There are several different noun types and we teach them all in third grade grammar. In this blog post, we’ll explore effective activities for teaching both concrete and abstract nouns, making it easier for your students to recognize and use them correctly in their writing.
What are Concrete and Abstract Nouns?
Concrete nouns are nouns that name a physical person, place, or thing, that can be experienced with your five senses.
Concrete Noun Examples:
- Sand
- Pie
- Cloud
- Music
- Smoke
- cloud
Abstract nouns are nouns that refer to feelings, ideas, and qualities. They cannot be experienced with our five senses.
Abstract Nouns Examples
- Pride
- Fear
- Luck
- Goal
- Memory
- Success
- Bravery
- Humor
How do you know if a noun is abstract or concrete?
The main difference between concrete and abstract nouns is whether they refer to something that can be experienced or perceived with the senses or not.
How to Teach Concrete and Abstract Nouns
Introduce the two types of nouns and teach their differences. I use interactive teaching slides with visuals, examples, partner games, sorting activities, and reading sentences with concrete and abstract nouns in context.
After introducing the two types of nouns we spend the week generating and categorizing examples, writing sentences, reading grammar passages, and locating concrete nouns and abstract nouns, and practicing with task cards.
This simple daily grammar routine gives your students practice in a variety of ways to help them remember and master identifying and using concrete and abstract nouns.
Concrete and Abstract Nouns Activities
Teaching Slides with Whole Group Games
Colorful and engaging lesson slides make introducing the skill and teaching the minilessons so easy! Each PowerPoint includes not only minilessons but also interactive whole group and partner practice activities.
Grammar Gazette Reading Passages
Give students another way to practice identifying and categorizing concrete and abstract nouns by finding examples in a reading passage. These creative reading passages allow students to identify concrete and abstract nouns in context while reading a fun “Grammar Gazette” news article written by a kid reporter.
Concrete and Abstract Noun Task Cards
Have students continue to practice using task cards. Use the cards as a literacy center or place them around the room for students to “roam the room” to complete with a partner. Another option is to spread the cards onto desks. Students complete the card and pass it on to the next student.
The task cards include cards in two formats. Some ask students to identify examples and non-examples of concrete and abstract nouns. While others ask students to categorize the two noun types in example sentences.
Concrete and Abstract Noun Worksheets
Students engage in independent practice with targeted practice worksheets. The worksheets include a short reading passage, cut-and-paste word sort, and an activity for generating and writing sentences using concrete and abstract nouns.
For ideas on how to make worksheets more fun and exciting in your classroom, check out this post: 8 Ways to Use Grammar Worksheets That You May Not Know About
Make a Grammar Glossary Notebook
Grammar glossaries are a fun way for students to make reference notebooks. Simply glue the half sheets into a standard notebook and add the cover label to the front of the notebook.
Concrete and Abstract Nouns Lesson Plans
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Third grade grammar units are available individually by standard and in money-saving bundles. Purchase the units here, in my ATK shop or in my TPT shop.
Daily Grammar Routine
- Day 1: Minilesson & Whole Group Practice on Interactive Teaching Slides
- Day 2: Partner Practice & Worksheet
- Day 3: Read Concrete & Abstract Nouns in Context
- Day 4: Task Cards center activity
- Day 5: Assess & Grammar Glossary
Concrete and Abstract Nouns Videos
Nouns: Concrete and Abstract for Kids!
Concrete and Abstract Nouns for Kids
Concrete Nouns Music Video
Teaching concrete and abstract nouns in 3rd grade grammar is so much more fun with these activities! This no-prep grammar resource gives you a full week of skill-building grammar activities so that you can provide your students with short, daily practice to master 3.L.1.C, identifying and using concrete and abstract nouns, in a variety of formats. No more scrambling to find practice activities OR assessments each week!
All the activities in this unit are intentionally designed to be very simple, with easy-to-understand activities for students, and easy-to-grade papers for the teacher. All the materials require very little prep or no prep at all. You’ll only need to make copies and cut out a few straight lines on the task cards to be ready to go!
I hope you’ll try them with your students!
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