CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2
The Standard
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts · Language Standards
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students use capital letters, punctuation marks, and commas correctly in their writing. They spell common words correctly and make reasonable sound-based attempts when a word is unfamiliar.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students begin sentences and proper names with capital letters. They choose correct ending marks and place commas in dates and simple lists. They spell familiar words correctly and use sound-based spelling for unfamiliar words.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may use capitals randomly or forget them in names and dates. They may leave off ending marks, confuse periods and question marks, or omit commas in dates and lists. Some expect every word to follow regular sound patterns.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to write two sentences about a birthday, including a person’s name, a full date, and three party foods. Check capitals, commas, ending marks, and spelling.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have students repair sentence strips by adding capital letter cards, comma cards, and ending punctuation cards in the correct places.
Ask students to write what they would bring on a picnic, then explain where capitals, commas, and punctuation belong.
Play punctuation corners by reading sentences aloud while students move to period, question mark, or exclamation point signs.
Students write a classroom event notice with a title, full date, list of supplies, and complete sentences.
Free download
Printable L.1.2 Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.L.1.2, 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 worksheetBefore 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.