Squish and Snap SlidesFirst Grade Phonics & Grammar Day 1 • Word Power Meet the Word Squishers! What Is a Contraction? Two words crash together, letters fly out, and a magical apostrophe jumps in! do + not don't Get ready to say it loud! ’ Meet the Apostrophe! The tiny flying mark in the sky High in the air! Not a Comma! A comma sits down on the floor like a dot with a tail. apple, banana Sitting low on the line The Apostrophe Flies! The apostrophe floats up high to hold the place of missing letters! can’t Floating high between n and t When letters leave, the apostrophe jumps in to save the day! Watch the Squish! 3 Easy Steps 1 Two Words Start with two separate words. is not 2 Squish & Kick Squish together! Kick out the o! is not 3 Snap In! The apostrophe flies into the empty spot. isn’t Clap your hands together and say: "SQUISH AND SNAP!" The "NOT" Contraction Team The apostrophe kicks out the letter O! do + not kick the o don’t did + not kick the o didn’t can + not kick n & o can’t Choral Read: "Do not becomes don't! Did not becomes didn't! Can not becomes can't!" The "IS" Contraction Team The apostrophe kicks out the letter I! he + is kick the i he’s she + is kick the i she’s it + is kick the i it’s Try it in a sentence: "It is sunny today" → "It’s sunny today!" Contraction Spotting Game! Thumbs Up or Down Show a Thumbs Up if the word has an apostrophe and is a contraction! cats Just plural (s)! can’t Contraction! ✓ he’s Contraction! ✓ jumped Past tense (ed)! Look for the floating apostrophe (’)! Activity Time Squish & Snap You Are Now Contraction Masters! Grab your pencil. We are going to squish words and snap in apostrophes on our worksheets! 1. Squish 2. Kick Letters 3. Snap Apostrophe Remember: The apostrophe floats high in the sky!
Squish and Snap Lesson PlanFirst Grade Phonics & Grammar • Day 1 of 2 Squish and Snap Lesson Plan 45–50 Minutes Objectives 1. Recognize contractions in words and oral sentences. 2. Form contractions with not and is. 3. Place the apostrophe high in the letter space. Standards CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1.E: Form and use contractions correctly. RF.1.3: Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills. Materials • Squish and Snap Slides • Word Squisher Worksheet • Note cards (two per student) • Adhesive bandage stickers / dots 1 Warm-Up & The "Squish & Snap" Hook 8 Minutes Kinesthetic Routine: Have students hold both palms facing each other about 12 inches apart. Call out: "Word One on the left! Word Two on the right!" Say "CAN" (shake left hand), "NOT" (shake right hand). On the count of three, clap palms together: "SQUISH!" Then point one pointer finger high in the air: "SNAP!" and shout together: "CAN'T!" Teacher prompt: "Did you hear that? Two words became one fast shortcut word! In first grade, we call this a contraction." 2 Direct Instruction: Meet the Apostrophe 14 Minutes Slide 1–2 Presentation: Introduce the apostrophe. Draw a giant comma sitting on the base baseline and a giant apostrophe floating in the sky. Key Concept: An apostrophe looks like a comma, but it floats up high like a bird! It is a tiny placeholder that says: "Hey! A letter used to be here, but it got squished out!" Slide 3–4 (The "NOT" Team): Model with index cards on the board: Write do on card 1, not on card 2. Physically cut out the letter o with safety scissors. Pretend it flies away! Place an apostrophe sticker in the gap: don't. Repeat with did + not = didn't and is + not = isn't. 3 Guided Practice: The "IS" Team 10 Minutes Show Slide 5. Ask students: "If we have 'he is', which letter do you think gets squished out?" Guide students to identify that the letter i disappears, leaving he's. Choral practice with thumbs: Say "she is" → whisper "kick the i" → chime "she's!" Continued on Page 2: Hands-On Activity, Worksheet Pacing, and Differentiation → Squish and Snap: Execution & Support Activity Setup • Independent Practice • Differentiation