Each day during literacy stations, students practice a wide variety of reading, spelling, phonics and vocabulary skills. This week, students learned what a compound word was. They learned that a compound word is made up of two different words put together to make one word with a new or combined meaning. We discussed how the different parts of the compound word compliment each other to make an even better word to represent an idea! For example, tooth and brush combine to make toothbrush – a word perfectly suited to describe it’s use!
During our whole-group literacy time, we practiced combining two word into one compound word using hand motions. Students would repeat after Ms. Ursino to show a different word on each hand and then clap the word together to create the compound word!
To practice this skill, students worked with peers to read and match up different words to create other compound words. After matching up the cards, they wrote the completed words on a dry erase board. During this one activity, the students practiced phonics, blending, vocabulary, critical thinking, handwriting, and teamwork! After learning about what a compound word was, first graders also generated some of their own compound words and created a Compound Word Cupcake. (Cupcake is a compound word itself!)
Soon, students will discover how compound words help us read. They will practice looking for parts they know to make it easier to decode longer words. Students will be encouraged to think about each word part and its definition. This will not only help build their decoding skills but also their comprehension!
