Compound Words

The objective of this lesson is to help students understand the formation of compound words. It also promotes critical thinking skills as students brainstorm compound words that they use everyday. 

To begin, read a grade level book with the class and choose a couple key words from the story that can combine to form compound words. In this particular lesson, the book used is "Once There was a Bullfrog" by Rick Walton. 
After you read the book, put a list of a few words on the board from the story and brainstorm some words to add that made compound words.

sun

snow

water

dog

sand

lunch

Now it is time for students to come up with some compound words of their own. Give each student a piece of construction paper and have them tri-fold it so that the flaps meet in the middle. Cut the flaps into 5-6 strips.

Have the children draw and write the two words on each outside flap.

Example:  cup on one flap, cake on the other.

Then they open the two flaps (think of barn doors) and on the inside they write the compound word and draw a picture of a cupcake.

Then the projects can be displayed on a bulletin board or tape them up somewhere so the kids can go over

and read the two words then open the flaps and see the compound word.

This is an enjoyable lesson on compound words because it addresses visual and kinesthetic learning strategies. It is also an excellent lesson plan for ESE, particularly ELL students who are having trouble with word combinations. It will help their brain generate the word patterns being formed and help create meaning to the words. 

This lesson plan can be found at http://teachers.net/lessons/posts/4321.html

(pictures taken by Maria Santos)