Immortalize the difference between nouns and proper nouns for your students, for this is precisely where most confusion arises. On the back of their English notebook, ask them to create two headings at the top: Noun and Proper Noun.
Review with your students what a noun is: a person, place or thing -- and a general, non-specific person, place or thing.
Ask them to write these three words on the left side of their notebook. As they will begin to see, they are beginning to create a simple chart depicting the difference between a noun and a proper noun.
Review with your students what a proper noun is: a person, place or thing -- but a specific person, place or thing.
Ask students for suggestions of nouns. Guide their efforts if they get stuck, but remember that you are trying to draw a vivid contrast in their minds between a noun and a proper noun.
Have students write a senator, a lake and a holiday under the heading "Noun." Emphasize that these are all general, non-specific words, for you could be referring to untold numbers of senators, lakes and holidays.
Direct students' attention to the "Proper Noun" heading and ask them to give you the name of a specific senator, lake and holiday, such as Senator Hillary Clinton, Lake Geneva and Christmas. Have them write these words under the heading.
Point out that these words are capitalized, for proper nouns are capitalized.
Give your students a few minutes to repeat the exercise either in the classroom or as a homework assignment. Ask them to draft a list of three general persons, places and things (nouns) and then three specific persons, places and things (proper nouns).
Pair up students and give them a stack of flashcards. Half of the stack -- the bigger cards -- should contain an assortment of nouns and proper nouns. The other half -- the smaller cards -- should be equally divided between the word "noun" and "proper noun." (The difference in the size of the cards will make it easier for students to identify which card is which.) Have the pair put all of the cards face down on the floor and, taking turns, have them make the appropriate matches until all the cards are gone.