Let your children use a math equation format to select and "add" words that "equal" a Christmas compound word. Examples of Christmas compound words are snowman, snowflake, reindeer, wintertime, fruitcake, peppermint, yuletide, workshop, gingerbread, eggnog and evergreen. Provide a list of the separated words on your white board, flip chart or overhead projector that the children can use in their equations. The children can write and illustrate their selections and the compound words.
The children match a snowman with a "snowlady" to form a compound word. Cut out an equal number of snowmen and snowladies. Write the first word of the compound word on a snowlady and the second word on a snowman. Make a snowman-snowlady pair for each compound word included in your activity and laminate the pairs to ensure durability. Instruct students to write the compound words on lined candy cane paper. When the children master the activity, let them write sentences with the compound words.
Children can learn about compound words from a game before they play. Let them help to make a game that requires them to match Christmas pictures to form compound words. Provide a partial list of Christmas compound words and ask students to brainstorm to contribute others. Write the compound words on a white board. Let the children cut out pictures from old holiday cards and magazines that represent each word in the compound words. Laminate the pictures and store them in a zippered plastic bag. Students can use these laminated "pieces" to match up items to create the compound words.
Worksheets in varied formats permit students to apply their newly acquired knowledge about compound words. For example, children can draw a line between two words that make a Christmas compound word or illustrate the appropriate compound word that completes a sentence with crayons or markers. Add word searches and crossword puzzles with picture cues.
Let your students decorate a small Christmas tree with Christmas compound words. The children can make or bring ornaments that represent gingerbread people, snowmen, snowflakes, peppermints and reindeer. Consider decorating a Christmas tree with other compound words in addition to Christmas-themed words for endless ornament ideas and fun. For example, include items such as butterflies, cupcakes, popcorn, toothbrushes and lipsticks.