Grade 4 · English
Semester 1 | Period 2 | Week 9
Download the Lessonotes Mobile Liberia app for faster lesson access on Android and iPhone.
Subject: English
Semester: 1
Period: 2
Week: 9
School Name:
Teacher’s Name:
Subject: English Language
Grade Level: Grade 4
Date: Week 9
Lesson Duration: 45 minutes
Week & Period: Week 9, Period 2
Topic: Contractions – Meaning, Formation, and Usage
Sub-topic: Spelling and Pronunciation of Contractions
Learning Objectives
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Define contractions and state their purpose.
Form contractions using pronouns and verbs correctly.
Spell, read, and pronounce contractions accurately in sentences.
Previous Knowledge
Students have learned verb tenses and simple sentence construction.
Instructional Materials
English Language textbook for Grade 4, flashcards, word cards with pronouns and verbs, chart showing examples of contractions.
Lesson Development – ABC Model
A – Anticipation (Warm-up / Starter)
Time: 5–10 minutes
The teacher writes: “He is my friend” and “He’s my friend.” Students identify the difference. The teacher explains that “He’s” is a shorter form of “He is” called a contraction.
B – Building Knowledge (Main Lesson Body)
Time: 25–30 minutes
This lesson helps learners understand, form, use, and identify contractions in speech and writing through engaging, interactive activities.
👩🏫 Learners’ Activities (Expanded)
Learners are given a set of flashcards with:
Full words (e.g., he is, they have)
Contractions (e.g., he’s, they’ve)
Learners work in pairs to match the full word combinations with their correct contractions.
Once matched, they take turns spelling and saying the contractions aloud.
Sample Matches:
he is → he’s
you will → you’ll
would not → wouldn’t
we are → we’re
Learners fill in a contraction chart by:
Writing the two full words in one column.
Writing the corresponding contraction in another.
Sample Table:
Full Words Contraction
he is he’s
they have they’ve
would not wouldn’t
you will you’ll
it is it’s
Learners are given a short passage or dialogue containing various contractions.
They are asked to:
Underline or highlight all contractions.
Rewrite each contraction in its full form beside or below the passage.
Example Passage:
She’s going to the market. They’ve been there before. It’s not far from here, but we’re taking a taxi.
Learner Task:
She’s → She is
They’ve → They have
It’s → It is
We’re → We are
Learners take turns speaking full sentences using both the full form and the contracted form.
This helps them hear the difference in tone and flow between formal and informal speech.
Example:
Full: He is my brother.
Contracted: He’s my brother.
📘 Notes (Expanded & Detailed)
✍️ What is a Contraction?
A contraction is a shortened form of two words.
An apostrophe (’) is used to replace one or more letters that are removed when combining the words.
Contractions are commonly used in speech and informal writing.
They help us sound natural, friendly, and fluent.
🔤 Examples of Contractions
Full Words Contraction
he is he’s
she had / she would she’d
they have they’ve
it is it’s
we are we’re
you will you’ll
I am I’m
do not don’t
cannot can’t
would not wouldn’t
will not won’t
is not isn’t
🔔 Note: Some contractions are irregular:
will not → won’t (not willn’t)
cannot → can’t (spelling changes)
shall not → shan’t (rare, but worth mentioning)
✅ Assessment Checks (Expanded)
The teacher assesses understanding by using oral questioning, group observation, and written checks.
📣 Oral Questions:
“What is a contraction?”
“What two words make up can’t?”
“How do you form won’t?”
“Say the full form of they’ve.”
“What’s the contraction for we are?”
📝 Written Checks:
Learners are given 5 contractions and asked to write their full forms.
Learners are given 5 full forms and asked to form the contractions.
📝 Assignments (Expanded)
✍️ Classwork
Contraction Chart Activity
Complete a chart with 10 full word combinations and their contractions.
Sentence Practice
Write 5 sentences using contractions.
Then, rewrite those sentences using the full forms.
Example:
Contracted: I’m going home now.
Full: I am going home now.
🏠 Homework
Contraction List
Learners create a personal mini-dictionary of 10 common contractions, writing:
The contraction
The full form
A sentence using the contraction
Example:
Contraction: she’s
Full form: she is
Sentence: She’s coming to my house.
Dialogue Writing
Write a short conversation between two friends using at least 5 contractions.
Example:
“I’m so tired today!”
“Me too. We’re not getting enough sleep.”
🎯 Optional Enrichment Activities
🧩 Contraction Puzzle Game
Learners match puzzle pieces that pair contractions with their full forms.
🎯 Contraction Bingo
Bingo cards have contractions. The teacher calls out the full forms, and learners cover the matching contraction.
🎭 Drama Practice
In pairs, learners act out a short skit or dialogue using contractions naturally in their lines.
C – Consolidation (Conclusion & Assessment)
Time: 5–10 minutes
Summary: Contractions combine words and replace missing letters with an apostrophe.
Evaluation Method (Expanded):
Exit quiz: Write the contractions for—
I am
You have
She is
Teacher will collect slips and provide oral feedback.
Assignment (Expanded): Write 10 sentences using different contractions.
Follow-up Activity: Students create short dialogues using contractions.
Differentiation / Inclusive Strategies: Teacher uses repetition for learners needing more support and encourages peer tutoring.
Teacher’s Reflection (After Class)
What worked well? ___________________________________________
What needs improvement? ____________________________________
Students’ engagement level: ☑ High ☑ Medium ☑ Low