Make Compound Word Art

If your child enjoys drawing, here is a fun way to learn about compound words while creating a picture. Compound words are two words that make up a new word. During first grade your child will learn what a compound word is and also learn to read compound words. This activity is a visual way to show your child how two words can join up to make a new word.

• White or light colored copy or construction paper
• Markers, colored pencils or crayons
• Scissors

1. Fold the paper horizontally and cut the paper on the fold. You now have two long strips of paper.
2. Place the paper horizontally in front of you. Fold each end of the paper inward so that the two ends touch and create two folded sides. You now have two doors that open.
3. Tell your child that a compound word is a word made up by two different words. Talk about how the words mean something different when they are separate words. Explain that when the two words are put together that they make a new word that means something different.
4. Have your child pick a compound word. Sample compound words include: sunflower, earring, seahorse, pancake, toothbrush, eyeball, keyhole, fireman, ponytail, fishbowl, teapot, jellyfish, toolbox, eggshell, jellybean.
5. One the left door of the paper, have your child draw a picture of the first word in the compound word and write the word underneath the picture. For example, if she picked the word seahorse, she will draw a picture of the sea and then write the word "sea" underneath it.
6. On the right door, have your child draw a picture of the second word in the compound word. Using seahorses as an example, she would draw a picture of a horse on the second door.
7. Have your child open both doors and draw a picture of what the compound word means together. For example, she would draw a picture of a seahorse and write the word "seahorse" underneath it.
8. After your child has finished, have her tell you about the compound word. If she is interested, have her pick another word and draw another picture.
9. Hang the pictures on the refrigerator. Throughout the day, point out when you encounter other compound words, and try to think of even more compound words that we use every day!