Check out these great upper elementary compound word activities. A detailed word list shows when to close or hyphenate a number of compound words. The foldable organizer works well with advanced or simple words. Games and activities will make learning fun.
Compound Anchor Chart
This simple anchor chart took just a few seconds to create. First, write words that can be turned into compound words on sticky notes. Then place these in a random fashion on a table. Students come to the table and select two words that will form a compound word. Next, the student places the sticky notes on the chart.
Compound Word Activities for Smart Notebook
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This Smart Notebook resource contains 15 pages of activities. Just click on the image to open the Smart Notebook file. |
Free Printable Graphic Organizer
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Instructions Get the organizer here. Print the organizer onto colored paper. Students write two words, one on each side of the organizer, that when put together will form a compound word. In the center of the organizer, students will write the definitions of each compound word in the first row of boxes. In the second row of boxes, they draw illustrations of the compound words. To assemble the foldable organizer, fold the organizer on the dotted lines and cut on the solid lines between the words. See the illustration for the completed organizer. |
Compound Word Activities from Teachers pay Teachers
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This product may be purchased at Teachers Pay Teachers.This teaching set contains cards to make 14 compound word chains. To make the chain each word forms the end of one compound word and the beginning of another. For example: [The pictures in the bottom corner of the cards are used to not only keep sets together but also help if using the cards in a center. Once students complete the activity, they record their answers on the page provided by writing the words next to the matching image.] |
Spelling Rules
Words ending with -up are usually hyphenated.
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Words ending with -down are usually one word.
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Words ending with -in are usually hyphenated.
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Words ending with -out are usually one word.
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Words ending with -on are usually hyphenated.
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Words ending with -off are usually one word.
Exceptions
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Words with a preposition in the middle are usually hyphenated.
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Many compound adjectives are hyphenated.
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Use a hyphen with the prefixes ex-, self-, and all-.
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Online Interactive Activities
Here are some online resources with game-like activities for practice. Just click on the image to go to the activity.
Word Vine |
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