Basic English Grammar: Proper and Common Nouns

Introduction

(5 min)

Welcome to Basic English Grammar!

Grammar is an essential component in learning English.

Correct grammar is essential for speaking English fluently and confidently. Knowing your grammar will assist you in avoiding mistakes that make your English sound unnatural. 

 

Objectives 

- Improve the understanding of grammar, specifically concerning the appropriate usage of proper and common nouns

- Engage in the four language skills of speaking, writing, listening, and reading

- Provide the students with enough information and resources about the subject

Task

(15 min) 

 

Activity 1. Understanding Proper and Common Nouns

Learn the fundamentals of proper and common nouns by reading the material below.

 

Nouns are divided into common nouns and proper nouns.

Common nouns are words for people, animals, places, or things. Common nouns are not capitalized. (baby, clown, drum, cat, snake, bed, chair, girl, boy, etc.)

Proper nouns are names for particular people, places, or things. They always begin with a capital letter.  (Lisa, Beethoven, Tokyo, etc.)

The names of countries and their people are also proper nouns.  (America, American, China, Chinese, etc.)

The names of towns, cities, buildings, and landmarks are proper nouns. (Hong Kong, the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, etc.)

The days of the week and months of the year are proper nouns.  (Sunday, Tuesday, March, May, etc.)

The names of mountains, seas, rivers, and lakes are proper nouns.  (Mount Everest, the Thames, the Alps, the Yellow River, etc.)

The names of festivals, some special events, and holidays are proper nouns, too.  (Valentine's Day, Father's Day, Halloween, Christmas Day, etc.)

 

Nouns for Kids

Nouns for Kids

 

Activity 2. Write down 3 examples of Common and Proper Nouns.

Share your examples with the class. 

 

Activity 3. Watch the video below for informational and revisional purposes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJy4PV6kETM

 

 

 

 

 

Process

(15 min) 

 

A printed copy of the following exercises will be provided to each student to complete.



Complete the exercises below. Good luck!

Exercise 1. Write C for common or P for proper on the blank before each noun. (50 points)

 

1. ﹍﹍﹍ the White House 

2. ﹍﹍﹍ the green dress 

3. ﹍﹍﹍ the tall building 

4. ﹍﹍﹍ the Empire State Building 

5. ﹍﹍﹍ the Yellow River 

6. ﹍﹍﹍ the muddy river 

7. ﹍﹍﹍ the governor 

8. ﹍﹍﹍ Governor Parker

9. ﹍﹍﹍ the Oregon Trail 

10. ﹍﹍﹍the winding trail 

 

Exercise 2. Underline the common nouns in these sentences. (50 points) 

1. There's a little bird in the garden.

2. Who is your teacher?

3. Don't eat that rotten apple.

4. Kate has a lovely doll.

5. I like reading stories.

6. My father is a doctor.

7. Every child has a dictionary.

8. Rudy hates bananas.

9. The phone is ringing.

10. Here's a book for you. 

 

Evaluation

Exercises 1 and 2 will serve as the basis for the evaluation of the students.

Out of a possible 100 points, each exercise is worth 50.

Students' results will be recorded for future reference and to identify any knowledge gaps.

Conclusion

(10 min) 

Final Activity 

As a last task, all students are expected to participate in a game called Kahoot. In this activity, students will respond to questions from a quiz on proper and common nouns by raising their hands.

The purpose of the quiz is to evaluate the information covered in class. This assessment, however, will only be conducted for entertainment and will not be a part of the evaluation process. Its actual worth is primarily found in the information it gives me about my teaching methodology.

Kahoot Quiz on Proper and Common Nouns: https://kahoot.it/challenge/04842862?challenge-id=f3a6797e-c2b0-4913-9b48-a844fcd98090_1701380562833  

Game Pin: 04842862

Homework

Please refer to the textbook to recap the material covered today and complete the exercises on pages 12 and 19. 

 

 

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