---
title: "Compound Words"
description: "Recognise and spell compound words written as one word by identifying the smaller words that form them"
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/compound-words-mt_70Ys4i1AB1
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/compound-words-mt_70Ys4i1AB1.md
retrieved: 2026-10-19
---

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# Compound Words

Recognise and spell compound words written as one word by identifying the smaller words that form them

Subject: English · Area: Phonics & Word Reading · Ages 5 to 8
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/compound-words-mt_70Ys4i1AB1

## Ready when they can

- Identify the two words in a compound (e.g. 'sunshine' = 'sun' + 'shine')
- Spell compound words by combining known words
- Create compound words from given word pairs

## Lesson: Compound Words

A compound word is built from smaller words. Here we read compounds made from two words written together. Look for whole words whose meanings help explain the new word. Two spoken beats do not make a word a compound. Basket has two beats, but it is not built by joining two smaller words.

*(drawing: Sun plus shine makes sunshine, the light from the sun.)*

**Example.** Seashell joins sea and shell. Find both whole words when you split a compound. To join given words, write them in order and keep every letter. Keep sea, not see, even though they sound alike. Check a spelling by splitting it back into its smaller words and checking each letter.

The smaller words help explain a compound. A bookshop is a shop that sells books. Book tells what the shop sells. Sunshine means light from the sun. Sun tells where the light comes from. Think about both parts when you read a new compound.

**Recap.** Find the smaller words in these compounds. Keep their letters and order when you join them.

## Practice

24 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Blending Sounds to Read Words](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/blending-sounds-to-read-words-mt__KHQttMde3)
- [Syllables](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/syllables-mt_UvNrOXny1i)

## Opens up

- [Hyphens for Compound Words and Prefixes](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/hyphens-for-compound-words-and-prefixes-mt_QpmVikVaqY)