F U N C T I O N A L S K I L L S E N G L I S H · L E V E L 1
Apostrophes Made Simple
WRITING · LESSON 8 OF 10
Lesson by English
This lesson contains 19 slides, with interactive quizzes and text slides.
F U N C T I O N A L S K I L L S E N G L I S H · L E V E L 1
Apostrophes Made Simple
WRITING · LESSON 8 OF 10
Functional Skills English Level 1 · Writing · Lesson 8 of 10 (about 60 minutes)
Covers: subject content 19 (a range of punctuation used correctly, including possessive apostrophes). Apostrophes for missing letters (contractions) are taught alongside, because learners mix the two up. Statements 22 and 24 run through the advert task.
Before the lesson: print the handout (model post, high street signs, task, planning frame and writing lines), one per learner.
Device-free fallback: every activity works with the printed handout, mini whiteboards and hands up.
Description: Functional Skills English Level 1 Writing, lesson 8 of 10. Learners use apostrophes for possession (the dog's lead, the dogs' kennels) and missing letters (it's, you're), fix sign mistakes on a fictional high street, then write a social media post for a dog-grooming business.
Tags: apostrophes, possessive apostrophe, contractions, its or it's, your or you're, punctuation, proofreading, advert, social media post, animal care, small business, level 1 writing, functional skills english, further education, adult learners Image credit: Александр Гросс / Unsplash
😄 Great – ready to go
🙂 Good
😐 Okay
😕 Not great today
😴 Tired
Wellbeing check: how are you feeling right now?
Phase 0 · Wellbeing check (first 2 mins)
A quick, low-stakes check-in. Only totals show, so nobody is singled out. Say: "There's no right answer. It just helps me plan today."
Act on it: if several learners choose the last two options, ease the pace and build in a pair task early. Check in privately with anyone you are concerned about, and follow your college's wellbeing and safeguarding route.
Editor note: if any emoji have not come through, re-add them in the editor.
Device-free fallback: learners show 1–5 fingers, or write a number on a sticky note face down.
Yes, all the time
Now and then
Once or twice
Never noticed one
I take photos of them!
Have you ever spotted a mistake on a shop sign or a menu?
Phase 1 · Hook (2–5 mins)
No wrong answer. Ask for examples: learners often remember "potato's" or "CD's" on a sign.
Probe: "What does a mistake on a sign make you think about the business?" (Careless? Less professional?) A small business that writes clearly looks more trustworthy, and that's why apostrophes matter at work.
Did you bring one? If learners brought apostrophe examples from Lesson 7's "Before next lesson", collect them now and sort them later.
Device-free fallback: hands up for each option.
What we're doing today
W R I T I N G
Today you will
Why it matters
use 's and s' to show who owns something
use apostrophes for missing letters
get it's / its and you're / your right
Signs, adverts and posts with mistakes look careless. Customers notice.
In the Level 1 writing exam, apostrophes earn punctuation marks.
Phase 2 · Goals (5–7 mins)
Reassure: apostrophes confuse lots of confident adults. Two jobs, a few rules, and two pairs to watch out for. That's all.
The Level 1 writing assessment lasts about an hour, usually two writing tasks set in real-life situations. Possessive apostrophes are named in the punctuation that earns marks, and there is no spellchecker to catch mistakes.
Device-free fallback: read the slide aloud; learners copy the three goals into their book.
Finish this phrase: the dog's … What can belong to a dog?
Phase 2 · Activation (7–10 mins)
Learners add things that belong to a dog: lead, bowl, bed, collar, coat, tail, vet, owner, toys, kennel, name, food.
Then say: "Every one of those is the dog's something. That little mark shows the thing belongs to the dog. That's the first job of an apostrophe."
Write two on the board: the dog's lead (one dog) and the dogs' leads (lots of dogs). Ask what's different. We come back to it in two slides.
