Activities to Teach Students to Use Contractions With “Not”
![](https://dev.theedadvocate.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/teacher-greenboard-1-660x400.jpg)
Contractions are a common aspect of the English language, and students must learn how to use them effectively. When teaching students about contractions, it is essential to focus on contractions with “not” as they are often used in everyday communication.
By using activities to teach students how to use contractions with “not,” teachers can help students learn these contractions naturally and easily. This article outlines some activities that teachers can use to teach students about contractions with “not.”
1. Contractions Memory Game
Memory games are an engaging way to teach students about contractions. In this activity, create cards with contractions that include “not” on one side and the expanded form on the other side. Shuffle the cards and place them facedown on a flat surface.
Students take turns flipping over two cards at a time, attempting to match the contracted form with the expanded form of the contraction with “not.” Then, students must use the contraction in a sentence by saying something they would not do. For example, “I wouldn’t eat spiders for lunch!”
2. Contractions Relay Race
Create a relay race in which students have to run to a board or wall to write a contraction with “not.” Divide students into teams for a relay race. Each student runs to the board or wall to write a contraction with an additional word from the teacher.
Teacher says a sentence like “I will not be staying,” and the students then race to the board to write the contraction “won’t” correctly. The team that accurately writes the most contractions within the given time limit wins.
3. Monster Game
The monster game is a fun and engaging extra-curricular activity to teach contractions with “not.” To play the game, create a story or picture of a monster who eats things he shouldn’t. Use this character to illustrate common phrases that can use “not” to make contractions.
For example, “the monster will not eat an apple” to teach the contraction “won’t.” Then, students have to repeat the phrase with the contraction.
4. Contractions Frogs Jump
Another creative and engaging activity to teach contractions with “not” is Contractions Frogs Jump. To play the game, draw two frog’s eyes on the board or use a set of toy frogs for students to practice constructing contractions.
Each student rearranges the different frog puzzle pieces to form contractions. Then, students have to use contractions with “not” inside the sentences given by the teacher. This activity helps students understand how switching “not” into the contracted form can change how the sentence is said.
Overall, teaching students how to use contractions is critical in their English language development. By using various activities for teaching contractions with “not,” students can learn to use contractions naturally and effortlessly. These activities make learning contractions fun, engaging, and memorable.