1. Literacy activity: Apostrophes

2. Apostrophes - 1
The final slide contains 10 sentences which demonstrate the two uses of the apostrophe. Students have to identify whether it is being used for ‘possession’ or ‘omission’. Rather than just shouting the answer, I invite your creativity to decide how these should be indentified. For example, for ‘omission’, students could scramble under the desk or hop on one leg and for ‘possession’ make a mooing sound or scratch an armpit. Vary these how you wish!

3. We only use them for two reasons
Apostrophes
We only use them for two reasons

4. We use them for: Omission
The apostrophe is used to show where a letter, or letters are missed out:
isn’t = is not
can’t = cannot
you’re = you are

5. We use them for: possession
When we place ’s after a noun it means that it belongs to. Another way is thinking of it is by using of the.
For example: the chair’s leg
(the leg of the chair).
It is the same with people
John’s elbow
(the elbow of John).

6. Common mistakes We never use apostrophes for plurals.
The chair’s are under the table’s. X
The chairs are under the tables. √
We never use apostrophes in verbs
He see’s the same people every day. X
He sees the same people every day. √

7. Identify if the apostrophe is for possession or omission.
The doctor’s stethoscope is cold.
I couldn’t believe how quickly he ate his burger.
The cricket players’ bats are expensive.
The men’s boots are filthy.
Weren’t they supposed to be here an hour ago?
She should’ve passed instead of shooting!
Messi’s dribbling was amazing.
I was in James’ house.
The women’s coats are hanging up.
They aren’t supposed to go until after lunch.
omission
possession
possession
omission
omission
possession
omission
possession
omission