Device-free fallback: pairs list as many as they can in 60 seconds; collect on the board. Image credit: Sebastian Coman Travel / Unsplash
Two jobs, that's all
1. Belonging (possession)
the dog's bath = the bath that belongs to the dog
2. Missing letters (contraction)
it's = it is · don't = do not
Never use an apostrophe just to make a plural: two dogs.
Phase 3 · Teaching (10–13 mins)
Say: "An apostrophe does one of two jobs. If it's doing neither, it shouldn't be there."
Possession: the dog's bath = the bath belonging to the dog. Missing letters: it's = it is, don't = do not. The apostrophe sits where the letters were taken out.
Misconception (the big one): an apostrophe does not make a plural. Two dogs, three cakes, CDs need no apostrophe.
Probe: "Find the apostrophe in Biscuit's in the bath. Which job is it doing?" (Missing letter: Biscuit is in the bath.)
Device-free fallback: write the two jobs on the board with one example each. Image credit: benjamin lehman / Unsplash
Who owns it? 3 steps
W R I T I N G
1
Write the owner first. Who does it belong to? dog or dogs?
2
One owner? Add 's. the dog's lead · Grace's salon
3
More than one, ending in s? Add ' after the s. the dogs' kennels · the owners' cars
Phase 3 · Teaching: possession (13–17 mins)
Click to reveal each step. Model with names in the room: "Amir's bag", "Zainab's phone". Then plural: "the learners' coats", "the trainees' break room".
Step 3 tip: if the plural does not end in s, add 's as usual: the children's play area, the women's team, people's pets.
Misconception: names ending in s. James's dog and James' dog are both accepted. Keep it simple: either is fine, be consistent.
Support: "Who owns it? Write the owner first, then decide." Stretch: the puppy's bed vs the puppies' beds (y → ies).
Device-free fallback: write the three steps on the board one at a time.
Missing letters
W R I T I N G
The ' replaces letters
Watch out: its and your
it is → it's · you are → you're
do not → don't · we will → we'll
The apostrophe goes where the letters were.
its = belonging to it: The dog wagged its tail.
your = belonging to you: Bring your dog.
Test: can you say it is or you are? If not, no apostrophe.
Phase 3 · Teaching: missing letters and the tricky pairs (17–20 mins)
Say: "The apostrophe goes where the letters were taken out, not where the words join." do not → don't (the o is missing), not do'nt.
The test: say it in full. "The dog wagged it is tail"? No, so it's its. "You are dog is lovely"? No, so it's your.
Misconception: its looks as if it should have an apostrophe because it shows belonging. It never does, just like his and hers.
Formal writing: contractions are fine in adverts, posts and friendly emails, but use full forms (do not, it is) in a formal letter.
Device-free fallback: learners write the four pairs on a mini whiteboard and test one sentence each.
Social media post · Ashworth Paws Dog Grooming
MODEL TEXT
Ashworth Paws · Dog Grooming · Bridge Street
Your dog's pamper day starts here!
Hi, I'm Grace Mensah, and Ashworth Paws is now open on Bridge Street!
It's a small, friendly salon where your dog's comfort comes first. We offer baths, haircuts and nail trims for dogs of all sizes.
Each dog has its own towel, and every visit starts with a gentle brush. Nervous dogs are welcome. We'll keep things calm and quiet.
Our customers' reviews say it best: "Biscuit has never looked so happy."
Don't miss our opening offer: it's 20% off your first groom, and £5 off when you bring a friend's dog too. Call 01632 960418 to book.
**Missing letters.** I'm = I **am**. It's = It **is**. The apostrophe sits where the letters were.
**One owner: 's.** The comfort belongs to one dog, so it's *your dog's comfort*.
**its: no apostrophe!** *its own towel* = the towel belonging to it. You can't say "it is own towel".
**More than one owner: s'.** Lots of customers wrote reviews, so the apostrophe goes after the s.
**Missing letters again.** Don't = do **not**, it's = it **is**. Friendly words that suit a post, not a formal letter.
Phase 3 · Model text: a social media post (20–24 mins)
Learners follow on the handout. Read it aloud, then ask them to find every apostrophe and decide its job before you open hotspots 1–5.
