Year 6 · SPaG · Spring: Apostrophes and speech
Year 6 apostrophes for missing letters worksheet and PowerPoint
To use an apostrophe in a contraction to show where letters have been left out.
Apostrophes for missing letters
When two words are joined into one short word, some letters are left out. An apostrophe goes where the letters are missing. This is called a contraction.
| do not | don’t (the o of not is missing) |
|---|---|
| they are | they’re (the a of are is missing) |
| I have | I’ve (the ha of have is missing) |
| will not | won’t (an irregular one: learn it) |
Examples
- I can’t find my coat and it isn’t in the hall.
- They’re late because they didn’t hear the bell.
Key words
- apostrophe
- a mark ’ that shows missing letters or belonging
- contraction
- two words joined into one with letters missing
- missing letters
- the letters left out of a contraction
- short form
- another name for a contraction
What is on the worksheet
Every sheet for this lesson has a short teaching box and 12 questions that get gradually harder: 8 fluency questions, then 4 reasoning questions that ask pupils to explain or choose. A writing challenge follows. The questions use the same styles as the key stage 2 grammar and punctuation test (circle, underline, tick, fill the gap, add punctuation, rewrite, explain). They are written for this website, not copied from past papers.
All the answers are on the last page of the same editable Word file. New questions are made every time, so you can print a different sheet for every group or for homework. The same sheet code always gives the same sheet.
Writing challenge: Write a conversation between two friends planning a picnic. Use at least eight contractions and underline each one.
Pupil target: I can use an apostrophe for missing letters.
The PowerPoint
A 20-slide lesson deck for the same lesson: a starter that revisits earlier learning, key words, an I do and a You do question on each slide with a countdown timer, answers that appear one click at a time, and a challenge. Download the apostrophes for missing letters PowerPoint.
Where this lesson fits
This is lesson 37 of 72 in the Year 6 SPaG scheme, in the Spring term, block “Apostrophes and speech”. It is taught before the SATs grammar test in May.
Other lessons in this block
- Apostrophes for possession
- Apostrophes: putting it all together
- Punctuating direct speech
- Direct and reported speech
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