Compound Word Hunt
By Caroline Wyman
Objective: The children will be able to hunt for colored eggs and be able to identify two words that make up a compound word. Grades 1-3
Initiation: Remind the class that a compound word is a word made up of two words put together to make a compound word. Have the class call out compound words while you quickly jot them down on the black board.
Development: Prior to starting your compound word hunt, you will have to print out compound words, one for each student or more if you are very ambitious. Make a space between each word so that when you print them out you can easily cut the word in half. Before taping the word on the outside of the colored egg, you can fill the egg with a little treat. Stickers, jellybeans, pennies...(don't use chocolate, it will melt.) If you have a classroom of 20 students then you will need 40 eggs. While the children are out for recess or at a special, hide the eggs in your room. Explain to the students outside your classroom that they are going on a compound word hunt. Let them know that there are enough eggs for one per student and that they are not to open their egg until they have found two eggs that makeup a real compound word.
Closure: After everyone has found their compound word, have them share their word with the class. You may want to have some sort of Spring or Easter worksheet on their desk for those who find their word quickly.
Materials: Compound words, tape, colored eggs, treats for inside the egg, worksheet.
Time: 25-30 min.
Caroline Wyman has a degree in Sociology and a Masters in Elementary Education and is the administrator for TeacherNet.com.