Answers: missing letters: I'm, It's, We'll, Don't, it's. One owner: dog's (twice), friend's. More than one owner: customers'. And its own towel has no apostrophe on purpose.
Probe: "Why does the post use I'm and Don't, when a formal letter wouldn't?" (It's a friendly post for local customers. Audience and purpose decide.)
Device-free fallback: learners circle every apostrophe on the handout and write P (possession) or M (missing letters) above it.
Spot the mistakes: High Street
W R I T I N G
Fresh coffee's and cake's
Ashworth Pet's Supplies
Mind you're head!
Dog's welcome inside
Children's books upstairs
Plurals never need an apostrophe.
More than one pet, nothing owned.
Test it. "Mind you are head"? No.
Lots of dogs. Nothing belongs to them.
Plural not ending in s? Add 's.
✘ Fix it: Fresh coffees and cakes
✘ Fix it: Ashworth Pet Supplies
✘ Fix it: Mind your head!
✘ Fix it: Dogs welcome inside
✔ Correct! The books belong to the children.
Phase 4 · Practice: spot the mistakes (24–29 mins)
Five signs from Ashworth High Street. Pairs decide if each one is right or wrong, and how to fix it. Then click each marker to reveal the answer.
Answers: 1. coffees and cakes (plurals, no apostrophe). 2. Pet Supplies, with no apostrophe ("pet" describes the supplies; nothing belongs to the pet). Accept Pets' Supplies from a confident learner, but Pet Supplies is the clear, safe fix. 3. your (belonging to you). 4. Dogs (plural). 5. Correct! children is already plural and doesn't end in s, so it takes 's.
Probe: "Which job is the wrong apostrophe trying to do?" Usually none: it's been added to a plural.
Device-free fallback: the signs are on the handout; learners correct them in pen.
Grace is walking one dog. Which sentence is correct?
It's time for the dogs walk.
Its time for the dog's walk.
Its' time for the dogs' walk.
It's time for the dog's walk.
Phase 4 · Check (29–31 mins)
Answer: D. It's = it is (missing letter), and dog's = the walk belongs to one dog.
Why the others are wrong: A misses the apostrophe on dog's. B uses its, but we mean "it is time". C: its' is never correct, and dogs' would mean more than one dog.
Probe: "How would you write it if Grace was walking three dogs?" (It's time for the dogs' walk.)
Device-free fallback: learners hold up A–D cards or fingers.
Drag each phrase: what job is the apostrophe doing?
One owner ('s)
More than one owner (s')
Missing letters
the horse's saddle
the owners' cars
you're late
the puppies' toys
Grace's salon
we'll call you
Phase 4 · Practice: which job? (31–35 mins)
Learners ask two questions of each phrase: "Is something missing?" and "Who owns it, one or more?"
Answers: One owner: the horse's saddle · Grace's salon. More than one owner: the owners' cars · the puppies' toys. Missing letters: you're late (you are) · we'll call you (we will).
Stretch: ask for the singular of the puppies' toys (the puppy's toys).
Device-free fallback: read each phrase aloud; learners show 1, 2 or M on a mini whiteboard.
Complete the sentences about Grace's salon.
Grace says it's her dream job. Every dog has its own towel. Please bring your dog's lead.
Phase 4 · Check: the tricky pairs (35–37 mins)
Answers: it's (it is her dream job) · its (belonging to the dog) · your (belonging to you).
Test aloud: "Every dog has it is own towel"? No. "Please bring you are dog's lead"? No.
Distractors: you're = you are; yours stands on its own (the lead is yours); dogs is a plural. None fits a gap. Remind learners that its' never exists.
Editor note: after pushing, set this fill's text to 28px in the editor.
Device-free fallback: write the sentences on the board with gaps; learners copy and fill them in.
What we offer
Why choose us
How to book
Plan your post: type one idea, then file it under the right heading.
Phase 5 · Plan (37–40 mins)
Show the task on the next slide first, then come back. Learners type ideas and file each under a heading. Aim for at least two in each.
