First grade students are learning about compound words.  Today, as an introduction, we read aloud If You Were a Compound Word by Trish Speed Shaskan and viewed a BrainPop Jr. video. We learned a compound word is made up of two or more different words put together to make one word with a new meaning.  In learning about compound words, we will discover how they help us read.  We will practice looking for parts we know by applying the “chunky monkey” reading strategy.  Students will be encouraged to think about each word part and its definition.  They will make inferences using what they know to figure out the meaning of the new word.  Finally, we will use our study of compound words to facilitate continued practice and review of phonological awareness concepts including syllabication, blending, and segmenting.