These are the printable activities from our NEWLY UPDATED Reading the Alphabet Word Family Lessons {COMING MID-JULY}! I am so excited to give you a preview of Lesson 7, the -at family. The other five word family lessons from Reading the Alphabet share the same activities, so you can transfer the ideas to the other families.
The word family lessons from Reading the Alphabet are found in Lesson 7, Lesson 14, Lesson 20, Lesson 26, and Lesson 31. All the other lessons are Reading the Alphabet Letter Lessons.
Reading the Alphabet Word Family Lessons Demonstrated
I can’t believe it’s been exactly FIVE YEARS since the first edition of Reading the Alphabet bundle pack! It’s been even longer since we released the free version of Reading the Alphabet.
After teaching three of my own kids using it, I’ve updated the clip art and added some no prep activities. All the same hands-on activities are still there…with even more added now!
Everything you see in color is also included in blackline, too. There’s a lot here, so keep scrolling!
For all the supplies I recommend visit HERE.
Please note: You DO NOT have to use every single activity.
Ideas for substituting are included in the 5-day lesson outlines for each word family. If you teach learners who need extra work, there are enough activities to stretch the lesson longer than 5 days.
1. Word Family Book – The word family book is now offered in TWO versions.
Version one works best for one learner.
Version two is doubled up on each page, so it makes printing for your classroom easier. The 5-day lesson outline gives you ideas each day for using the book or other variations of it from the curriculum.
2. One-Page Reader – All the same text and clip art from the word family books, just on one page. One idea for this page is to cut apart the strips and have learners paste them back in order using the book as an example.
3. Pocket Chart Reader – This activity is a great way help learners build print awareness! Just cut apart the words and ask learners to rebuild sentences on a pocket chart. If you don’t have a pocket chart, you’ll want to buy one {I recommend the standard pocket chart} or learners can use floor space.
4. Pocket Chart Reader Picture Cards – Each lesson comes with cards matching the reader that fit in a standard pocket chart. Use them along with the pocket chart reader.
5. Pocket Chart Word Family Cards – In most word family lessons, cards are also included for the featured word family. Learners can sort between different word families starting in Lesson 14 {-ig word family}. Each part of the curriculum has a word family pattern included.
The pocket chart cards are self-checking when printed front to back, so learners can quickly correct mistakes.
6. Word Family Puzzles – Ahead of time, cut out puzzles on the dotted lines. Learners put the puzzles back together to spell the word family words.
7. Word Family Bottle Cap Spelling Cards – Two levels are included. Level 1, pictured at the top, asks learners to just fill in the missing first letter {or onset}. Level 2, pictured at the bottom, asks learners to fill in the entire word family word.
8. Word Family Onset & Rime Cards – Great for the pocket chart or table top. Ideas on how to use them are in the download.
9. Word Family Word Cards – Also great for the pocket chart or table top. Ideas on how to use them are also in the download.
10. Cut & Paste Word Family Pages – A simple, no prep way to read word family words and match pictures. Use this page in lieu of the pocket chart picture/word cards or as an extra practice on another day.
11. Trace the Word Pages -My youngest LOVED to trace when we used Reading the Alphabet, so I’ve added one more tracing page. Learners get practice tracing each word from the reader on this page. The page can be slipped into a plastic protector and included in “My Handwriting Notebook.”
12. Roll & Graph Letter Sounds Review – A fun, hands-on way to review letter sounds from the previous lessons if needed. Just slip pictures into pocket cubes and away you go!
13. Match-a-Rhyme Cut & Paste Page – A no prep page to review rhymes from the previous lessons.
14. Roll-a-Rhyme Activity – Use your pocket cubes to roll and rhyme. If you use this, I recommend using it before the Match-a-Rhyme Cut & Paste Page.
15. Syllable Review Dot Pages – Learners count the syllables in each review word from previous lessons.
To use the pages more than once, use transparent counters one day
and dot paint the next. I love how visual this makes counting syllables!
16. Concepts of Print Craft – In this simple activity, learners are working on concepts of print. Learners create something that features the word family. You can go all out or keep it really simple. Afterwards, you put together a sentence related to the craft.
17. Word Family Lacing Cards – These simple lacing cards are a great way to help learners work on those fine motor muscles. These may work particularly well for learners who don’t like to trace.
18. Read & Trace Sight Words Review Pages – A no prep way to practice tracing. Learners read the sight word, and then trace the sight word.
19. Read & Build Sight Words Review Pages – Two versions are included. One that allows learner to use any kind of letter manipulative and one with boxes that works well with letter stamps or letter tiles.
20. Color by Sight Word Page – Follow the sight word color key to color in the picture.
21. Roll & Dab Sight Words – This no prep page works on sight word review AND recognizing sight words using different fonts. Learners roll the die and then dab {or dot} one of the sight word that matches.
22. Sight Word Search – Learners find the sight words on each line. {Half way through the curriculum, these become a little more challenging.}
23. Sight Word Cards – Each part of Reading the Alphabet has sight word cards. Use them as flash cards or for hands-on learning, like spelling words with magnetic letters.
24. 20-Grid – Learners roll a die and cover the board until they get to 20. Encourage learners to cover the board going from left to right, the direction they go when they read.
25. Roll & Tally 20-Grid – This page includes tally marks, too! This is one I did WITH my preschooler. She rolled and covered, and I kept the tally marks at first. Once she watched me keep the tally marks for several lessons, she wanted to switch roles and keep the tally marks herself.
26. Number Dot Pages – FOUR options are available for each lesson. These four options allow you to differentiate the activity for your learners. You do not need to use every page with each learner.
For the first two pages include a 1-10 page and a 10-20 page. You’ll use the number cards included at the beginning of each curriculum section. Turn the number face-down. Learners pick a number, read the number, find the number, then dot the number on the page.
The second set of dot pages includes a 1-die page and a 2-dice page. For the 2-dice page example, just roll the dice, add the numbers, and then dot the sum. The 1-die pages are even simpler. Directions are included on each page.
27. How Many? Math Mat – This used to only be available for Lessons 15-31, but I’ve now included it in each lesson! I LOVE how flexible this activity is. Here are just five ideas:
1- Place a number of objects on the mat and learners count them.
2- Learners draw a number, read the number, then put that many on the mat.
3- Learners draw a number, trace the number, then put that many on the mat.
4- Tell a simple number story to learners {using addition or subtraction}. They use the cards to solve it on the mat.
5. Tell a number story to learners. They use the cards to solve it on the mat. Then they build a number sentence based on your story with the symbol cards.
28. Cut & Pattern Cards – Learners work on identifying and building patterns, all based around the word family rime.
First, cut along the horizontal lines for learners. Then, learners cut out the individual cards on the vertical dotted lines.
Use the cards to make patterns together.
If your learner is ready for even more short vowel work, grab my Blending Sounds CVC Pack! It’s a great addition to the word family work from Reading the Alphabet.
The updated version is COMING SOON!
You might also want to see how I organized Reading the Alphabet.
Enjoy teaching!
~Becky