2nd Grade · Core Spelling
Contractions
Common contractions that second graders read in stories and use in dialogue — words that join two words with an apostrophe.
These spelling words are a good fit for students who...
- can read and spell the two words behind common contractions, such as “do not”
- notice which letters disappear when “I am” becomes “I’m”
- are beginning to place an apostrophe where they think letters are missing, even if the spot is sometimes off
Word list
The 12 words to practice in this step
2nd Grade · Core Spelling
- can't
- don't
- didn't
- isn't
- wasn't
- won't
- I'm
- I'll
- we're
- he's
- it's
- that's
12 words
Spelling Skill
Contractions
Learn how this spelling pattern works, see examples, common mistakes, and teaching guidance.
Explore the Contractions skill →Why these words — and what they teach
Contractions join two words and use an apostrophe to mark missing letters. These familiar examples help second graders treat the apostrophe as part of the spelling.
The list includes not contractions, pronoun-and-verb forms such as I’m and we’re, and common forms such as it’s and that’s. Expanding each contraction makes the missing letters visible; won’t is included as a useful exception. The linked Skill page provides the fuller reference.
How to practice this list
Say the two full words, write them, and cross out the letters that disappear. Join what remains with an apostrophe, then mix the contractions for dictation and ask your child to expand each one when checking.
A child may omit the apostrophe, put it in the wrong place, or write willn’t for won’t. Confirm the two source words, show exactly which letters are missing, and let the child place the apostrophe; teach won’t as a remembered exception.
Move on when your child can expand and spell the contractions, place the apostrophe where letters are missing, and recognize that won’t must be remembered separately.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is a contraction?
- A contraction joins two words into a shorter form and uses an apostrophe to show missing letters. For example, do not becomes don't and I am becomes I'm.
- How do contractions help spelling?
- They teach students to account for every letter, including the letters that disappear. The apostrophe is not decoration; it marks the missing part of the original words.
- Why is won't different from other contractions?
- Won't comes from an older form of will not, so it does not look like will plus not. It is useful to teach as a high-frequency exception.
- What mistakes are common with contractions?
- Students often put the apostrophe in the wrong place or leave it out entirely. Expanding the contraction back into two words helps them decide where the apostrophe belongs.