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Apostrophe Wars!
KS3 > Skills > Sentence level work ~ grammar and punctuation
How it works
Want to check that your pupils understand how to use apostrophes?
Want to guarantee that your apostrophe revision has worked? This
simple worksheet is ideal! Attractively presented on a single sheet, it
contains a variety of sentences that lack their all-important
apostrophes.
The sentences are arranged so that apostrophes of possession and
omission are in random order. Some sentences require both kinds,
while others include well-chosen ‘red-herrings’ – pupils really have to
keep their wits about them!
Try this!
Vary the names (etc) in relevant places to ‘personalise’ the sentences
and make them appropriate for your class. Then, offer the sheet as
either a starter or a plenary activity, with pupils competing
individually, in pairs or in small groups.
Display the sheet on the IWB so that you can mark pupils’ answers
together and identify any areas that you might need to go over.
Or this!
Using the sheet as a model, ask pupils to write their own sentences
without the necessary apostrophes. When everyone has composed a
set number, ask pupils to swap papers and carefully mark the
apostrophes in correctly. This is a good opportunity for discussion
between pupils as they identify correct usage.
If you have access to an ICT suite/laptops, pupils should compose
their sentences as a word-processed document. Do the spell checks
or grammar checks point pupils towards missing apostrophes?
Or this!
Repeat the above exercise, but this time ask pupils to produce
sentences peppered with superfluous apostrophes! The challenge this
time, of course, is to remove the unnecessary punctuation.
Lorna Smith
© 2006 www.teachit.co.uk
1164 – 4868
All these sentences have apostrophes missing
Some are omissions (contractions), some possession
Your job is figure out where the ’ belongs
1.
My best friends sister is called Jodie.
2.
I havent done my homework.
3.
Mrs Williams English lessons are the best.
4.
If they go down the shops theyll miss the start of the football.
5.
Frank Lampards goal this weekend was brilliant.
6.
There werent any eggs left after Jamie dropped the box.
7.
“Youre my best friend,” said Hasib.
8.
Michelle shouldve caught the half-past eight bus, but she missed it.
9.
Judys car isnt very reliable, its always breaking down.
10.
Im always late for school in the mornings, its my dads fault.
11.
Weve won lots of cups this year; were Worcestershires best school.
12.
There arent many cars Id drive but I like Mazdas, like Miss Smiths.
© 2003 www.teachit.co.uk
1164.doc