✍️ Using Apostrophes

What you’ll learn

1. A Tiny Floating MarkRecognize the apostrophe and know it has two jobs.The apostrophe is a small mark that floats up high and has exactly two jobs: squeezing two words into one, and showing that something belongs to someone. Knowing these two jobs explains every apostrophe.
2. Job One: Squeezing WordsUnderstand contractions: an apostrophe holds the place of missing letters.The apostrophe's first job is squeezing two words into one, like do and not becoming don't. A letter is taken out and the apostrophe stands in the empty spot to hold its place.
3. More Squeezed WordsRead and match common contractions.Squeezed words are called contractions, and we use them often because they are quick. Common ones include isn't, I'm, can't, we're, and you're, each following the same rule with an apostrophe in the gap.
4. Job Two: Showing It BelongsUse an apostrophe with s to show belonging (possession).The apostrophe's second job is showing that something belongs to someone. Adding apostrophe-s to a name, like Sam's bag, is a short way to say the bag belongs to Sam.
5. Telling the Two Jobs ApartTell apart the two jobs of the apostrophe.The apostrophe looks the same for both jobs, but you can tell them apart by the words: squeezed words are contractions (Job One), and words showing belonging use apostrophe-s (Job Two). Practice sorting builds the habit.
6. You've Got It!Apply both apostrophe jobs in short sentences.By asking whether two words are squeezed or something belongs to someone, a young reader can use apostrophes correctly. Both don't (a contraction) and Ben's (belonging) show the two jobs in action.

Questions this course answers

Grounded in trusted sources

• BBC Bitesize KS1 — Apostrophes and contractions (bbc.co.uk/bitesize)
• Oxford Owl for Home — Punctuation for young children (oxfordowl.co.uk)

Every Wunder lesson is built from real, reputable sources — never invented.

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