Compound Words — 1st Grade Lesson
Students will identify compound words and build them by joining two smaller words.
1st Grade · Compound Words · ~15 min lesson
What is a compound word?
A compound word is one word made by joining two smaller words. Each small word keeps its own meaning, and together they make a new meaning.
sun + flower = sunflower rain + bow = rainbow
How to spot them
Look for two real words hidden inside. If you can split it into two words that each make sense, it’s a compound word.
doghouse = dog + house ✓ butterfly = butter + fly ✓
Common compound words
| Word | Part 1 | Part 2 |
|---|---|---|
| cupcake | cup | cake |
| basketball | basket | ball |
| toothbrush | tooth | brush |
| snowman | snow | man |
| mailbox | box | |
| sunflower | sun | flower |
Building compound words
To build one, choose two words and push them together:
cup + cake → cupcake foot + ball → football
Reading tip
When you meet a long word, look for the two smaller words inside. Reading “sunflower” as “sun” + “flower” is much faster than sounding out every letter.
How to practice at home
- Spot the pairs: “What two words are in ‘snowman’?”
- Word bank games: write small words on cards and combine them.
- Compound hunt: find compound words in books and signs.
- Silly combinations: make up funny ones (frog + house = froghouse?).
Practice with the exercises above, then download the free printable compound words worksheet.
Practice Exercises
Try these on your own, then reveal the answer to check.
What two words make 'sunflower'?
💡 Split the word in half.
Is 'rainbow' a compound word?
💡 Rain + bow = rainbow.
Combine 'butter' and 'fly' to make a word.
💡 Butter + fly = butterfly.
What is 'cup' + 'cake'?
💡 A small cake in a cup.
Which is a compound word: 'dog' or 'doghouse'?
💡 Dog + house = doghouse.
Combine 'basket' and 'ball'.
💡 Basket + ball = basketball.
Printable Worksheets
Put this lesson into practice with free, printable worksheets — each with an answer key.
Before You Start
- Reading simple words
- Sight words
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Separating compound words into two words when writing
- Thinking any two short words together make a compound word
What to Learn Next
Browse more Compound Words worksheets or explore all 1st Grade worksheets.
Related Worksheets
Compound Words Worksheet
A compound word is two small words joined to make a new word. Join each pair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a compound word?
A compound word is made by joining two smaller words into one new word. Sun + flower = sunflower, and rain + bow = rainbow.
Why do compound words matter for reading?
Recognizing the two smaller words inside a long word makes it easy to decode. Reading 'sunflower' as 'sun' + 'flower' is much faster than sounding out every letter.
Original & reviewed. Every worksheet is created in-house from a grade-level skill brief, checked for a correct answer key, and reviewed for grade-appropriateness. Our editorial policy.