Grade 1 - Spelling

Grade 1 Compound Words Spelling Worksheet

6 printable versions - Building Confidence - About 8 minutes each

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Compound Words

Grade 1 - Spelling - Building Confidence

Worksheet 1

  1. Join rain and bow. What compound word do they make?

    A row containing 7 empty letter boxes.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. 7 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  2. Which compound word means “a small frosted cake”?

    A row containing 7 empty letter boxes.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. 7 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  3. Split bathtub into its two smaller words.

    7 letter boxes.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. Each box holds one letter.bathtub

  4. Add the second word for “a sport played with a ball.”

    8 letter boxes, 4 of them empty.A row of 8 boxes for the letters of a word. 4 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.foot

  5. Spell one compound word for “a person shape made of snow.”

    A row containing 7 empty letter boxes.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. 7 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  6. Join tooth and brush. What compound word do they make?

    A row containing 10 empty letter boxes.A row of 10 boxes for the letters of a word. 10 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  7. Which compound word means “a sea animal shaped like a star”?

    A row containing 8 empty letter boxes.A row of 8 boxes for the letters of a word. 8 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.

  8. Split playground into its two smaller words.

    10 letter boxes.A row of 10 boxes for the letters of a word. Each box holds one letter.playground

  9. Add the second word for “a box that receives letters.”

    7 letter boxes, 3 of them empty.A row of 7 boxes for the letters of a word. 3 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.mail

  10. Spell one compound word for “a home on a farm.”

    A row containing 9 empty letter boxes.A row of 9 boxes for the letters of a word. 9 boxes are empty and drawn with a dashed edge for the missing letters.
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About this worksheet

Compound words join two complete words to create one new word with a connected meaning. First graders often understand the spoken parts but insert a space, reverse their order, or overlook one part while writing. This worksheet makes both source words visible in some questions and asks children to recover them in others. The ten items rotate among joining, splitting, choosing, completing, and spelling a compound from its definition, so success requires more than memorizing one format. Support practice offers choices and leaves more letters on the page. Standard and challenge practice increasingly require children to hold both parts in order and write the whole compound without a space. Ask your child to say the first small word, pause, say the second, and then blend them as one larger word. The meaning clue should make sense for the combined result; if it does not, recheck the order of the parts.

What your child will learn

  • Join two words into one compound
  • Split a compound into meaningful parts
  • Keep compound parts in the correct order
  • Use meaning to check the combined spelling

Worked example

Sun plus set makes sunset, the time when the sun appears to go down.

Common mistake

Writing the two correct parts in reverse order or leaving an unnecessary space.

Helpful hint

Say each small word, keep their order, then write them together.

Word FamiliesEndings -s, -ed, and -ing

Questions parents ask

What is the most common mistake with compound words?
Writing the two correct parts in reverse order or leaving an unnecessary space.
How can I help my child with compound words?
Say each small word, keep their order, then write them together.
Are these 1st grade spelling worksheets free to print?
Yes. All 6 printable versions on this page are free to download and print, with no account needed.

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