📖

Two Words Become One

Contractions

Day 121of 180
Week 25of 36
20Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Understand what a contraction is

2

Recognize the apostrophe as a symbol showing missing letters

3

Learn how two words can combine into one word

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 22:6

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

— Proverbs 22:6 (WEB)

Just like words can join together, God helps us grow and learn together

📦 Materials Needed

  • Whiteboard and marker
  • Contraction cards
  • Apostrophe cards
  • Scissors
  • Glue stick
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and explain that today we'll learn about special words called contractions that join two words into one.

💭 Review Question: Who can tell me what two words look different when they're together?
2Teaching (8 min)

Demonstrate how words like 'do not' can become 'don't'. Show how the apostrophe (') replaces missing letters.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • Contractions help us speak and write more quickly
  • The apostrophe shows where letters are missing
  • Contractions are like word friends that stick together
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • Can you think of any words that might join together?
  • What do you notice about the apostrophe?
3Activity: Contraction Creation (5 min)
hands-on

Students will cut out word pairs and create their own contraction cards

📝 Instructions:
  1. Give each student two word cards
  2. Show how to use scissors and glue
  3. Help students place apostrophe correctly
  4. Share their new contraction words
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Pre-cut words for students to match

Challenge: Students create their own word combinations to contract

4Closing (2 min)

Review what we learned about contractions today

📝 Review Questions:
  • What does an apostrophe do?
  • Can you show me a contraction?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for helping us learn and grow. Bless our learning today.

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll learn about more special contractions!

💎 Memory Verse

Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”

— Psalm 119:105 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Use hand motions to represent a lamp and walking

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

Contractions are shortened word combinations that can be challenging for young learners

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Practice contractions during everyday conversation
  • Use playful, patient approach
  • Celebrate small victories in learning
🤔 Common Struggles:

Remembering where the apostrophe goes and understanding why words change

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Child's ability to identify and create simple contractions

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Contraction memory game
  • Create a contraction poster
  • Read books that use many contractions

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 122 →Back to Phonics & Reading