The big ideaA hyphen ties words into one. An apostrophe marks missing letters or an owner.
How it works
A hyphen is a short line that ties words into one big word, like well-known and merry-go-round.
An apostrophe is a tiny hook. It marks the spot where letters are missing, as in don't, and it also shows who owns something, as in Sam's hat.
The hyphen key is the key next to zero, at the end of the number row. The apostrophe key is on the home row, just past the semicolon. Your right pinky reaches for both, and neither needs shift.
To show an owner, type the name, then the hook, then s.
The hyphen key sits next to the zero key, which is blue here, at the end of the number row.The apostrophe key is just past the semicolon key, which is blue here.
Example 1: Tie words with a hyphen
Type the word well.
Reach up with your right pinky for the key next to zero and tap it: that is the hyphen.
Type the word known.
Now well-known is one tied word.
Example 2: Squeeze two words into one
Start with the two words do not.
Squeeze them into one word, and the o hops out.
Put a tiny hook where the o had been.
Now it says don't.
Do not squeezes into don't.
Example 3: Show who owns something
Wren finds a hat with a name tag that says Sam.
Type the name: Sam.
Type the hook, then the letter s.
Now it says Sam's hat, the hat that belongs to Sam.
Example 4: Check what a hook is doing
In it's, the hook marks the missing letter of it is.
In Crumb's basket, the hook and the s show that the basket belongs to Crumb.
The hook always stands for missing letters or for an owner.
Words to know
hyphen
A short line that ties words into one big word.
apostrophe
A tiny hook that marks missing letters or shows who owns something.
owner
The person or pet something belongs to, like Sam in Sam's hat.
squeeze
To join two words into one short word, like do not into don't.
Watch out
A hook marks missing letters or shows an owner. A louder word needs an exclamation mark, and a question needs a question mark.
For an owner, type the hook first and then s: Sam's hat, not Sams hat.
The hyphen and the apostrophe need no shift: reach with the right pinky, then come back home.
A hyphen ties words into one. A gap pulls words apart.
Try it
What does a hyphen do to words?
What is don't the short way to write?
Which key makes the hyphen?
How do you show that the basket belongs to Crumb?
Answers: 1. It ties them into one · 2. do not · 3. The key next to zero · 4. Crumb's basket
Try at homeType a sign for your room or the fridge, with one word tied by a hyphen, like well-known, and one short word with an apostrophe, like don't. Then show a grown-up your sign.
For grown-upsAsk your child to point at a hook in a book and say whether it marks missing letters or an owner; when they type it, check that the right pinky does the stretch, and praise careful keys, not speed.
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