Forming Contractions from Two Words
About this lesson
Children work with a partner to join pairs of words, such as do not and I am, into contractions. They practise using an apostrophe to replace the missing letters, then turn contractions back into two words. It takes about 12 minutes and needs only a whiteboard, scrap paper and pencils.
- Grade
- 2
- Subject
- ELA
- Time
- 12 min
- Prep
- 3 min
Objective
Students will form common contractions from two words and explain that the apostrophe stands for the missing letter or letters.
Prep
3 min: write 8 word pairs on the board (do not, is not, did not, I am, it is, we are, you will, they have)
Materials
- whiteboard and markers
- scrap paper
- pencils
Steps
- Write 'do not' on the board, erase the second o, and put an apostrophe in its place to make don't. Say, 'A contraction squeezes two words together, and the apostrophe holds the spot where letters were taken out.'
- Point to the next word pair. Partners write the contraction on scrap paper and hold it up when you count to three.
- Invite one pair to the board to cross out the missing letters and write the apostrophe in the right spot. Repeat for each word pair on the list.
- Switch it around by saying a sentence with a contraction, such as 'I can't find my shoe.' Partners whisper the two long words to each other, then say them aloud together.
- Finish by asking each pair to say one sentence using a contraction from the board.
Quick Check
Write 'we will' on the board and have each child write the contraction on their scrap paper. Check that the apostrophe sits where the letters 'wi' were taken out.
Differentiation
Make it easier: Use only the 'not' contractions (don't, isn't, didn't) so children practise one pattern of dropping the o.
Make it harder: Add tricky pairs like will not (won't) and could have (could've) and ask partners to explain what changed.
Good For
- Transition time
- Review
- Supply teacher
- Before lunch
