Introduce contractions

Activity Type: Introduce

Activity Form: Standard

Grade: 1

Group Size: Small Group, Whole Class

Length: 8 minutes

Materials: Contractions index cards (print them here)

Goal: Given a written word with a contraction, the student can say the word ( it's -> "it's" ).

Items: it's, I'm, you'll, he's, didn't

What to do

Write the word it's on the board or use an index card (here). Here's a weird word. It's weird because it has this mark in it. Point to the apostrophe. It has a weird name: an apostrophe. When you read a word with an apostrophe in it, just ignore it: read it as if the apostrophe weren't there. So sound out this word with me: iiitsss. Again: iiitsss.
Now we say the word fast, but ignore the apostrophe. My turn first: it's.
Now your turn. Show students the word I'm. Cover everything but the I. How do you say this word? Students: I. Right! So now say the whole work. Remember: ignore the apostrophe. Ready? Students: I'm. Good!
Want to know the secret of the apostrophe? The secret is that it stands for some letters that used to be there. So I'm used to be I am. Write I am and I'm on the board. Now instead of I am, we sometimes say I'm. The apostrophe goes where the letter a used to be.
Repeat with you'll, he's, didn't. For at least one of these words, show students the full phrase, such as did not.
Watch for students who are not joining in, and give them an individual turn. If they continue to struggle, make a note in an Activity Log.