Compound Words
Recognise and spell compound words by identifying the two component words that combine to form a single word
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Teaching Table · Reviewed guide
Set out your lesson
“A compound word is two smaller words joined to make one word. Sunshine is sun + shine. We spot the parts and put parts together.”
Bring to the table
- Ready cards: sun, shine, sunshine, foot, ball, football, rain, bow, rainbow
- Paper and marker
Full guide and materials
- Ready cards: sun, shine, sunshine, foot, ball, football, rain, bow, rainbow
- Paper and marker
- Step 1. Show sunshine and find sun and shine.
- Step 2. Repeat with football → foot + ball and rainbow → rain + bow.
- Step 3. Give rain and bow as separate cards and have your child build rainbow.
- Step 4. Ask your child to explain one compound as “___ plus ___ makes ___.”
- Quick check. Success means your child splits one compound into two parts and builds one compound from two given words.
Worked example. sunshine = sun + shine. football = foot + ball. rainbow = rain + bow.
Optional challenge. From star and fish, build starfish and say both parts before writing the compound.
What to notice. Save a parent note such as “sunshine = sun + shine; built rainbow.”
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Teaching approaches
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1 approach
A compound word is two smaller words joined to make one word. Sunshine is sun + shine. We spot the parts and put parts together.
Spend about 10–15 minutes breaking and building compound words with ready cards.
Family records and proof options
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Save photos, notes, and attendance. Export a proof packet for compliance or portfolio reviews.
Learning resources
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Check understanding
- Identify the two words in a compound (e.g. 'sunshine' = 'sun' + 'shine')
- Spell compound words by combining known words
- Create compound words from given word pairs
“Can your child look at a word like 'sunshine' or 'football' and spot the two smaller words hiding inside it?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Conceptual
- Subject
- English
- Domain
- Phonics & Word Reading
- Age range
- Ages 5–8
Standards