I compiled up free contraction activities, games and printables for teaching young learners and wanted to share them through this blog post. I used these printables myself to teach my kids about contraction. Also below is a short lesson which I used to introduce the topic. Have fun teaching!

Demonstrate:
  1. Show a rubber band to your kids
  2. Ask what will happen to the rubber band if you stretch it. (It expands)
  3. Ask what will happen if you let it go. (It contracts)

Explain:
  1. Contraction. Explain that when you stretch a rubber band, it expands and when you let it go, it contracts. Contraction works the same way. Contraction refers to a word made by shortening and combining two words. To "contract" means to "make shorter or smaller." We form contraction when combine two longer words into one shorter word. The words are shortened by dropping one or more letters and replacing the letters by an apostrophe.
  2. Apostrophe - Explain that a contraction requires an apostrophe. (Draw or show a picture of an apostrophe). An apostrophe takes the place of the omitted letters. For example, the words "I am" is contracted to "I'm" by removing "a" and replacing it with an ('). 
  3. When do we use contraction - We use contractions in everyday speech and informal writing. They are sometimes called "short forms" or "shortcuts". Instead of saying "Do not tell a lie," we say "Don't tell a lie."

Video watching:

Show kids how the words are contracted by showing this video:


Fun Activities and Games:

Children may have difficult time understanding contractions. But turning things into fun, hands-on activities will not only help kids gain familiarity on how contractions are formed but will also help them retained what they have learned. Have the kids practice contracting words with these fun activities:

1. Folding strips. Have the kids fold the word strips to show how "can not" becomes "can't," etc. You can download and print this free folding strips from twinkl.com. (Requires registration)


2. Folding strips. These folding strips work the other way around. The shortened words appear on the folded papers and when popped, the two words that are made into contractions are revealed. To make the folding strips, simply download and print the free printable from thewiseowlfactory.com, cut each strip, fold along the lines and place paper clips as apostrophes. Have the kids guess the words that make up the contraction before popping the strip.


3. Play memory game using this free Contractions for a Rainy Day printable from Caitlyn Jackson. (Requires registration)


4. Play domino game. Make learning contractions for kids fun with a contraction domino game. Just print this free printable domino game from 123homeschool4me.com, cut the domino cards apart, laminate for durability, cut the cards apart again and you ready to play and learn. 

Photo from 123homeschool4me.com

5. Play Band-Aid Contraction Game provided free by 123homeschool4me.com. Children will pick a strip of words and write them in the prescription pad under the "symptom words." Then student will then cut apart the words and “stick” them together using glue and an apostrophe band-aid to make a “contraction diagnosis. ”

Photo from 123homeschool4me.com

6. Interactive notebook. Gay Miller provides a free printable organizer which can serve as an interactive notebook where kids can practice writing contractions. This can also make a quick check guide for spelling contractions correctly. Simply download the printable, print the pages preferably on a cardstock, cut the strips apart and connect the strips with a brad. Then have the kids start writing contractions. 

Photo from teacherspayteachers.com

Other Printables:

1. Free phonics contraction booklets from  measuredmom.com

2. Free contraction flashcards from flashcardfox.com

3. Free contraction printables for teaching contractions from thisreadingmama.com

4. Free contraction worksheet from superteacherworksheets.com