Hi there,

This week in my classroom, we’ve been working on contractions, and I wanted to share some of what that has looked like—because this is one of those skills that seems simple, but students really need to see it, hear it, and practice it in multiple ways before it clicks.

What I Tell My Students

I explain contractions like this: We take two words and push them together to make a shorter word.

But we don’t just smash them together—we take letters out and replace them with an apostrophe.

So:

• do not → don’t
• I am → I’m
• you are → you’re

I always remind them that the apostrophe is doing a job—it’s holding the place of the missing letters. Once they understand that piece, things start to click.

3 Simple Activities I’m Using

1. Contraction Mix & Match I write word pairs on separate cards (like “can” and “not,” “I” and “am”) and mix them up.

Students walk around and find their match. Once they do, we say the contraction together.

Then I ask:

• What letters are missing?
• Where does the apostrophe go?

This keeps it from becoming guessing and turns it into real understanding.

2. Build-A-Contraction (Guided Practice) This is where I slow it down and teach it step-by-step.

I say two words like “we are,” and students write both words first.

Then we build the contraction together. We talk through:

• Which letters are we taking out?
• Where does the apostrophe go?

I model it, and they follow along—changing “we are” into “we’re.”

This is huge for students who aren’t ready to do it independently yet.

You can do this with:

• whiteboards
• paper
• dry erase sleeves
• or even air writing

3. Quiz, Quiz, Trade (Partner Practice with Movement)

This is one of my favorites once students have had some guided practice.

Before you start, give each student a card. On one side, write two words (like “she is”), and on the other side, write the contraction (“she’s”).

Here’s how it works step-by-step:

1. Students stand up and walk around the room.
2. When you say “pair up,” they find a partner.
3. Student A shows their card and reads the two words (for example, “she is”).
4. Student B says the contraction (“she’s”).
5. Student A checks the answer on the back of the card and helps if needed.
6. Then they switch roles and repeat.
7. When both students have had a turn, they trade cards and find a new partner.

And then you just keep that cycle going.

What I love about this is:

• every student is talking
• they’re getting repeated practice
• and it doesn’t feel like drill work

If you have younger students, you can slow it down and even do the first few rounds together so they understand the routine.

Freebie for You 🎉

I created a simple cut-and-paste worksheet where students match contractions to the words they come from for even more practice.

👉Contractions Cut and Paste FREEBIE​

If you want to hear more about how this looks in my classroom (and a few extra thoughts I didn’t include here), you can listen to the full episode:

🎧 Teaching Contractions in First Grade​

Scripture (Only use words for) what is helpful for building others up…” — Ephesians 4:29b (NIV)

Prayer Dear God, Thank You for the work You’ve called us to do. Help us to use our words to build up our students and encourage those around us. Give us patience, wisdom, and grace in the classroom each day. Amen.

I’m always cheering you on. What you’re doing matters more than you know.

The Education Connection

First Grade Love @Teachers Pay Teachers