Good ideas include: Offer: puppy's first groom, bath and brush, nail trim, 30 minutes. Why: calm and quiet, owners can stay, each puppy gets its own towel, trained groomers. Book: call or message, weekday afternoons, opening offer.
Challenge: can they plan one idea with 's, one with s' and one with missing letters?
Device-free fallback: learners use the three boxes on the planning frame in the handout.
Your turn: write the post
minute
second
Ashworth Paws is starting a puppy groom service. Write a social media post for local dog owners. Write about 120–150 words.
In your post:
say what the service is and who it's for · give two reasons to choose Ashworth Paws · say how to book and give an offer
Include: one 's, one s' and one missing-letter apostrophe.
Useful phrases
your puppy's first groom
our groomers' training
It's… · You'll…
Don't miss…
Check: no ' on plurals
Phase 5 · Write, exam style (40–54 mins)
Learners work alone, on paper, using their plan. Start the 12-minute timer. Leave the last 2 minutes for checking apostrophes only.
What good looks like: a catchy opening line; what the service is and who it's for; two reasons to choose Ashworth Paws; how to book and the offer; correct 's, s' and missing-letter apostrophes; no apostrophes in plain plurals (puppies, groomers, dogs).
Support: write 80–100 words; use the phrases in the word bank. Stretch: add a short customer quote, like the model.
Device-free fallback: the task is on the handout with a planning frame and writing lines.
Check your writing
W R I T I N G
1. One owner?
2. More than one owner?
3. Plain plurals?
4. its / it's, your / you're?
5. Clear for customers?
Write the owner first.
Plural ending in s.
The most common mistake of all.
Say it in full to test it.
Read it as a dog owner would.
Add 's: your puppy's first groom
Add ' after the s: our groomers' training
No apostrophe: puppies, dogs, towels
it's = it is · you're = you are. If not, use its or your.
What it is, why choose you, how to book and the offer.
Phase 6 · Check your writing (54–57 mins)
Learners swap posts with a partner (or self-check). Partners circle every apostrophe, then click through the markers together and check each one.
Common errors: puppy's for a plural; it's for its; your for you're; an apostrophe in the wrong place (do'nt).
Proofreading habit: for every word ending in s, ask: "Plural, or owner?" For every it's and you're, say it in full.
Device-free fallback: read the five points aloud; learners tick them on the handout checklist.
You can now…
W R I T I N G
use 's and s' to show who something belongs to
use apostrophes for missing letters, and never for plurals
get it's / its and you're / your right every time
Phase 6 · Celebrate progress (57–58 mins)
Click to bring in each tick. Ask: "Which of these feels solid now? Which needs more practice?" Name it as real progress: plenty of adults never get apostrophes sorted, and you've just done it.
Device-free fallback: learners tick the three statements in their book, adding a question mark next to any they are unsure about. Image credit: LessonUp Studio (made for this series)
One owner ('s)
More than one owner (s')
No apostrophe for plurals
its or it's
your or you're
Which apostrophe rule feels hardest for you right now?
Phase 6 · Reflect (58–60 mins)
No right answer. Use the results to plan: the most popular choice is the warm-up next time.
Ask one or two learners: "What will you check first when you proofread your next piece of writing?"
Device-free fallback: learners write their choice and one example on an exit slip.
Take it further
W R I T I N G
Stretch: in class
Before next lesson
Write a short price list for Ashworth Paws, with one sentence about each service.
Use its and it's correctly at least once each.
Find two apostrophe mistakes on real signs, menus or posts (or two correct ones).
Write them down and fix them.
Also listen out for we was or I done. Bring them to Lesson 9.
Take it further
Stretch is for early finishers in class: the price list needs its, it's and at least one plural owner.
Before next lesson needs no device. Learners bring their notes to Lesson 9 (Grammar Check: Agreement and Tense), where we look at "we was" and "I done" and how written Standard English differs from speech.
Device-free fallback: this slide is already paper-based.