English Contractions

Communicative Grammar

Many people believe that contractions should never be used in writing, but this is a mistake. Contractions
express tone, and are an important part of informal writing.
They are also important for expressing tone in works of
fiction.
The use of contractions is frowned upon in formal
writing, perhaps to convey a tone of seriousness.
Unquestionably, contractions are most common
and useful in spoken, informal language.
Contractions do not follow fast rules, and some
are irregular (will not wont, shall not shant). For this
reason, contractions pose a challenge to English language
learners. It is best to use a communicative approach to
teaching contractions (About.com Grammar & Composition,
2012). Retrieved June 27, 2012, from
www.grammar.about.com/od/words/a/
EnglishContractions.htm

Michael A. DePolis
Grand Canyon University: TSL 534
June 27, 2012

Communicative
Grammar Strategies
The three lessons provided here will
include an advance organizer, a
communication task, review, multiple
exposure to communicative materials
highlighting task, and systematic
review and extension after each
activity (Celce-Murcia, 2001).

Three contractions lesson plans

for ESL teachers
The English language uses many
contractions. Spanish, in contrast, uses

Communication and feedback make it meaningful.

two; a and el, al, and de and el, del.

Lesson 1, Contraction Action

(Action Factor, Inc., 2012)
Retrieved June 27, 2012, from
www.actionfactor.com/pages/lessonplans/v2.09-contractions.html

Lesson 2, Contractions: Please dont touch

(Brain POP, 2012) Retrieved June 27, 2012, from
www.brainpopjr.com/readingandwriting/word/contractions/
grownups.wenl

Students will read, hear, write, and say common contractions of verbs with not.
(example, do + not = dont
Students will read, write, and say pronouns
with a verb. (example, I + am = Im)

Teach the concept with examples.

Sing Your Way Through Phonics Volume 2,

tracks 17 and 18.

Index cards, small groups, or partners.

Review.

Extension/Evaluation.

(Charles Dickens, 1865)

from www.suite101.com/article/teaching-contractionslesson-plan-a161608
Objective:

Objectives:

Lesson 3, Teaching Contractions Lesson

Plan (D. Sholes, 2009) Retrieved June 27, 2012,

Objective:

Students will read, hear, write, and say common contractions

Teach the concept with examples.

As students watch the video, Please dont touch, they will

write contractions that they see and hear.

Teacher reviews concept.

Students, in groups or pairs, illustrate concept with sentence strips.

Play Contraction Match-Up in groups or pairs.

Contraction Jar. Put a counter in the jar every time a

contraction is used.

Play Contraction Hunt. Students find contractions in

books in pairs or groups.

Teacher extension/evaluation.

Students will read, hear, write, and say common contractions.

Teach the concept with examples.

Play Matching Contractions Game in pairs or groups.

Cut and paste contractions worksheet. Say your contractions to your partner or group.

Review and extend. Build more contractions.

Write sentences with your family using contractions.

Evaluation. Check for active use.