Split a compound word
Find two complete familiar words inside the target. Read each and join them into the compound.
About 15 minutes, plus any extended practice
Supplied materials
- Paper and pencil, or a browser text area. All named people/events/records are fictional learning inputs.
- Worked case: oo target: pool. r-word: car. Glide target: coin. Compound: sunlight.
- Primary check: oo target: foot. r-word: corn. Glide target: toy. Compound: raincoat.
- An adult may read every direction and answer choice aloud; learners may respond by speaking, pointing or drawing.
Learn the idea
A compound joins two existing words into one word. Recognizing the parts helps with decoding and often meaning, though not every long word is a compound.
Find two complete familiar words inside the target. Read each and join them into the compound.
Example to read or listen to: oo target: pool. r-word: car. Glide target: coin. Compound: sunlight. The answer is sun + light. The relevant input states: oo target: pool. r-word: car. Glide target: coin. Compound: sunlight. This fits sun + light. A compound joins two existing words into one word. Recognizing the parts helps with decoding and often meaning, though not every long word is a compound. A syllable is not automatically a whole word.
- Read or listen to the worked example. Say what the reading or writing task asks you to find. An adult can help with unfamiliar words.
- Find two complete familiar words inside the target. Read each and join them into the compound.
- Check the worked solution: sun + light. The relevant input states: oo target: pool. r-word: car. Glide target: coin. Compound: sunlight. This fits sun + light. A compound joins two existing words into one word. Recognizing the parts helps with decoding and often meaning, though not every long word is a compound. A syllable is not automatically a whole word.
- Try the question and the practice questions. Point to the words that helped you choose before checking the feedback.
See the method in action
oo target: pool. r-word: car. Glide target: coin. Compound: sunlight. Solved: sun + light. The relevant input states: oo target: pool. r-word: car. Glide target: coin. Compound: sunlight. This fits sun + light. A compound joins two existing words into one word. Recognizing the parts helps with decoding and often meaning, though not every long word is a compound. A syllable is not automatically a whole word. Find two complete familiar words inside the target. Read each and join them into the compound.
Check your reasoning
Your answer is temporary and is not saved to an account. Download your current answer before leaving or reloading. Written work on paper or in another app stays in your own file.
Helpful tips
- Both pieces must be words.
- A syllable is not automatically a whole word.
See the answer and explanation
rain + coat
The relevant input states: oo target: foot. r-word: corn. Glide target: toy. Compound: raincoat. This fits rain + coat. A compound joins two existing words into one word. Recognizing the parts helps with decoding and often meaning, though not every long word is a compound. A syllable is not automatically a whole word.
Take it further
Optional extra practice: Decode this original sentence: In moonlight, I put my raincoat in the car and point at a cloud. Identify oo, the compound moon + light, ar, oi and ou. Write a new sentence contrasting food and foot. Practice this lesson’s skill as you complete the task. Use this idea to check your work: A compound joins two existing words into one word. Recognizing the parts helps with decoding and often meaning, though not every long word is a compound.
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More practice: try new cases
Choose an answer for each problem. Explain your method on paper, then use the feedback to decide what to revisit.
Your choices are temporary. Feedback appears after you check all the answers.
Nothing here is saved to an account or sent to a teacher. Keep your own notes or download them before leaving. The score describes these questions; it does not certify subject mastery.
Check the subject sources
- CCSS ELA Reading: Foundational Skills — 2
- IES: Foundational Skills to Support Reading for Understanding, K–3
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