Nib's Apostrophe Seat — Contractions (Grade 2)

About this activity

Nib the apostrophe-spirit shows two words — do and not, it and is, you and are, I and am — and the child picks the contraction that drops the right letters and puts the apostrophe in exactly the right spot, making don't, it's, you're, and I'm. Nib's Apostrophe Seat is a free Grade 2 grammar activity about forming contractions that runs in the browser with no account.

The thing children most often get wrong is where the apostrophe goes, so that is exactly what the choices test: the right answer sits next to a look-alike with the apostrophe in the wrong place. The set also slips in the tricky irregulars — will not becomes won't and can not becomes can't, where more than the obvious letters change — so children learn that an apostrophe marks the missing letters rather than just sitting wherever it looks nice.

It is aligned to Common Core L.2.2.c — using an apostrophe to form contractions. No timer, no score — just calm, playful practice.

What's inside this activity

• Designed for Grade 2 learners (ages about 7–8)
• Common Core strand: Language
• Aligned to Common Core standard L.2.2.c

How to play

Read the two words Nib shows you.

Tap the contraction that drops the right letters with the apostrophe in the right spot.

If it is not right, try again — there is no timer and no score.

What your child practices

• Combine two words into a contraction by dropping letters
• Place the apostrophe exactly where the letters were removed
• Tell the correct spelling from a look-alike with a misplaced apostrophe
• Handle irregular contractions like won't and can't

Learning goals

Form contractions with an apostrophe — the focus of Common Core L.2.2.c.

Understand that the apostrophe stands in for the missing letters.

Read and write everyday contractions like don't, it's, and won't with confidence.