New
New
Apostrophes: for contraction, singular possession and plural possession 2
I can accurately punctuate sentences including apostrophes for contraction, singular possession or plural possession.
Lesson 1 of 8
New
New
- Year 6
Apostrophes: for contraction, singular possession and plural possession 2
I can accurately punctuate sentences including apostrophes for contraction, singular possession or plural possession.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- An apostrophe is an important piece of punctuation with more than one purpose.
- An apostrophe can contract two words together.
- An apostrophe can show if a noun belongs to another singular noun or to another plural noun.
- Contractions are useful in writing to indicate a character's informal speech or a less formal register.
- Apostrophes for possession are useful to clarify belonging to the reader.
Keywords
Apostrophe for contraction - a punctuation mark used to contract two words together
Apostrophe for possession - a punctuation mark used to show if a noun belongs to another singular or plural noun
Singular - only one
Plural - more than one
Common misconception
Pupils may struggle to place the apostrophe correctly after the 's' for plural possession.
Remind pupils that the apostrophe is placed after the 's' when showing possession for plural nouns that already end in 's'.
When pupils are generating their own ideas for sentences using possession, allow plenty of time for partner talk and model some of your own examples to show that the possession can be placed in different locations in the sentence.
Teacher tip
Equipment
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which of these can end a sentence?
Which of these can end a sentence?
comma
Q2.Which of the following could end this sentence? 'Stop talking...'
Which of the following could end this sentence? 'Stop talking...'
comma
question mark
Q3.Which of the following sentences are correctly punctuated?
Which of the following sentences are correctly punctuated?
Now, push the button,
Now, push the button?
Q4.What is the name for the punctuation used to show direct speech?
What is the name for the punctuation used to show direct speech?
apostrophes
commas
Q5.Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Which sentence is correctly punctuated?
Where on earth would we find the answer to our question.
Where on earth would we find the answer to our question!
Q6.Which sentence has the comma in the correct position?
Which sentence has the comma in the correct position?
Before long we saw the sun peep over the horizon.
Before long we saw the sun, peep over the horizon.
Before long we saw, the sun peep over the horizon.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.An apostrophe can be used to show...
An apostrophe can be used to show...
connection
position
Q2.Which sentence below uses both apostrophes for contraction correctly?
Which sentence below uses both apostrophes for contraction correctly?
She'll be ready when its time to go.
Shell' be ready when it's time to go.
Q3.Which words in this sentence could be contracted using an apostrophe? 'We should have waited, but he had told us to go.'
Which words in this sentence could be contracted using an apostrophe? 'We should have waited, but he had told us to go.'
have waited
told us
Q4.Match each 'possession' idea to the sentence that uses it. Each sentence uses an apostrophe for singular possession.
Match each 'possession' idea to the sentence that uses it. Each sentence uses an apostrophe for singular possession.
Q5.Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for plural possession for the idea 'the opinions belonging to the adults'?
Which sentence correctly uses the apostrophe for plural possession for the idea 'the opinions belonging to the adults'?
We sighed as we listened to the adult's opinions.
We sighed as we listened to the adults opinions.
Q6.Tick the sentences that use an apostrophe for plural possession correctly.
Tick the sentences that use an apostrophe for plural possession correctly.
The childrens' suggestions were quite helpful.
The womens' changing room was flooded.
