The Fun Ways to Teach Contractions to Children

Contraction Concentration

• Contraction Concentration is a way to get your students to work in groups for a little extra help and fun. Print out several copies of the Contraction Concentration game from AdrianBruce.com and cut out each game piece. Separate your students into groups of four or five, and hand each group one game. The game pieces should all be placed on a desk face down. The first student flips over two game pieces. If the two pieces match (for example, "He is" and "He's"), he removes the pieces and continues to try to find a match. If he cannot make another correct match, the next student in the group takes his turn. The student with the most matching games pieces at the end wins.

"The Contraction Song"

• Teaching the students a catchy song on contractions, such as the one from PedagoNet.com, can help them understand and remember contractions a little better. Print out "The Contraction Song," and hand out a copy to each of your students. Sing the song with your students several times until they remember it. Having your students memorize this song will enable them to use it as a mental study guide for quizzes or homework. After memorizing the song, reinforce what the students have learned by handing out any worksheets that you have prepared in your contractions lesson plan.

Contraction Crossword

• Crossword puzzles are another fun way to teach contractions to your students. To add a little extra challenge for your students, you can incorporate some non-contraction vocabulary words and definitions that they are also learning in class. You can make your own crossword puzzles on the Internet or using Windows Excel, or you can simply print off a ready-made contraction crossword puzzle, such as the one from ABCTeach.com.

Interactive Games

• For classrooms that are equipped with computers or learning software, get your students involved with interactive games. Utilizing the Internet to teach your students about contractions will not only help them learn and understand the rules in a fun way, but it will also allow your students to practice contractions from home on their own computers. Have your students work in groups or individually to play the games.