Harvey's Elementary Grammar and Composition · Lesson 10 · Part 1: Part I: The elementary course
8. Contractions and the apostrophe
Goal: Your child knows that an apostrophe shows missing letters and can tell which letters a contraction leaves out.
You'll need
- The book, open to this lesson
- Paper and a pencil (or a slate)
What's in the book
The top of page 18 finishes the abbreviation exercises. Lesson 10 introduces the apostrophe with "don't" and gives seven sentences with contractions.
The lesson, step by step
Review
Ask: What does Dr. stand for? Mr.? P.O.? Where does the period go?
The new idea
Write "do not" and "don't" side by side. Read:
In writing or printing don't, a mark (') is used between n and t. It is called an Apostrophe.
SayThe apostrophe sits where the o used to be.
Oral practice
Say a contraction and let your child say the two words: can't, I'm, it's, we'll, they're, she's.
The book's sentences
Ask which letters are left out in each:
We're going home.
I didn't know that you told 'em not to go.
We came from o'er the sea.
Your child can write the full words above each contraction.
Check together
Check with the answers. Notice that 'em and o'er are old or casual forms; the apostrophe still marks the missing letters.
Use it today
Find three contractions in today's reading and say what each one stands for.
Answers to the book's problems
1 We're: a (we are). 2 We'll: wi (we will). 3 didn't: o (did not); 'em: th (them). 4 I'll: wi (I will); I've: ha (I have). 5 o'er: v (over). 6 They're: a (they are). 7 'Bout: a (about).
Worked out for this site from the scan. If a number in your copy differs, trust the book.