownership by changing a noun, usually with an apostrophe and s.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students use general nouns and capitalize specific names correctly in sentences. They show one person or thing owning something by adding an apostrophe and s.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may capitalize every noun or leave names lowercase. They may confuse a plural ending in s with ownership, or leave the apostrophe out of a possessive noun.
How to Assess It
- Exit ticket: Write one sentence about something belonging to a named person. Circle the name, underline the general noun, and box the ownership word.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give students picture and word cards such as girl, Ava, and backpack; have them match cards and write “Ava’s backpack.”
Ask students to write who owns a classroom object, then explain why the name needs a capital letter and an apostrophe.
Play Noun Repair Relay, where teams correct cards such as “bens hat” or “the Dogs bone.”
Walk around the classroom and make ownership labels such as “Ms. Lee’s desk,” “Sam’s folder,” and “the class’s books.”
Free download
Printable L.1.1b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.1b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.
Download the worksheetLearning progression
Where This Standard Sits
Before This Standard
If students are struggling here, check these first.
What This Unlocks
Mastery here sets students up for these next.
Keep exploring
Related Standards
Turn this exact standard into a lesson
Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.