Learning about vocabulary is no longer confined to dittos and boring worksheets. From online gamified lessons to interactive sensory activities, learning about literacy is more engaging than ever. We have curated a list of twenty fantastic activities to learn all about compound words.
From literacy centers to individualized assignments, the list below has something for every student and teacher. Introduce compound words with a classroom sing-along or a collaborative class anchor chart.
Compound Word Online Games
1. Guess the Word
Students have several seconds to guess the compound word. Each round the students see 2 or more pictures. Children combine the picture words to create their compound words.
Learn More: Games 4 ESL
2. Nearpod
This online learning platform has multiple lessons and gamified practice opportunities for students. Teachers can filter by subject and grade. Lessons can be student-paced, where students work through the lesson on their own, or teacher-taught with students interacting with the lesson in real time. This is a great option for virtual learning days.
Learn More: Nearpod
3. Wordville.com
If you are looking for multiple levels of compound word online games, Wordville should be your go-to. It offers an online matching game where students pick different cards. If the cards do not create a compound word, the student is prompted to pick again.
Learn More: Wordville
4. Quia
Quia presents another version of the compound matching game. In this online game, memory meets matching. Students have to keep track of where the words are to create the correct compound words.
Learn More: Quia
5. EZSchool
EZ School offers three games. One is a traditional matching game. Another has students choose an elephant who is carrying a word that fills in the blank for the word given. The final option asks students to help the elephants cross the river by choosing the correct words to answer the clue.
Learn More: EZ School
Compound Word Literacy Stations
6. Blooming Compound Words
This is a ready-to-go lesson for your literacy center. Students will work on their compound word skills along with fine motor skills. Students match flower petals to the flower center to form several compound words. They get additional practice writing out the word on their answer sheet.
Learn More: Stgiles School
7. Find the Compound Word
Another great literacy center activity where students get to search for the compound words in bins filled with rice or beans. Add a sensory component and make learning about compound words enjoyable. Students match the compound word pictures they find on their printable chart upon which the compound words are written.
Learn More: Happy Teacher Mama
8. Compound Word Puzzles
Create your own compound word puzzles. This is a great activity for 1st and 2nd-grade students who can work on literacy, motor, and critical thinking skills. This is a fun hands-on option for literacy stations.
Learn More: The Curriculum Corner
9. Monster-Themed Compound Word Spinners
Looking for interactive activities for your compound word literacy center? Check out these crafty monster spinners. The spinners demonstrate how words can be joined together to form compound words.
Learn More: A Plus Teacher Club
10. Picture Addition
Using picture word cards and math symbols, students create compound words. You can do these as printable worksheets or create your own manipulatives.
Learn More: The Candy Class
Compound Word Activities
11. Compound Word Clip Cards
Work on motor skills and word skills with this hands-on activity. It is perfect for Pre-K – 1st grade. Use laminated compound word picture cards and clothes pins to create this one. The top has two pictures that create one compound word. Students mark the correct picture of a compound word out several on the bottom of the card.
Learn More: Homeschool Rebecca Reid
12. Compound Word Flip Book
There are multiple printables available online to create compound word flip books. You can have students work on fine motor skills also by cutting on the lines. When the foldable is finished students look at the pictures to decipher the compound word. They open the flip book to check their answers.
Learn More: Teacher’s Clipart
13. Compound Word Pocket Books
Check out Scholastic’s online pocketbook offerings. You can print individual students’ pocketbooks to take home and practice. Many are formatted so that students can color them as well.
Learn More: Scholastic Teachables
14. Vocabulary A-Z
This website offers many vocabulary study topics, including both printable and digital options. Among the printable options, you can choose from a simple matching activity to compound word quizzes.
Learn More: Vocabulary A-Z
15. Compound Words Toothy
Students view premade compound word equations on cards. They write their answer on the toothy board. If their answer is correct, they get to add another tooth to the face. This activity can be done as a group or individual activity as students can check themselves from the back of the word cards.
Learn More: Lucky Little Learners
Compound Word Games for the Classroom
16. Guided Readings
Get Epic is a favorite for all types of online book access. You can choose ones specifically to target compound words. Students can read along with you, do a choral reading, or read independently.
Learn More: Get Epic
17. Compound Word Poster
Jazz up your normal poster by adding a compound word of the day. You can find printable versions of compound word posters or buy them from online teacher supply vendors.
Learn More: Teach With Me
18. Compound Word Songs
Put compound words to music and have the students sing along. You can also find ready-made songs to sing with your class on YouTube.
Learn More: Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel
19. Compound Word Pocket Chart
Create or purchase compound word wall cards. Use a pocket chart to create words with the cards. This is a great classroom activity to begin talking to students about compound words. You can also turn these into interactive literacy activities by putting them at the student level as a station.
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20. Anchor Charts
Create a compound word anchor chart that defines the concept and has a few examples. Have students think of their favorite compound word and add it to the chart. This activity not only creates a visual reference for students during independent work but also provides them with a sense of ownership over the learning process.
Learn More: Pinterest
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