Real-Life Writing © Scholastic Teaching Resources
3. Spelling Contractions
Discuss
A contraction is a shortened form of two words. Say the examples below.
What letter is left out in the contraction? What mark takes the place of the letter
that is left out?
Two Words
Contraction
Two Words
Contraction
I am
I’m
it is
it’s
he is
he’s
that is
that’s
she is
she’s
is not
isn’t
we are
we’re
are not
aren’t
you are
you’re
does not
doesn’t
they are
they’re
do not
don’t
Writing Practice
Complete the sentences by writing the contraction for the words under the line. Refer to the
chart above. Be sure to put the apostrophe (’) in the right place.
1. _______________ going to the movies with Laura.
I am
2. I _______________ really like the stars, but _______________ Laura’s favorites.
do not
they are
3. Next week,_______________ going to see Slime From Outer Space.
we are
4. _______________ a movie I really want to see!
That is
5. The alien is ugly, but _______________ also very friendly.
he is
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Real-Life Writing © Scholastic Teaching Resources
Use what you’ve learned.
Partner Work
1. With your partner, go over the contractions
you wrote in Writing Practice. Where did
you put the apostrophes? What letters did
a. Shes She’s a basketball star.
b. I think its __________ too late to go to the
movies.
you correctly leave out? Make any correc-
c. A poem doesnt __________ have to rhyme.
tions that are needed. Then read your sen-
d. That book isnt __________ in our library.
tences aloud to one another.
e. My dogs arent __________ allowed to go
out without leashes.
3. With your partner, write the two words that
2. In the following sentences, the underlined
words are not spelled correctly. With your
each correct contraction above stands for.
The first one is done for you.
partner, decide how they should be spelled.
Cross out the incorrect spelling. Write the
correct spelling on the line after the word.
She is
a.____________________
d. ________________
b.______________________ e.__________________
c.______________________
The first one is done for you.
Writing on Your Own
Rewrite the following paragraph. Use contractions for the underlined words.
We are taking a test tomorrow. I am not looking forward to it. It is a science test and science is not my
best subject. Jan will help me study because she is a science whiz. I do not know what I would do without
her help.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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pp. 10–11
Writing Practice
1. I’m
2. don’t
3. they’re
4. That’s
5. he’s
Partner Work
2. a.
She’s
b. it’s
c.
3. a
e. aren’t
doesn’t
She is
b. it is
c.
d. isn’t
d. is not
e. are not
does not
Writing on Your Own
We’re, I’m, It’s, isn’t, she’s, don’t