Contractions with Not

Day 1: Introduction & Guided Practice

Objective

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.B
Form and use contractions correctly in writing (e.g., don’t, isn’t).

I can use contractions with "not" correctly in my writing.

Success Criteria

• I can explain what a contraction is.
• I can form contractions with "not" such as “don’t,” “isn’t,” and “can’t.”
• I can say the words correctly and write them neatly.

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Materials

• Whiteboard or chart paper
• Markers
• Pre-made anchor chart slide: “Contractions with ‘not’ and Apostrophes Usage” (See detailed slide description below)
• Student notebooks/journals

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1. I Do (5 minutes)

• Begin by asking: “What do you think a contraction is?”
• Define contractions: Two words joined together by an apostrophe to make one shorter word.
• Display the slide titled "Apostrophes: Contractions vs. Possessive Nouns" explaining:
  • Contractions shorten two words and use an apostrophe where letters are missing (Ex: do not → don’t).
  • Possessive nouns show ownership using an apostrophe (Ex: dog’s bone).
• Model several examples aloud, showing the original two words, then forming the contraction, emphasizing the apostrophe placement.
• Write “do + not = don’t,” and “is + not = isn’t” on the board, showing how the apostrophe replaces the missing letters.

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2. We Do (5 minutes)

• Say pairs of words, and invite students to help form contractions orally and write on mini whiteboards or paper.
• Examples:
  • can + not → can’t
  • is + not → isn’t
  • does + not → doesn’t
• Correct gently, reinforcing apostrophe placement.
• Ask questions: “Where is the apostrophe? What letters did we take away?”

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3. You Do (5 minutes)

• Provide students with a simple worksheet or notebook prompt with pairs of words to convert to contractions (focusing on "not" contractions).
• Examples:
  • will + not = ?
  • could + not = ?
• Circulate to support students needing extra help.

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Differentiation

• Support: Provide word cards with written pairs and contractions for reference.
• Challenge: Have advanced learners form sentences using contractions from the list created.

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Extension Activity

• Students draw a comic strip demonstrating a conversation using contractions with "not."

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Day 2: Practice & Application

Objective

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.1.B
Demonstrate understanding of contractions by editing and writing sentences.

I can use contractions with "not" correctly in my writing and understand apostrophe usage.

Success Criteria

• I can identify and write contractions with "not."
• I can edit sentences to replace two words with contractions.
• I can explain the difference between contractions and possessive apostrophes.

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Materials

• Sample sentences (written on board or printed) with missing contractions
• Editing checklist (simple, kid-friendly)
• Mini whiteboards or paper
• Sentence strips

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1. I Do (4 minutes)

• Model editing a sentence by replacing two words with their contraction. Example on board:
  • “She is not going to school.” → “She isn’t going to school.”
• Highlight the apostrophe’s position and explain how it replaces missing letters.
• Refer briefly to possessive nouns and apostrophe placement to avoid confusion.

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2. We Do (5 minutes)

• Together, edit 3-4 sentences from a prepared list as a class.
  Examples:
• “He does not like broccoli.”
• “We are not ready.”
• “I will not go outside.”
• Replace pairs with contractions (doesn’t, aren’t, won’t).
• Students explain where the apostrophe goes and why.

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3. You Do (6 minutes)

• Give students 3-5 sentences in notebooks or printed worksheets with the words not contracted.
• Students rewrite the sentences using contractions with "not."
• Invite 2-3 volunteers to share their sentences aloud.
• Circulate to assist and check for apostrophe placement.

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Differentiation

• Support: Sentence strips with missing contractions and word banks.
• Challenge: Write original short paragraphs using contractions with "not" correctly.

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Extension Activity

• Create a short quiz where students distinguish between possessive nouns and contractions by identifying the apostrophe's purpose.

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Slide Description: Apostrophes - Contractions vs Possessive Nouns

• Title: "Apostrophes: Contractions vs. Possessive Nouns"
• Visual: Two columns side-by-side.
  • Left Column: Contractions
    • Definition: “Shorten two words, show missing letters.”
    • Examples:
      • do + not = don’t (apostrophe replaces letters “o”)
      • is + not = isn’t
  • Right Column: Possessive Nouns
    • Definition: “Show ownership or belonging.”
    • Examples:
      • The dog’s bone (bone that belongs to the dog)
      • Mom’s car (car that belongs to Mom)
• Visual cue: Apostrophe in contractions always replaces letters; possessive apostrophes always follow ownership.

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This two-day, three-part lesson plan scaffolds understanding of contractions with “not,” reinforces apostrophe use, and connects to the CCSS standards explicitly while engaging nine third graders with varied learning needs.