Teacher Facilitation Guide Partner Routine: "Contraction Surgery" (8 Minutes) Give each pair two card strips: DO and NOT. Step A: Fold Students fold the card so the letter 'o' hides behind the fold. Step B: Band-Aid Place a small star sticker or mini bandage over the crease at the top. Step C: Read Loud Partners high-five and read the new contraction together: don't! Independent Practice: Word Squisher Worksheet (10 Minutes) Distribute the 2-page Word Squisher Worksheet. Read the directions for Part A aloud before releasing students: Remind handwriting rule: The apostrophe sits high like a bird, never low on the line like a comma. Circulate & Spot Check: Look for students writing dont (forgetting apostrophe) or writing apostrophe between the wrong letters (e.g., do'nt). Common First Grade Misconceptions Misconception 1: Comma placement. Students draw the apostrophe sitting on the bottom baseline. Have them touch the ceiling line with their pencil eraser first. Misconception 2: Plural 's confusion. Students confuse cats (more than one cat) with it's. Emphasize: a contraction is made of TWO words. Differentiation Strategies Support (Struggling Readers): Use two colored markers (blue for first word, red for second word). Highlight the disappearing letter before writing. Extension (Advanced): Challenge students to create a full sentence using TWO contractions (e.g., "He's fast, but he didn't win."). Day 1 Exit Ticket (Oral or Whiteboard) Call out: "Squish 'did not'!" → Students write didn't on their individual whiteboards and hold it up high. 100% Check First Grade Phonics & Grammar Sequence Lesson 1 of 2 Complete
Word Squisher WorksheetWord Squishers • First Grade Phonics Word Squisher Practice Name: Date: ’ Remember: When two words squish together, the apostrophe (’) floats high up to take the place of the missing letters! Float High! A Squish the Words! Write the contraction on the line. Look at the example do + not don't is + not did + not can + not he + is it + is B Kick Out the Letter! Circle the letter the apostrophe replaces. h a s n o t Contraction: hasn't Which letter left? s h e i s Contraction: she's Which letter left? w a s n o t Contraction: wasn't Which letter left? Turn the page for Part C & D! Page 1 of 2 Sentence Contraction Hunt Read the sentence • Circle the contraction • Write the two words Page 2 of 2 C Circle the contraction in each sentence. Then write the two words it came from. 1 The puppy can't jump over the log. Words: 2 He said he didn't eat the last cookie. Words: 3 Look at the sky, it's starting to rain! Words: 4 My big sister isn't at school today. Words: D Star Writer Challenge! Choose 1 contraction: don't, can't, or it's. Write your own sentence. Circle one: don't can't it's ✓ Capital letter at the start ✓ Apostrophe high in the air ✓ Period at the end Great job squishing words! Grade 1 Phonics & Writing
Word Squisher Answer KeyTeacher Reference & Assessment • Day 1 Word Squisher Answer Key Answer Key Grading Focus: Correct spelling, proper apostrophe placement (top-line floating), and word-pair decomposition. Total Points: 15 A Part A: Squish the Words (5 Points) 1. is + not isn't 2. did + not didn't 3. can + not can't 4. he + is he's 5. it + is it's B Part B: Missing Letters (3 Points) has not → hasn't Missing: Letter 'o' she is → she's Missing: Letter 'i' was not → wasn't Missing: Letter 'o' C Part C: Sentence Contraction Hunt (4 Points) 1. The puppy can't jump over the log. can + not 2. He said he didn't eat the last cookie. did + not 3. Look at the sky, it's starting to rain! it + is 4. My big sister isn't at school today. is + not D Part D: Star Writer Rubric (3 Points) 1 Point: Target Contraction Spells chosen word (don't, can't, or it's) correctly with apostrophe. 1 Point: Conventions Begins with a capital letter and ends with correct end punctuation (. or !). 1 Point: Meaning Sentence expresses a complete, clear thought with grade-level phonics. Sample valid responses: "I don't like bugs." / "She can't find her shoe." / "It's cold outside." Word Squishers Unit • Grade 1 Answer Key Document
