The Measured Mom website provides a comprehensive index of free educational resources, including numerous printables and activities focused on teaching contractions. These materials are designed for parents and teachers, particularly those working with early elementary students. The freebies are accessible through a public index, with additional resources available to email subscribers. The website operates on a freemium model, offering both free printables and a membership service called The Measured Mom Plus, which provides access to a larger library of resources. The free contraction materials cover a variety of activities, such as matching games, concentration games, story-based exercises, and room-based learning activities.
Overview of Free Contraction Resources
The Measured Mom maintains a freebie index that categorizes resources created over twelve years of operation. Access to these files is direct; users click on an item to be directed to the page where the file can be downloaded. The site explicitly notes that while free files are shared freely, a membership offers instant access to over 2,500 files and workshops.
For contraction-specific materials, the site and its affiliated contributors offer several distinct printable packs. These are generally intended for early learners, such as a six-year-old child mentioned in one post, and are suitable for both homeschool and classroom settings. The materials are distributed via email sign-up forms or direct download links within blog posts.
Detailed Breakdown of Available Activities
The available contraction resources found in the source data are primarily centered around interactive games and reading exercises. These activities are designed to solidify understanding of basic contractions through engagement and repetition.
Contraction Concentration and Matching Games
One of the primary freebies is a pack that includes "Contraction Concentration." In this game, cards contain sentences written at a beginning first-grade reading level. Students read the sentences and match them up. The pack also includes a matching game titled "That’s Not my T-Shirt!" which involves matching words to contractions based on a visual theme of clothes shrinking in the wash.
Another resource, found on Teachers Pay Teachers, includes a "Contraction Match" cut-and-paste worksheet and a "Contraction Memory Game" where students match contractions with their two-word pairs. This resource is part of a packet containing five activities and one worksheet designed to teach commonly used contractions.
Story-Based and Creative Writing Activities
The "It’s My Party!" activity is a contraction story included in the free printable pack. This exercise involves reading, cutting and pasting contractions, and reading the story again. It serves as a multi-sensory approach to learning.
Additionally, there are creative writing activities where students imagine a food they dislike and use contraction clues (such as "I am," "do not," "would not") to write the correct contraction in sentences. These activities often include room for illustrations, combining writing with art.
"Write the Room" and Movement-Based Activities
Several sources describe "write the room" activities, which encourage students to move around the classroom or learning space. One specific freebie is a "Contraction Write the Room" activity with a construction theme. This activity involves hiding contraction cards around the room. Students carry a clipboard and recording sheet to find the cards and write down the corresponding two words for each contraction. The resource includes two versions of the recording sheet: one with a word bank and one without for added challenge.
Another movement-based activity is "Contractions Fiddle Strips," a game for literacy centers or small groups. The set includes 28 contraction strips, teacher setup instructions, student directions, a recording sheet, and an answer key. This game allows for partner play or independent work.
A "Quiz-Quiz-Trade" whole-class activity is also mentioned, where students move around the room quizzing each other on contractions. This is accompanied by independent activities like "Contraction Memory" and "Go Fish Contraction Game."
Sorting and Visual Matching Activities
Visual learners benefit from sorting activities. One resource offers a "whole group pockets sort" with heading cards and two-word sets, as well as small group/independent word work. Another visually appealing activity involves "gorgeous cupcakes" that can be printed, cut, and laminated. The top half of the cupcakes is cut off to create a matching game. This set includes 18 cupcakes with different contractions.
There is also a resource that focuses on sorting contractions based on the words they are made from, helping students understand the mechanics of contraction formation.
Access and Subscription Models
Access to The Measured Mom’s free contraction printables generally requires joining the site’s email list. * Email Subscription: Users are prompted to join the free email list to get free printables. Subscribers get instant access to science of reading workshops and over 2,000 printable resources. * Subscriber Library: Existing subscribers can access a library of resources using a password found in their most recent newsletter. * Membership: The site promotes a membership tier called "The Measured Mom Plus." This paid service provides instant access to 2,500+ files, workshops, and more, distinct from the free offerings.
Educational Context and Usage
The resources are designed to address the difficulty students often face with contractions. The activities utilize various teaching methods: * Whole Group: Activities like Quiz-Quiz-Trade. * Small Group/Center: Activities like Contractions Fiddle Strips, Go Fish, and Cupcake Matching. * Independent: Cut-and-paste worksheets, writing exercises, and concentration games.
The materials are explicitly noted as being for personal classroom use only and may not be resold or claimed as one's own.
Conclusion
The Measured Mom offers a robust collection of free contraction printables suitable for early elementary education. The resources range from simple matching and sorting games to interactive room-based activities and creative writing prompts. While the core freebies are available to all visitors, the site encourages email subscription for expanded access and offers a membership for a significantly larger library of educational content. All materials are designed to support parents and teachers in making the learning of contractions engaging and effective.