Word Family Chart
Each family has the same ending. Change the first sound to make a new word!
Need more than one? Tap + for extra copies (up to 10).
How to do it
- Read the family at the top.
- Read every word on the card.
- Find the part that stays the same.
Teaching tip
Cover the first letter with a finger and read just the family part, then add the letter back. This sheet is aligned with Common Core RF.1.3b.
About this chart
Twelve short-vowel word families with eight real words each, on one page.
What kids practice
A word family is a group of words that share the same ending chunk, like cat, hat and sat (the -at family). Once kids can read one word in a family, they can read the rest by changing the first sound. Short-vowel families (-at, -ig, -op, -ug, -en and more) are the first big step from sounding out letter by letter to reading chunks. Word families are a core part of first grade phonics.
Watch for
- Guessing from the first letter (seeing c and saying cup for cat). Ask them to look at the whole word.
- Mixing up short e and short i, like reading pen as pin.
- Reading the chunk but forgetting the first sound. Have them slide a finger under the whole word.
It's free to print, as many copies as you need. See the full short-vowel word families phonics guide for 1st grade.
More sheets in this set
2. Read It, Circle ItEight short-vowel words, each with three pictures that look alike or sound alike.
3. Word Family SortTwelve words to sort into three word families.
4. Real or Silly?Twelve words from short-vowel families. Some are real and some are silly.
5. Read the FamilyThree word family houses with six words each, the family chunk shown in blue.
6. Read and DrawFour silly decodable sentences like "A pig in a wig" to read and draw.
7. Color by Word FamilyA hidden picture made of words from the -ack, -ing, -ill, -ank, -ump and -est families. Includes an answer key.