Compound Word Hearts Activity Sheet printable pdf download

1st–2nd Grade

Objectives

• Students will define “compound words.”

• S tudents will identify word parts in compound words

and combine words to form compound words.

Materials Needed

• Heart templates

• Construction Paper (pastel colors like pink and yellow)

• Scissors

• Markers or crayons

• Chart paper (optional)

• Tape

Preparation

Make a copy of the heart templates on construction paper. Cut out six hearts and write one of the following

words on each heart: sail, up, card, stairs, board, and boat. Make more copies of the templates so you have one

copy for each pair of students in your class.

Procedure

1. E xplain to students that a compound word is made up of two words that are joined together. Sometimes the

two words keep their meanings when they are joined together. For example, a backpack is a pack that you

wear on your back. Sometimes the two words mean something different when they are joined together. For

example, a butterfly is an insect—it has nothing to do with butter!

2. W rite the words baseball, mailbox, and cupcake on a sheet of chart paper or the class chalkboard. Invite

student volunteers to circle the two words that make up each compound word.

3. L oop a piece of tape onto the back of each of the six heart cutouts that you prepared for the lesson. Stick the

hearts in random order on the chalkboard or chart paper.

4. I nvite students to choose two hearts that can be combined to make a compound word. (Students should create

the following compound words: sailboat, upstairs, and cardboard.)

Guided Practice

1. T ell students you would like them to practice making their own compound words.

2. P air each student with a partner and give each pair a copy of the heart templates.

3. H ave each partner cut out six hearts. Challenge students to think of three compound words. Have them write

each word part on one heart. (For example, one partner might write rain/bow, sun/shine and apple/sauce on

his six hearts while the other might write pan/cake, fire/fighter and rail/road on hers.)

4. H ave each pair combine their cards and turn them facedown to play a compound word matching game.

Partners will take turns flipping over two cards at a time. If the two words make a compound word, the student

keeps the cards. If not, the student returns the cards (facedown) and play continues. The player with the most

cards at the end of the game wins!

Lakeshore

Compound Word Hearts Activity Sheet