Change the numbers, layout and number of problems, then download a new PDF with its answer key.
These free capitalization worksheets, which also teach punctuation, help children in grades 1 and 2 fix sentences: each line is printed in lowercase with no end mark, and children rewrite it with capital letters and the right period, question mark or exclamation mark. Each page has eight sentences from a bank of 60, and the answer key shows every fix. They build handwriting, spacing and proofreading at the same time, in color or black and white.
Capitalization and punctuation worksheets to print (PDF)
The pages below show a fix-the-sentence sheet, its answer key, and a kinds of sentences sheet. Use the maker at the top of this page to change the number of pages, the font, black and white ink or the paper size, then press New sentences for a fresh set. Every sheet has an answer key.
Fix the sentenceCapitals and end marks.PDFAnswer keyEvery sentence fixed.PDFEnd punctuationPeriod, ? or !PDFA second pageA different set.PDF
Capitalization worksheets: when to use capital letters
Capital letters mark the start of a sentence and the names of special people, places and days. Children often forget the second kind, which is why the worksheets have them rewrite the whole sentence. Wikipedia’s capitalization article gives the history behind the rules.
Use a capital letter for
Example
The first word of a sentence
The puppy chased a ball.
The pronoun I
Hooray, I won the race!
Names of people and pets
Maya painted a rainbow.
Days of the week
Can we visit the zoo on Saturday?
Months and holidays (later grades)
Thanksgiving is in November.
Names of places (later grades)
We live in Ohio.
Fix the sentence: how many fixes are there?
The 60 sentences in the bank need 60 capital letters at the start, plus 3 more inside the sentences, for names such as Sam, Maya, Leo, Ben, Emma, Jack and Nina, the day Saturday and the word I. That is 63 capital letters in all, and children must notice every one. All 60 sentences need an end mark: 40 periods, 10 question marks and 10 exclamation marks. 9 of the sentences also need a comma, such as after Wow or Hooray, but the commas are already printed, so children focus on capitals and end marks.
End punctuation worksheet: period, question mark or exclamation mark
On a fix the sentence worksheet each sentence is printed in lowercase with no end mark, and children rewrite it correctly on the line below. The task teaches proofreading, because they must read the sentence, decide where the capitals go and choose the end mark, then write it all out. Starting with eight sentences keeps the page manageable, and the answer key prints all of them correctly.
Capital letters and periods worksheet: the first lesson
For beginners, a capital letters and periods worksheet can be as simple as two checks: Does it start with a capital? Does it end with a period or another mark? Practice on sentences you say aloud before using the page, and then move on to names and days, which are the trickier capitals.
Sentence editing 1st grade: a five-day plan
Day
What to do
Monday
Talk about capitals and end marks, and fix two sentences on the board together
Tuesday
Do the first fix-the-sentence page and check with the answer key
Wednesday
Hunt for capital letters in a favorite book and say why each is a capital
Thursday
Do the second page and write three sentences with names
Friday
Proofread a short paragraph with a red pen
Capital letters worksheet and capitalization worksheets for grade 1: names, days and I
Three capitals trip up most first graders: names of people, days of the week and the word I. The sentence bank has all three, such as “Hooray, I won the race!” and “Can we visit the zoo on Saturday?” Ask children to circle the capitals in the answer key after finishing, and count how many they found.
Three things to check in every sentence
Does it start with a capital letter?
Do names, days and the word I have capitals?
Does it end with the right mark? Read it aloud: telling goes down, asking goes up, exclaiming is excited.
Rewriting the whole sentence on the line below the lowercase version makes children look at every word, which is how they catch the capital needed in the middle, like a name or a day.
Teaching capitals and punctuation grade by grade
Grade
What children learn
Standard
Kindergarten
Capitalize the first word in a sentence and the pronoun I; recognize end punctuation
L.K.2.a, L.K.2.b
1
Capitalize dates and names of people; use end punctuation; use commas in dates and series
L.1.2.a, L.1.2.b, L.1.2.c
2
Capitalize holidays, product names and geographic names
