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DODO Learning
Think Once. In Both Languages.
Lesson 20
Little DODO · Phase 3

Capitalizing Story Titles

Mouse Soup · pp. 44-66 (heavy) · Format B · Disposition: Making Connections · 25 min
Mouse Soup
Pages this lesson: 44-66
Grammar · Capitalization · Titles
Students learn to capitalize important words in titles, excluding small words like 'the' and 'at'.
Title Capitalization · Proper Nouns In Titles · Identifying Important Words · Grammar Conventions
Introduce

Vocabulary Exploration· 5 min

Sound focus: capital letters in titles
Target words
  1. Thorn 44: “THE THORN BUSH”
  2. Bush 44: “THE THORN BUSH”
  3. Mouse 54: “"There," said the mouse.”
Today we're reading The Thorn Bush story. Look at those big capital letters at the top of page 44. Let's name them together — T-H-O-R-N, B-U-S-H. Those capitals tell us this is the title. Let's hunt for more capitalized words as we read.
Exploration steps
  1. Point to the title on page 44 and name each capital letter together
  2. Students hunt for other capitalized words on pages 54-66
  3. Chorus the title words, clapping once for each capital letter
Expected responses
  • T is capital
  • Bush starts with a big B
  • I see capitals at the top
Differentiation

Fast finishers: count how many capitals on one page; quiet kids: point to one capital together.

Transition cue

Tap the title three times — Reading Time.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't correct lowercase 'the' in titles yet — focus on capitals that ARE there first.

Why this matters: Capital letters anchor title recognition before independent reading.

Reading in Class· 10 min

Required reading pages: 44-66
Opening move: Point to the old lady crying at her door on page 44.
This story has two parts. First, an old lady has a problem with her chair. Then the mouse tricks the weasel one more time. Let's walk through the pictures first, then read together. Watch what the policeman does to help.
Read-aloud steps
  1. Picture-walk pages 44-66: old lady with thorn bush, policeman helps, weasel runs outside, mouse escapes
  2. Read aloud once at storytelling pace, pausing at the roses on page 52
  3. Read again with students chorusing the repeated question pattern
Call-and-response refrains
  1. How did it get there? 47: “"How did it get there?" asked the policeman.”
Expected responses
  • the lady is crying
  • roses grew on the bush
  • the mouse ran away
Differentiation

Struggling readers: chorus only the question on page 47; fast finishers: predict what the weasel will find.

Transition cue

Close the book — Questions Time.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't rush the picture-walk — 23 pages is long for this band.

Why this matters: Heavy reading load — split into two chunks at page 54 if attention flags.

Questions Time· 7 min

Comprehension questions
  1. Which word in the title has a capital T? 44: “THE THORN BUSH”
  2. Find another capital letter on page 54. What word does it start? 54: “"There," said the mouse.”
Extension

Make a new title for this story using capitals.

44: “THE THORN BUSH”

What students produce: Students say or write a 2-3 word title with capitals on important words.

Let's look at the title again. See those big capital letters? They tell us which words are important. Now you make a title for a story you know. Which words get capitals? Say your title out loud first, then we'll write it together.
Expected responses
  • The Mouse Runs
  • Weasel and Mouse
  • Big Roses
Differentiation

Fast finishers: write two titles; quiet kids: choose from three word cards and arrange them.

Transition cue

Hold up your title — Closing Time.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't expect perfect lowercase 'the' yet — celebrate any capitals on important words.

Why this matters: Picture prompt protects kids who can't yet write independently — they can say their title aloud.

Conclusion· 3 min

Routine: My Title · Disposition: Making Connections
Student-facing prompts
Recap: One word I capitalized was
Take-home: Tell a grown-up: titles have capital letters on important words.
Every story has a title with capital letters. Today you made your own title. Let's share what we capitalized. Turn to your partner and say: One word I capitalized was... Then take your title home and read it to someone.
Expected responses
  • Mouse
  • The first word
  • Bush
Differentiation

Quiet kids: share with the navigator one-on-one; fast finishers: add a second title to their paper.

Anticipated pitfalls

Don't let one loud student chorus over the quiet kids — count to three before accepting shares.

Why this matters: Same shape every day so kids own the close.