2.2.C.iii
The Standard
spelling compound words, contractions, and common abbreviations
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading · The student develops word structure knowledge through phonological awareness, print concepts, phonics, and morphology to communicate, decode, and spell.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students spell familiar compound words, contractions, and common abbreviations. They join base words correctly, place apostrophes where letters are removed, and add periods when an abbreviation requires one.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students correctly spell familiar compound words as one word. They place apostrophes in contractions and use periods in common abbreviations such as “Mr.” and “Jan.”
Common Misconceptions
- Students may split a closed compound word, such as writing “sun set” for “sunset.” They may leave out apostrophes in contractions or add periods incorrectly to abbreviations.
How to Assess It
- Give an exit ticket with “playground,” “can’t,” and “Dr.” Read each word aloud and ask students to write it in a sentence.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs word cards such as “rain” and “coat,” then have students combine them and write each compound word.
Ask students to explain what letters are removed when “do not” becomes “don’t,” then write two more examples.
Play a sorting relay where teams place word cards under compound word, contraction, or abbreviation headings.
Students address a pretend envelope using “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Dr.,” then write a short message containing one contraction.
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