Reading/Language Arts
Grade 1
Compound Words
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Dear Parent or Guardian:
Your child is currently learning how to figure out the meaning of
compound words. Here is your chance to help your child practice
this important skill.
In this PAL Packet you will find a short activity for you and your
child to do. Please do the activity and The Back Page this evening.
Then sign your name on The Back Page and have your child return it
tomorrow.
Remember, parents are a child’s first teacher. Thank you for your
time and energy in making learning fun and exciting for your child.
Sincerely,
__________________________
Your child’s teacher
Grade 1 – Compound Words
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/31/04
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COMPOUND WORDS
Parent Pointer —
A compound word is a word that is made up of two words. For example,
the word snowstorm has the words snow and storm in it. Using the two
words in the compound, a reader can figure out the meaning of the
word. This important skill can help your child when he or she comes
across an unknown compound word when reading. Your child can break
the word apart and figure out the meaning on his or her own. This skill
will help your child become a better reader.
Reading in the Home, on the Go, and for the Fun of It —
DIRECTIONS: Have your child turn to the Figure Out the Meaning
activity sheet. Tell your child to read the first word, basketball. Then
have your child write the two words that make up the compound. Ask
your child what each of these words means. Then have your child draw
a picture of the compound word in the box. Repeat this process for
the remaining words on the activity sheet.
Talk about It —
After you have finished the activity, turn to The Back Page to have
your child show what he or she knows.
Now go have some fun with the activity! (
Grade 1 – Compound Words
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
2
Last printed 8/31/04
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Figure Out the Meaning
The two words
in the compound
Draw a picture of
the compound word
basketball
schoolhouse
cupcake
goldfish
toothbrush
Grade 1 – Compound Words
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
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Last printed 8/31/04
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The Back Page
Talk about It
Parent —
Ask your child the following questions:
9What is a compound word?
9Why is it important to be able to figure out the
meanings of compound words?
Write your child’s answers to the above questions on the
reverse side of this page.
OR
Do one of the following activities on the reverse side of
this page:
9Help your child cut a short paragraph out of a magazine
and glue it to the back of this page. Have him or her
circle all of the compound words. Have your child tell
you the meanings of the compound words; write the
words and their meanings under the paragraph.
9Write two lists of words. Have your child write
compound words, using a word from each list. Then,
next to each compound word, have your child tell you
the meaning, and write the meaning of the compound
word.
__________________________ __________________________
Student’s Name
Parent or Guardian’s Signature
Grade 1 – Compound Words
© 2004 Evans Newton Incorporated
4
Last printed 8/31/04