Naming Words and Doing Words
A 30-minute Kindergarten lesson on telling nouns from verbs, and on adding -s to make more than one.
Naming Words and Doing Words is a free 30-minute Kindergarten English lesson plan for Common Core standard L.K.1 — use nouns, verbs and question words correctly when you speak and write. It is timed across 5 sections, gives the exact wording to use where the wording carries the mathematics, names 3 misconceptions with the teaching move that addresses each, and ends with an exit ticket and a printable worksheet with its answer key.
- Grade:
- Kindergarten
- Length:
- 30 minutes
- Standard:
- L.K.1
Kindergarten · Language
L.K.1
Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
Objective
Students will be able to sort a word into a naming word or a doing word, and make a noun plural.
Students are successful when they can
- Sorts a word as a noun or a verb.
- Gives a reason for the sort.
- Adds -s or -es to make a plural.
What you need
- Two labelled hoops: NAMING WORDS and DOING WORDS
- Word cards, none of which can be both
- The printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan
The lesson
Warm-up — can you do it?
4 min- Say a word. If you can DO it, they stand up. If you cannot, they sit.
- Run, table, jump, chair, swim, window.
Teach — two hoops, one test
9 min- Put down the two hoops. Sort six words, saying the test aloud each time.
- The test: can you do it? Then it is a doing word. Can you point at it? Then it is a naming word.
- Do one hard one and let them argue it.
- Then take a naming word and make it plural: one chair, two chairs.
- Do one that needs -es: one box, two boxes. Do not explain the rule; just say it and let them hear it.
“Can you do it, or can you point at it? That is the question every time.”
Guided practice — sort and pluralise
9 min- Pairs sort eight cards into the hoops.
- Then they take every naming word and say the plural.
- Circulate for pairs saying 'boxs'.
Independent practice
6 min- Students complete the sorting page and the plural page.
- Read each word aloud.
Close
2 min- Say four words. Class says naming or doing.
- Then one plural.
What goes wrong, and why
Each of these is a reasoning error rather than carelessness. The fix addresses the reasoning.
Sorts a word both ways and cannot choose — 'run' is a thing you do and also a run.
Why: Plenty of English words are both, and the child has noticed something true.
Fix: Keep the card set free of them at this stage. Praise the noticing and say it is a harder kind of word, which is honest.
Adds -s to a verb and calls it a plural — 'he runs' means more than one run.
Why: The -s looks identical, and only its position distinguishes them.
Fix: Only pluralise words from the naming hoop. Sorting first is what prevents this.
Says 'boxs', 'dishs', 'buss'.
Why: The -s rule has been learned and applied consistently, which is a sign of learning rather than of carelessness.
Fix: Say the plural aloud before writing it. The ear hears that 'boxs' cannot be pronounced, and the -es follows from the sound.
If they are not there yet
- Sort with pictures rather than words.
- Do plurals only with regular -s for a week.
If they finish early
- Add a third hoop for describing words.
- Find an irregular plural: one child, two children.
- Use a noun and a verb from the same sentence.
Exit ticket
Is 'jump' a naming word or a doing word? Now: one box, two ___?
What to look for: 'Boxes'. 'Boxs' means the say-it-aloud step needs to come before writing next time.
Printable practice for L.K.1
Free to print and copy, answer key included. Each sheet can generate a fresh set of problems for a retake.
- Naming Words and Doing WordsSort each word into the right column.
Questions about Naming Words and Doing Words
How long does the Naming Words and Doing Words lesson take?
30 minutes, split across 5 timed sections: warm-up 4 min, teach 9 min, guided practice 9 min, independent practice 6 min, close 2 min. The minutes are stated per section and add up to the stated length, so the plan can be cut or extended at a section boundary rather than abandoned halfway.
Which standard does Naming Words and Doing Words teach?
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.K.1 — L.K.1, Language for Kindergarten: “Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.” In plain terms, use nouns, verbs and question words correctly when you speak and write.
What do I need to teach this lesson?
Two labelled hoops: NAMING WORDS and DOING WORDS, word cards, none of which can be both and the printable practice sheet linked at the end of this plan. Everything listed is either ordinary classroom equipment or a free printable from this site — there is nothing to buy and nothing to prepare beyond photocopying.
What mistakes should I expect in this lesson?
Three, each a reasoning error rather than carelessness: sorts a word both ways and cannot choose — 'run' is a thing you do and also a run; adds -s to a verb and calls it a plural — 'he runs' means more than one run and says 'boxs', 'dishs', 'buss'. The plan gives the thinking behind each one and the teaching move that addresses the thinking rather than the symptom.
How do I know whether the lesson worked?
The exit ticket asks: “Is 'jump' a naming word or a doing word? Now: one box, two ___?.” 'Boxes'. 'Boxs' means the say-it-aloud step needs to come before writing next time. That tells you whether the class needs a reteach or a thirty-second conversation before you plan tomorrow.
Is there a worksheet to go with Naming Words and Doing Words?
Yes — 1 printable L.K.1 worksheet, linked at the end of the plan and free like the rest of the site. Each one comes with an answer key and 25 versions, so the practice after the lesson can be a different paper on every desk.
Is Naming Words and Doing Words free to use?
Yes. The plan, its printables and their answer keys are free to read, print and photocopy for your own class, with no account and no email capture. It was last reviewed on 7 September 2026. Please do not resell it or republish it as your own.
Last reviewed 2026-09-07. Aligned to L.K.1 of the Common Core State Standards for English language arts.