Apostrophes
An apostrophe stands in for missing letters (don't = do not) or shows that something belongs to someone (the girl's book). It is never used just because a word ends in s.
Example words
- don't
- can't
- I'm
- it's
- we're
- didn't
- dog's
- girl's
- girls'
- children's
When it's taught
From the National Curriculum for England (English Appendix 1):
Y2Contractions
Examples: can't, didn't, hasn't, couldn't, it's, don't
Y2The possessive apostrophe (singular nouns)
Examples: Megan's, Ravi's, girl's, child's, man's
Y3 / 4The possessive apostrophe with plural words
Examples: girls', boys', babies', children's, men's, mice's
Practise this pattern
Dictation sentences
Read each one aloud and ask your child to write it down.
- It's time to find the dog's ball.
- We can't go to the boys' party.
- The children's coats are in the hall.
Quick check
Can they spell these without help?
- wasn't
- cat's
- teachers'
- its
Keep going
- Year 2 spelling words - the statutory list with a free worksheet
- Year 3 and 4 spelling words - the statutory list with a free worksheet
- Printable spelling test sheet - for writing the words on paper
- Practise in Spelling.Live - add these words as a list, take a Skills Check, or play games built from them
Teaching this pattern
A short lesson idea with a starter, an activity, dictation sentences and words to check.DRAFT
Teaching guide