CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.1a

ELA1st GradePrint Concepts

The Standard

Recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., first word, capitalization, ending punctuation).

Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students locate where each sentence starts and stops in print. They identify the first word, its capital letter, and the punctuation mark at the end.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can find each complete sentence in a short passage, even when a sentence continues onto another line. They correctly mark its beginning, capital letter, and ending punctuation.
Common Misconceptions: Students may treat each printed line as a new sentence. They may look for any capital letter instead of checking the first word. They may overlook ending punctuation or confuse periods, question marks, and exclamation points.
How to Assess It: Give students three printed sentences. Ask them to circle each first word, underline its capital letter, and box the ending punctuation.

Lesson moves

Give students word and punctuation cards, then have them build sentences and label each beginning and ending.
Display a short sentence and ask, "How does the print show where this sentence starts and stops?"
Play Sentence Detective by having students circle first words and box ending marks in a short paragraph.
Examine a classroom sign or food package and identify how its printed sentences begin and end.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to CCSS.ELA-Literacy.RF.1.1a, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

Learning progression

If students are struggling here, check these first.

Keep exploring

Grade, subject, topic, and the complete standard are prefilled. Create one free, no account needed.