Can't...Won't...What?

Little Cheese is working on contractions now. And to be honest, she does not quite get it. She understands that the word "she'll" stands for "she will" and in fact when she comes across a contraction while reading a book she will say both words.

My answer? Turn to a beloved book. It is amazing how many contractions are found in children's books. We read right over them as if they are nothing at all but they are some major speed bumps in learning to read, for some children.

One of our favorite books by Marc Brown, Arthur's Reading Race, is a great book that is full of contractions. To help Little Cheese figure out these curious words, I will have her go through the book and write down on a separate sheet of paper every contraction that she finds. Then, I will have her write which two words the contraction stands for.

She might not like contractions any more once the assignment is done but you'd better believe that she'll be a little closer to understanding them!