Star Wars and Grammar - Weekly Spark #1Created by David Hunter

In this lesson, students use proper capitalization and punctuation to create clear opening crawls for Star Wars.

Preparation GuideLesson RubricLesson Plan
ActivityActivity TypeDescription
hookwatchPlay the scrolling text in the link. Ask and discuss: "How could punctuation and capitalization make this easier to read?"
  • Students will watch or observe...Play the scrolling text in the link. Ask and discuss: "How could punctuation and capitalization make this easier to read?"
  • How does this concept relate to student lives or interests?This lesson takes advantage of students interest in Star Wars. Highlight how important it is that the movie uses appropriate punctuation and capitalization to get the important information across.
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informwatchWatch the videos and pay attention for when to use punctuation and capitalization.
  • Students will watch...Watch the videos and pay attention for when to use punctuation and capitalization.
  • Directions for studentsWatch the videos and pay attention for when to use punctuation and capitalization. Follow along with the handout.
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practicedo groupworkIn each group, take turns pointing out capitalization or punctuation edits you think should be made. After all suggestions have been made, review as a group to see how you think you did.
  • In groups, students will...In each group, take turns pointing out capitalization or punctuation edits you think should be made. After all suggestions have been made, review as a group to see how you think you did.
  • Directions for studentsIn your group, take turns making capitalization and punctuation edits to the Return of the Jedi crawling text. After all suggestions have been made, review as a group to see how you think you did. Be ready to share your edits with the class.
  • Additional descriptions for teachersUse the simpler text for younger students.
  • Materials neededDigital access to scrolling text creator
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applycreateCreate your own star wars crawler. Use proper capitalization and punctuation.
  • Students will create...Create your own star wars crawler. Use proper capitalization and punctuation.
  • How does this connect to the real world?Star Wars has a large audience. The crawling text in the movies is very important and must be clearly and quickly understood by the audience. Misusing capitalization and punctuation will make it harder for the Star Wars audience to understand the movie.
  • Directions for studentsCreate your own very short story using the Star Wars crawling text creator. OR you can use one of the real Star Wars openings from the movies and edit its punctuation and capitalization.
  • Additional descriptions for teachersIf every student has access to a digital device, they can each create their own Star Wars opening with the link to the creator. If students would like to edit the punctuation of the original movies, links to openings without proper punctuation and capitalization is available. Visit the last link to the opening crawls to see how the actual crawls actually are in the movie. Don't worry too much about what is in ALL CAPS in the movie, but those are names and should be capitalized. IF STUDENTS DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO DEVICES: Students can write opening crawls or copy/edit them on paper.
  • Materials neededDigital access to online Star Wars Crawling Text Creator for each student. OR have each student write their short stories on blank paper.
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1. Standard Not Met2. Approaching Standard3. Standard Met4. Exceeding Standard
L.2.2 - LanguageDemonstrate command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Struggled to show a basic understanding of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Demonstrated a basic command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Demonstrated command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.
Demonstrated a highly skilled command of the conventions of standard English capitalization, punctuation, and spelling when writing.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

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