Lesson plan
Totally Terrific Titles
Learning Objectives
- Students will be able to write titles and headings using a synopsis of matching text.
- Students will be able to use correct capitalization when writing titles and headings.
Introduction
(5 minutes)- Show the students a short clip of a movie trailer of choice.
- Invite students to reflect on what they saw in the trailer. What actions did they see? What connections did they make?
- Ask the students to determine the title of the movie and if they already know the title, explain how the title was reflected in the action that they saw.
- Tell the students that they will be learning how to write unique titles that include correct capitalization.
Explicit Instruction/Teacher modeling
(10 minutes)- Hold up the book with the covered title.
- Read or tell the students about a few parts in the story.
- Invite students to try to name the title.
- Tell the students that it is important for authors to write a title that both accurately reflects the text and also hooks the reader.
- Share the importance of capitalizing different words in a title, such as capitalizing the first and last words, nouns, verbs, adjectives, and adverbs.
- Model the process of writing several catchy titles that could also be used with the book.
Guided Practice
(15 minutes)- Divide students into pairs or small groups.
- Tell the students that their job is to write a catchy title for their book using the text inside the book. If they already know the title of the book, instruct them to think of an additional title that could be used for the book.
- Distribute one book and several sticky notes to each group.
- Ask the students to write each title that they develop on a separate sticky note.
- Once all groups are finished, invite the small groups to share their work with the rest of the class and then uncover the book, revealing the title.
- Invite other groups to participate in giving feedback and suggestions.
Independent working time
(15 minutes)- Ask the students to complete the Naming Narratives and Nonfiction worksheet.
- Circulate around the room and provide additional prompts and suggestions as needed.
Differentiation
Support:
- For students who need additional support in the mechanics of writing titles (including correct capitalization), ask them to complete the worksheet Capitals in Titles.
Enrichment:
- For students who need a little extra challenge, give them a topic and ask them to generate multiple possible titles for the topic.
Technology Integration
- Challenge students to use images, YouTube excerpts, or other forms of media to write interesting titles.
Assessment
(10 minutes)- Ask the students to complete the Turning Titles Around worksheet.
- Check to see that students are developing catchy titles that reflect correct capitalization.
Review and closing
(5 minutes)- Name or write a title on the board and ask students to give a fist of five, evaluating and giving a rating to the title.
- Lead the students in a brief discussion about what makes a good title.
Related learning resources
Totally Terrific Titles
Lesson plan
Totally Terrific Titles
Use this lesson to teach your students the art and mechanics of writing terrific titles.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Lesson plan
Turning Titles Around
Worksheet
Turning Titles Around
Give your students the opportunity to turn boring titles into interesting titles!
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Capitals in Titles
Worksheet
Capitals in Titles
Give your students extra practice in writing titles and headlines that include correct capitalization.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Worksheet
Capitalization of Titles and Headings 1
Exercise
Capitalization of Titles and Headings 1
Kids will get lots of practice with capitalizing the titles of common books and poems in this exercise. Helpful hints guide kids on the rules of capitalization.
3rd grade
Reading & Writing
Exercise
