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II.1 Identify compound words and their meanings

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What are compound words?

Compound words are made when two smaller words are joined together to form a new word with its own meaning.

Examples:
  • sun + flower = sunflower
  • rain + bow = rainbow
  • foot + ball = football
Helpful hint

Remember: Each smaller word has meaning on its own, but together they create a new idea.

Why do writers use compound words?

Compound words make writing more descriptive and precise. They help writers create new words to name things in the world more clearly.

Example Sentences:
  • Without compound words: β€œThe rain made a bow of colors in the sky.”
  • With compound words: β€œWe saw a beautiful rainbow in the sky after the rain.”
Helpful hint

Ask yourself: Does this new word combine two smaller words to make my meaning clearer?

Types of compound words

Compound words can be written in three different ways:

Compound Word Forms:
  • Closed compound (no space): notebook, sunflower
  • Hyphenated compound (with a hyphen): mother-in-law, twenty-one
  • Open compound (with a space): ice cream, post office
Helpful hint

Second graders usually focus on closed compounds, but it is good to know the other types exist.

Building compound words

You can make compound words by joining two smaller words. The new word often has a meaning that is related to both original words.

Examples:
  • butter + fly = butterfly
  • basket + ball = basketball
  • tooth + brush = toothbrush
Helpful hint

Try to break apart compound words into their smaller parts to better understand their meaning.

Putting it all together

Compound words are an important part of vocabulary. They help readers and writers expand their word knowledge and describe the world with more detail.

Examples:
  • β€œWe played football at the park after lunch.”
  • β€œI used my toothbrush before going to bed.”
  • β€œA snowman melted in the warm sun.”
Helpful hint

Remember: Compound words are built from smaller words, but together they create a new meaning.