Apostrophe Detectives SlidesSpecial Agent Mission • Day 2 Contraction Case Files Apostrophe Detective Headquarters Can You Crack the Case? Today we put on our detective hats to un-squish words, expand contractions, and solve secret sentences! isn’t is not Put on your detective badges! Detective Clue: Expand It! What two words are hiding inside? Reverse Mystery Look closely at the apostrophe! The apostrophe is standing guard for the missing letter. don’t The apostrophe is hiding the "o" in "not"! Unlock the two words! Pull them apart like an accordion: do + not Two full words are back! Detective Motto: "When you see an apostrophe, find the words hiding inside!" The Un-Squish Practice Call & Response can’t can + not wasn’t was + not she’s she + is Pull your hands apart and say: "STRETCH IT OUT!" Two New Secret Contractions! Meet "I'm" and "I'll" A The "AM" Squish I + am Kick the letter a! I’m "I'm ready to read!" B The "WILL" Squish we + will Kick the letters w & i! we’ll "We'll solve this case!" Spot them in books: When you see I'm, read "I am"! Detective Reading Case! Count the Contractions Case #1: Where is Barnaby? "Max can’t find his pet pup. He looked in the yard, but Barnaby isn’t there! 'I’m sure he’s asleep by the rug,' says Mom." 1. can't 2. isn't 3. I'm 4. he's Detective Mystery: Spot the Error! Which sentence is written correctly? A) She cant run very fast. Missing apostrophe! B) She ca,nt run very fast. Comma on the floor! C) She can’t run very fast. ✓ Perfect! The apostrophe belongs high in the air between the n and the t! Mission Ready Case Solved Open Your Detective Case Files! It’s time to solve your worksheet mysteries! Read carefully, expand the words, and write your detective sentences. Spot Clues Un-Squish Write Sentences Good luck, Detectives! You have all the clues!
Apostrophe Detectives Lesson PlanFirst Grade Phonics & Grammar • Day 2 of 2 Apostrophe Detectives Lesson Plan 45–50 Minutes Objectives 1. Expand contractions into their two base words. 2. Locate contractions in continuous decodable text. 3. Compose original sentences using target contractions. Standards L.1.1.E: Use frequently occurring contractions. RF.1.4: Read with sufficient accuracy and fluency to support comprehension. W.1.2: Write informative/explanatory texts. Materials • Apostrophe Detectives Slides • Case File Worksheet (Pages 1 & 2) • Yellow highlighters or crayons • Detective magnifying prop / cutout 1 Hook: The Secret Detective Mission 7 Minutes Teacher Hook Script: "Attention detectives! Yesterday we learned how words squish together and snap with an apostrophe. Today, an evil bandit hid whole words inside tiny contractions! Our detective mission is to pull the contractions apart and find the secret words hiding inside!" Hold up a folded card that says can't. Slowly pull the fold open to reveal can not. Have students gasp and repeat with hands: "UN-SQUISH!" 2 Direct Instruction: Reverse Engineering & New Squishers 13 Minutes Slide 2–3 (The Reverse Clue): Teach students how to spot the apostrophe and know which word family it belongs to: Ends in n't? The second word is always not! (didn't → did not). Ends in 's? The second word is usually is! (he's → he is). Slide 4 (Introducing I'm and We'll): Teach students two high-frequency sight words: I + am = I'm (kicks the 'a') and we + will = we'll (kicks the 'wi'). Have students write I'm on the carpet with their finger. 