Contractions aren't tricky to teach?

Colleen Gallagher Mar 11 Guest Blogs

There are some things that I find tricky to teach... Contractions to me, are very tricky to teach. Just when you think you have done your job and the kiddos seem to have grasped contractions, you read over a writing assignment and wonder... Did I teach them about contractions???? You know then it's time to review. Hopefully after you read this post you will have a few new ideas of ways to review contractions with your kiddos.

One trick I have that seems to help is...

Remind students that the little apostrophe likes to "eat" letters from words and then sticks all the remaining letters together and makes it a shorter way for us to read it.

One of my favorite reviews of contractions is this little song which I have had filed away for years & bring out when teaching and reteaching about contractions.

The Contraction Song
(to the tune of "London Bridge is Falling Down")

I'm the first word; don't change me!
Don't change me, don't change me.
I'm the first word; don't change me!
Oh, no, just let me be.

When you change the second word,
Second word, second word,
When you change the second word,
A shorter word you'll see.

Certain letters are taken out,
Taken out, taken out.
Certain letters are taken out.
One word will remain.

Apostrophe will fill that space,
Fill that space, fill that space.
Apostrophe will fill that space,
The rest will stay the same.

Can't and couldn't, isn't, too.
Isn't, too, isn't, too,
Won't and I've and let's, it's true,
Contractions every one.

I'm and she's and you're and he'd,
You're and he'd, you're and he'd,
Wouldn't, didn't, we'll and she'd,
Good! And now we're done.

(works for most contractions but not examples such as 'tis, o'clock, man-o'-war...)