What Are Compound Words? 

Compound words are formed by combining two words into one new word with a different meaning. 

• For example:
• Rain + bow = rainbow
• Butter + fly = butterfly
• Sun + flower = sunflower

Let’s Play a Compound Word Game!

In this compound words game, students will read the words or refer to the pictures on each card and connect them to create compound words. 

This resource can be used as a reading centre activity, with your guided reading group, or as a whole class activity (see below) to practise creating compound words. 

To play, the domino cards are shuffled and divided equally among players. One player lays a domino down the middle of the playing area. Students match either end of the cards to make a compound word.

For example, if a player were to lay down the “man | cup” domino, the next player could then lay the “cake | snow card” next to the cup to form the compound word “cupcake,” or they could lay down “bowl | fire” next to the man to make the compound word “fireman.” Gameplay continues in this manner until someone lays down their last domino, making them the winner.

More Ways to Teach Students About Words that Combine

• Compound Words Human Chain (Scoot Activity)

Provide each student in your class with a domino. Challenge the students to find both of their other halves, creating one long chain of dominoes. Ask the students to complete the task in silence for an extra challenge!

• Bell Ringer Activity

Leave the cards in a pile and instruct students to grab one as soon as they enter the classroom. On a piece of paper, have students write a compound word for each side of the domino—words can start or end with either side of the piece.  

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

This resource is available as an easy-to-use Google Slides or Printable PDF Resource file. To get your copy, click the dropdown arrow on the download button to select your preferred file format. Make your copies, set up your stations, and you’re ready to begin!

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher and Teach Starter Collaborator. 

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