3 Guided Practice: Decodable Reading Hunt 10 Minutes Project Slide 5 (The Case of the Missing Dog). Read chorally as a class. Whenever students encounter a contraction, have them flash their "detective goggles" (two fingers making circles around their eyes) and chime the two base words! Example: Reader says "Max can't..." → Class stops, makes goggles, and chants: "CAN NOT!" Continued on Page 2: Worksheet Case Files, Writing Workshop, and Assessment → Apostrophe Detectives: Workshop Guide Case File Practice • Sentence Writing • Differentiation Teacher Facilitation Guide Independent Case File Worksheet (12 Minutes) Hand out the 2-page Case File Worksheet. Review the four cases with students before starting: Case 1: Un-Squish Students write the 2 words hiding inside contractions like she's, wasn't, and I'm. Case 2: Detective Match Students draw lines matching contractions to their corresponding word pairs. Case 3: Story Evidence Students highlight contractions inside a decodable detective story on Page 2. Case 4: Write Evidence Students write their own original complete sentences using contractions. Sentence Writing Anchor Chart Prompt Model writing a sentence on the whiteboard before releasing students to Case 4: "I'm a good friend." / "He isn't sleeping." Emphasize the 3-star checklist: 1) Capital letter, 2) High-flying apostrophe, 3) End punctuation. Differentiation & Small Group Support Support (Emergent Readers): Provide a word bank strip on the desk. Have them place physical counters on the apostrophe before reading. Extension (Advanced Writers): Ask students to write a short 3-sentence mini-detective mystery containing at least two different contractions. Unit Wrap-Up • Badge Awarding Conduct a 2-minute "Contraction Salute". Students color their "Detective Badge" on the worksheet to celebrate mastering contractions! Certified! Word Squishers Unit • Grade 1 Sequence Lesson 2 of 2 Complete
Case File WorksheetApostrophe Detective Agency • Case File #102 Contraction Case File Detective: Date: Detective Mission: Two words are hiding inside every contraction! Pull them apart and solve the secret cases below. Top Secret 1 Case 1: The Un-Squish! Write the TWO words that make each contraction. Un-squish them! isn't don't he's I'm wasn't we'll 2 Case 2: Clue Match! Draw a straight line from the contraction to its match. can't she's didn't it's she is it is can not did not Turn page for Case 3 & 4! Page 1 of 2 Detective Reading & Report Read the evidence • Circle the contractions • Write your report Page 2 of 2 3 Case 3: Story Clue Hunt! Read the story. Circle all 4 contractions with your pencil. The Mystery of Dan's Cat First Grade Decodable Tale Detective Dan woke up early. "Oh no! I can't find my pet cat, Pip!" cried Dan. Pip isn't in the red box. "I'm going to check under the bed," said Dan. There was Pip! "He's fast asleep on my big sock!" laughed Dan. Write the 4 contractions you found in the story: 4 Case 4: Official Detective Report! Write 2 sentences using any contraction. Sentence 1: (Use don't, can't, or isn't) Sentence 2: (Use I'm, he's, or it's) Capital letter Floating apostrophe End mark (. or !) Case File Solved! Contraction Detective Agency Official First Grade Phonics Certification
Case File Answer KeyTeacher Reference & Assessment • Day 2 Case File Answer Key Master Key Unit Outcome: Mastery of recognizing, decomposing, and composing first-grade contractions. Total Points: 20 1 Case 1: The Un-Squish (6 Points) isn't is not don't do not he's he is I'm I am wasn't was not we'll we will 2 Case 2: Clue Match Pairs (4 Points) can't → can not she's → she is didn't → did not it's → it is 3 Case 3: Story Evidence Tracker (4 Points) The 4 target contractions identified in The Mystery of Dan's Cat: 1. can't 2. isn't 3. I'm 4. he's 4 Case 4: Detective Writing Assessment (6 Points: 3 pts each) Target Word (1 pt each) Includes required contraction spelled with high-flying apostrophe. Mechanics (1 pt each) Begins with a capital letter and concludes with appropriate punctuation. Syntax & Meaning (1 pt) Has a subject and predicate forming a complete decodable sentence. Exemplar Student Sentences: "I don't have my shoes." / "I'm ready to play at recess." / "He isn't mad at me." Contraction Detective Agency Unit • Grade 1 Assessment Key Sequence Complete
