✨ Lesson Title: Goodbye, Little i — The Power of Standing Tall

Grade: 8

Time: 35–45 minutes

Theme: Maturity, identity, and pride in writing

🧭 Learning Goals

Students will:

Understand that writing conventions (like capitalizing I) show self-awareness and respect for their own voice.
Recognize i vs. I as a metaphor for growth — from childish to confident, from unsure to self-assured.
Reflect on how language mirrors identity and maturity.
Practice intentional, empowered writing using I to express confidence and ownership.

💥 Essential Question

Why does lowercase i have no place in 8th grade?
What does capital I say about how I see myself and my voice?

🪶 1️⃣ Warm-Up: Meeting Little i (5 minutes)

Display this on the board or a slide:

“hi. i am little i. i don’t like standing out. i keep my head down. i don’t think i’m important enough to be capitalized.”

Then read it aloud — softly, quietly, almost like a shy voice.

Ask:

“What do you notice about how this sounds?”
“How does little i make you feel?”

Students will usually say it sounds childish, timid, unsure.

Then say:

“Exactly. Little i is still in 3rd grade. But 8th graders? You’re growing into strong writers who stand tall in your sentences — confident, proud, and ready for high school.”

💪 2️⃣ Mini-Lesson: The Power of Capital I (10 minutes)

Write on the board:

i → I

Discuss:

Why is “I” the only pronoun in English that’s always capitalized?
- Because you matter.
- English evolved that way to emphasize self-worth and clarity.
- In writing, capital I says: “My voice counts. My thoughts are worth reading.”

Explain that lowercase i isn’t just a small mistake — it’s a missed opportunity to show confidence.

💬 Ask:

“What does it say about a person who never capitalizes ‘I’?
What does it say about someone who always does?”

🎭 3️⃣ Interactive Activity: The Break-Up Letter (10–15 minutes)

Prompt:

Write a short “goodbye letter” to lowercase i.

You can start with:
“Dear little i, It’s time for me to move on…”

Explain why you’ve outgrown it — why you’re ready to write as I now.
Be playful or serious. Make it poetic, dramatic, or funny.
(Use proper capitalization throughout, of course!)

💬 Examples:

Sincere:

“Dear little i,
You were there when I was learning to write, but I’ve grown. I need space to stand tall. You can rest now — I’ve got this.
— I”

Playful:

“Dear little i,
You’re too small for me now. I’m heading to high school. Keep in touch — maybe text me from 2nd grade.
Yours truly,
I”

Reflective:

“Dear little i,
You always hid in the middle of words, afraid to stand alone. I’m not afraid anymore.
Love,
I”

💡 4️⃣ Reflection: From i to I (5 minutes)

Ask students:

“How did it feel to write as I — not i?”
“What does capital I represent about who you’re becoming?”

Then write on the board:

“I” = Identity, Independence, Integrity, Intention

Let them choose one word to define what their I stands for.

🌟 5️⃣ Exit Ticket

Complete this sentence:
“Today, I learned that my capital I means __________.”

Collect them to display later as a “Wall of I — Voices that Stand Tall.”

🏁 Optional Extension — The Ceremony of I

Turn it into a mini-ritual:

Have everyone cross out lowercase i on a slip of paper.
Above it, write a bold I with their favorite pen.
Play calm or inspiring music (like cinematic background).
End by saying together:

“I stand tall. I write with purpose. I am ready to be heard.”

❤️ Teacher Closing Message

“Capital I isn’t just grammar — it’s self-respect.
Every time you write I, you remind the world that you’re here, you matter, and your words have power.”

EDUCATION

✨ Lesson Title: Goodbye, Little i — The Power of Standing Tall