Reviewing grammar skills can seem like a tedious process throughout the school year. This year, I decided to change things up by having my students become construction workers to build contractions! This lesson took just a few props to help transform our grammar lesson into a working construction zone. I am sure they will never forget what a contraction is after this hands-on learning experience being a "Contraction Builder!" Download the Free Construction Contraction Printables here!
To set the scene for contraction review, I pushed together a few classroom tables to cover with a Construction Zone Plastic Tablecloth. I knew that the table would get a tad messy during this activity, so I just used props that we would need throughout the lesson has decorations!
For this lesson, I used Construction Hats, Inflatable Neon Hammers, Construction Zone Tool Favor Boxes and Road Construction Bulletin Board Cutouts. The favor boxes held the washi-tape, scissors, glue and printables. Download the Free Construction Contraction Printables here!
To start off the lesson, I paired students in groups of two or three. I intentionally partnered a student with a good understanding with someone who might need extra support. After a quick review of contractions, I explained how each student would be a CONTRACTION BUILDER who would need to cut and "nail" a contraction together. Students grabbed their hat, hammer and favor box to head to work.
As one group went to work, I immediately noticed that they were placing their apostrophes in the wrong spot. This was a great opportunity to teach a mini lesson to this particular group while others continued their building.
With their partner, students cut apart the wood to take away any letter needed. Students then used glue or washi tape to place the wood back together. They then added the apostrophe in the correct spot. But before they were finished, they had to nail the apostrophe into place so the contraction didn't break! This was of course one of the favorite steps.
I always love to see how students work together, so I try not to give too many directions until I see a problem. This group chose to not take turns nailing the apostrophe down, but did it at the same time with Inflatable Neon Hammers. I love how they used their cooperating skills to complete this activity.
Students had a blast being a contraction builder! For a follow up activity during rotations, they had the opportunity to continue the practice using a Construction Rug and Road Construction Bulletin Board Cutouts. Using a Sharpie, I wrote two words on each cutout that could be used to create a contraction.
Students "drove" a truck on the path and created a contraction using the words on a Dry Erase Lap Board. This was a quick and easy way for students to get a little more contraction practice.
By allowing my students to create contractions using engaging, hands-on activities they are bound to never forget what a contraction is.
