Contraction match-up: a 15-minute 2nd grade grammar game
What it is: a 2nd grade grammar game where students match two-word cards (do not, I am, can not) to their contraction cards (don't, I'm, can't) and explain which letters the apostrophe replaces.
Time: about 15 minutes. Grade: 2nd grade.
Materials: a set of two-word cards and matching contraction cards per pair (is not, do not, can not, I am, it is, we are, you will, they have), and a pocket chart.
- Write "do not" and "don't". Ask: "What letter disappeared? What took its place?"
- Explain the apostrophe: it shows where letters were taken out.
- Pairs lay all cards face down and play memory, turning over two at a time to find a match.
- When they find a match, they say both forms and which letters are missing.
- Finish by reading a short paragraph full of contractions and changing two of them back to two words.
Differentiation: students who need support match 4 pairs face up. Students who are ready write a sentence with each contraction. English learners can practice both forms aloud in a sentence frame: "I ___ like rain."
Quick check: show "they'll" and ask a student which two words it comes from.
Need it for another grade or subject? Ask us on the request page and our team will write it.
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About this resource
- Shared by
- @UpOnlyLearning · Curriculum team
- Posted
- Oct 30, 2026
- Type
- Lesson plan
- Grade
- Grades K–2
- Subject
- Reading, Writing
- Language
- English
- License
- Free for classroom, co-op and tutoring use. Please don't resell.