Apostrophe Adventures: Learning About 's!

English Language Arts Grades Kindergarten 2:31 Video
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Lesson Description

Let's learn all about apostrophes! We'll discover how they show that something belongs to someone and how they help us make words shorter.

Video Resource

The Apostrophe - Learn to Read for Kids!

Miacademy Learning Channel

Duration: 2:31
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Apostrophes show possession.
  • Apostrophes create contractions.
  • Contractions shorten words by replacing letters with an apostrophe.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify examples of apostrophes showing possession.
  • Students will be able to identify examples of apostrophes used in contractions.
  • Students will be able to explain, in simple terms, the purpose of an apostrophe.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Begin by asking students if they have ever seen a little hook above a word. Introduce the term 'apostrophe.' Tell them that today, they'll become apostrophe experts!
  • Video Time (5 mins)
    Watch the YouTube video: 'The Apostrophe - Learn to Read for Kids!' by Miacademy Learning Channel. Pause at key points to reinforce understanding.
  • Possession Exploration (10 mins)
    Explain that apostrophes can show that something belongs to someone. Use simple examples like, 'This is Tommy's ball' or 'The dog's bone.' Have students share what belongs to them and create sentences using 's.
  • Contraction Creation (10 mins)
    Introduce contractions as a way to make words shorter. Use examples from the video like 'I am' becomes 'I'm.' Write the words on the board and show how the apostrophe replaces the missing letter. Play a matching game where students connect the two original words with the contraction.
  • Apostrophe Hunt (5 mins)
    Display a short sentence or paragraph with examples of both possessive apostrophes and contractions. Have students identify and circle the apostrophes, then discuss why they are used.
  • Wrap Up (5 mins)
    Review the key concepts. Ask students when they might see or use apostrophes in their own writing or reading.

Interactive Exercises

  • My Belongings
    Have each student draw a picture of something that belongs to them. Underneath, they write a sentence: 'This is [student's name]'s [object].'
  • Contraction Match
    Create cards with pairs of words (e.g., 'is not,' 'I will') and matching cards with the contractions (e.g., 'isn't,' 'I'll'). Students match the pairs.

Discussion Questions

  • What does it mean when something 'belongs' to someone?
  • Why do we use contractions?
  • Can you think of any other words that use apostrophes?

Skills Developed

  • Reading comprehension
  • Sentence construction
  • Understanding punctuation
  • Active Listening
  • Collaborative Discussions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

What does an apostrophe look like?

Correct Answer: A hook

Question 2:

What does 'Mary's book' mean?

Correct Answer: The book belongs to Mary

Question 3:

What does 'I'm' mean?

Correct Answer: I am

Question 4:

What is it called when something belongs to someone?

Correct Answer: Possession

Question 5:

What does an apostrophe do in a contraction?

Correct Answer: Takes the place of missing letters

Question 6:

Which of these shows that the ball belongs to Tom?

Correct Answer: Tom's ball

Question 7:

Which word is a contraction for 'is not'?

Correct Answer: Isn't

Question 8:

What is 'he's' a short way of saying?

Correct Answer: He is

Question 9:

Where does an apostrophe sit?

Correct Answer: High on the line

Question 10:

What kind of mark is an apostrophe?

Correct Answer: Punctuation

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

An apostrophe looks like a small ________.

Correct Answer: hook

Question 2:

'My toy' ________ means the toy belongs to me.

Correct Answer: s

Question 3:

An apostrophe takes the place of missing ________.

Correct Answer: letters

Question 4:

'I am' becomes ________ when we use an apostrophe.

Correct Answer: I'm

Question 5:

An apostrophe can show ________, that something belongs to someone.

Correct Answer: possession

Question 6:

A ________ is a short way of saying two words.

Correct Answer: contraction

Question 7:

The ________ sits high on the line.

Correct Answer: apostrophe

Question 8:

'She is' becomes ________.

Correct Answer: she's

Question 9:

When you say 'the dog____ bone', it means the bone belongs to the dog.

Correct Answer: 's

Question 10:

We use ________ to make words shorter.

Correct Answer: apostrophes

Educational Standards

K.2.PC.5:Students will recognize the distinguishing features of a sentence (e.g., capitalization of the first word, ending punctuation: period, exclamation point, question mark) with prompting. K.2.PWS.3:Students will produce the sounds for short and long vowels and the most common sound for consonants (e.g., a = /ă/ & /ā/, f = /f/, s = /s/, x = /ks/). K.4.W.1:Students will use new vocabulary to produce and expand complete sentences in shared language activities. K.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon discussion rules with prompting. K.1.S.2:Students will engage in collaborative discussions about various topics and texts, including their own writing, with peers and adults in small and large groups with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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