Reversible Compound WordsMatching and Cloze Sentences
Doghouse
House Dog
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Compound Word Pair: doghouse / house dog
doghouse
house dog
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a small shelter for a dog
a dog that lives inside a house as a pet
doghouse
doghouse
house dog
house dog
Complete the sentences:
1. The _____ barked at the squirrel outside.
2. Our _____ sleeps on the couch every night.
3. We built a new _____ in the backyard.
Compound Word Pair: bookcase / casebook
bookcase
casebook
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a piece of furniture for storing books
a record of cases (often legal or medical)
bookcase
casebook
bookcase
casebook
1. The lawyer reviewed her _____ before court.
2. The old _____ was filled with dusty novels.
3. Medical students often study from a _____.
Compound Word Pair: cupcake / cake cup
cupcake
cake cup
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a small cake baked in a cup-shaped container
a cup-shaped container for holding cake batter
cupcake
cake cup
cupcake
cake cup
1. She baked chocolate frosting on each _____.
2. Pour the batter into a _____ before baking.
3. We shared a _____ at the party.
Compound Word Pair: mailbox / box mail
mailbox
box mail
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a box for receiving or sending mail
to package and send mail in a box
mailbox
box mail
1. The letter was waiting in the _____.
2. We need to _____ the fragile dishes carefully.
3. A package was delivered to our _____.
Compound Word Pair: notebook / book note
notebook
book note
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a small book for writing notes
a note or annotation written in a book
notebook
book note
notebook
book note
1. She wrote her ideas in a _____.
2. The teacher left a _____ in the margin of the text.
3. I bought a new _____ for class.
Compound Word Pair: schoolhouse / house school
schoolhouse
house school
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a building used as a school
to educate children at home
schoolhouse
house school
schoolhouse
house school
1. The old _____ was turned into a museum.
2. Many parents choose to _____ their children.
3. The red brick _____ stood on the hill.
Compound Word Pair: firefly / fly fire
firefly
fly fire
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a glowing insect seen at night
a spark or ember carried by the wind
firefly
fly fire
firefly
fly fire
1. A _____ lit up in the dark meadow.
2. The wind carried a dangerous _____ toward the barn.
3. Children chased the _____ with jars.
Compound Word Pair: snowman / man snow
snowman
man snow
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a figure made of snow shaped like a person
a man caught in a snowstorm
snowman
man snow
snowman
man snow
1. The children built a tall _____ in the yard.
2. The hiker was a _____ until rescued.
3. We put a carrot nose on our _____.
Compound Word Pair: racecar / car race
racecar
car race
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a fast car built for racing
a competition between cars
racecar
car race
racecar
car race
1. The driver won the championship in his _____.
2. Thousands of fans attended the _____.
3. Engineers designed a faster _____.
Compound Word Pair: workhouse / housework
workhouse
housework
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a place where poor people once worked for shelter
tasks done to maintain a household
workhouse
housework
workhouse
housework
1. Dickens wrote about life in the _____.
2. She spent the afternoon doing _____.
3. The poor sought shelter in the _____.
Compound Word Pair: warehouse / houseware
warehouse
houseware
Drag the correct word to each definition:
a large building for storing goods
items used in the home (utensils, dishes, etc.)
warehouse
houseware
warehouse
houseware
1. The company stored furniture in a _____.
2. The store sells _____ for the kitchen.
3. A shipment arrived at the _____.
For Teachers
đź’ˇ Teacher Tip
Use this activity as a vocabulary station during literacy rotations. Pair students up and have them discuss the meaning of each compound word before dragging the definitions. Then challenge them to write their own reversible pairs—this builds ownership and deepens understanding of word structure.
What Teachers Are Saying
"My students were hooked! The draggable format made it feel like a game, but they were doing serious vocabulary work. Seeing how word order changes meaning was a lightbulb moment for several kids."
— Mrs. J., 4th Grade Teacher, Georgia
From the Blog
Visit Compound Words for Big Kids for inspiration - from anchor charts and cloze sentence printables to engaging word games and foldable organizers.
A growing bundle of skill-based vocabulary activities featuring Greek and Latin roots, affixes, and monthly themes. Includes printable practice, digital games, video lessons, and Google Slides—perfect for centers, morning work, and independent practice.
