Need to make compound words more interesting? With these games and independent activities for Compound Words, word study can be transformed into a fun and engaging time for our students in the Syllables and Affixes stage! This bundle focuses on identifying, defining, and spelling both concrete and abstract compound words.

The download for each sort includes a partner game and an independent game (that can also be modified to play with a partner). The partner games found in Unit 2 include “make a match” board games. The independent activities found in Unit 2 include "Four In A Row" games.

It is my hope that these activities help you increase student engagement and personal teaching joy during word study, spelling, or word work. (Aligned to Word Sorts for Syllables and Affixes Spellers Unit 2: Sort 10-Sort 12)

→ → Save 33% with this bundle for the Compound Words Syllables and Affixes Games and Activities Bundle Unit 2!

Whether you're looking for hands-on, engaging activities students can complete independently, partner games, centers, or ideas to spice up your small group lessons, these activities covering Compound Words have done the creative thinking and planning for you! Versatility and consistency (not an oxymoron!) are built right in for you with all of the activities in the Unit 2 bundle having the same format, you won’t have to teach students how to play with each new word sort!

While these games and activities are aligned to Words Their Way, they can be used to complement any word study program or focus with your students. See the preview for detailed lists of the included words!

Sort Sets Included in the Unit 2 Bundle:

10: Compound Words

11: More Compound Words

12: Abstract Compound Words

★ Partner Games ★

In the sort and match board games (sorts 10-12), students take turns drawing a card that displays a word and trying to match it with another word on the game board, to create a compound word. With themes like spaghetti and meatballs, bread and butter, and socks and shoes, your students are sure to have a fun time learning about compound words!

✔ Teacher Directions

✔ Sorting Game Board

✔ Word Cards

✔ Student-Friendly Directions

✔ Recording Sheet

✔ Answer Key

Each partner game involves friendly competition and a recording sheet that makes it easy to check that students understood the word study concepts being studied and to hold them accountable for staying on task.

★ Independent Activities ★

In Four In A Row (sorts 10-12), students spin a spinner and find a word on the game board that can be paired with the word spun to create a compound word. They must correctly pair the words together, by building it with letter tiles (optional) and record it on their recording sheet. Their goal is to complete and cover four words in a row (vertically, horizontally, or diagonally).

✔ Teacher Directions

✔ 4 Word Boards

✔ 2 Spinners with Student Friendly Directions Versions

✔ Letter Tiles for Building Words

✔ Recording Sheet

✔ Answer Key

* Everything comes in black and white and color versions!

Who are these games and activities for?

> > > These resources were developed with 3rd - 5th graders in mind, but could successfully be used in lower grades within small group lessons and with teacher guidance.

> > > These games and activities are designed for students at any point in the Syllables and Affixes stage. Students should have no trouble spelling the words that make up the compound words in this unit, and therefore the focus instead should be on learning to use the two words to help them define the compound words.

These activities provide a great way to add meaningful variety to your word study routine, keeping it fresh and interesting for students. With these activities, your word study block will be a time that students look forward to as they work to master these key spelling and word study concepts!