A word family is a group of letters that are combined to make a specific sound.
Young readers should learn about word families so that they know how to sound out words when reading.
Usually kindergarten and first grade students learn short vowel word families.
However, even students who are struggling readers such as 1st and 2nd graders can benefit from learning word families.
The concept of word families is so important to improve reading skills in young readers.
Children will learn that words are related, and by changing the beginning sound of a word they can make a new word.
By learning word families, children will be able to read new words they come across since they are familiar with a part of the word already.
For example, if a child can read "hen", then they can read "pen", "ten", "then", and "men".
The child is just learning to change the beginning sound to a word family part they already know to make anew word.
Click here to print out free word family printables.
Click on the link to go to each page for cvc word family worksheets.
An easy way to teach word families is to plan to teach a 1-2 week word family unit.
This gives your child time to really focus on and learn words in that word family.
Focus on the word family for the week, and only do activities related to the word family.
Early finishers can find big words with the word family in them, and break apart the word.
Draw or make a house out of construction paper.
Write the word family at the top of the house.
Have children cut out or write words in the word family.
Then use the words to make a simple sentence.
Use index cards to write the word family in one color.
Then write a beginning sound or initial blend in another color on different index cards and cut in half.
Last, use a hole punch to flip the cards to make new word family words.
Children will slide the letters to make new words in the word family.
Word Family Match
Children can read the word family word and match the picture to the word.
They can also draw a picture of the word.
Check out these word family flip books here.
More fun activities to teach word families:
Word Family Puzzles
Word Family Games
Use these word wheels to practice reading word family words.
Use these fun tiles to improve fine motor skills while practicing learning to read!
Children will snap the tiles together to make new words.
Use these durable flash cards to practice reading word family words.
More flash cards to practice word families.
Use these fun games to have children practice word families in literacy centers.
As you are reading the book, have your child use highlighter tape to highlight the word family.
Word Family Tales
This 23 book series includes books to help reinforce word family learning.
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