Phonics Practice · Step 4 of 12
Word families
Words that rhyme and share an ending: cat, hat, sat. Also ll, ss, ff and zz.
Made by Teddy Rook Book to practice alongside Hannah Ward's lessons. It is not part of her curriculum. About this practice
For grown-ups
What this step teaches
A word family is a group of words with the same ending, like -at (cat, hat, sat) or -ig (big, dig, pig). Changing only the first sound makes a new word. This step also brings in doubled letters at the end of short words: bell, kiss, puff, buzz. The two letters make one sound.
As you practice: Read the ending first (-at), then put the first sound on: /k/ ... at, cat. Changing just one sound makes a new word.
Away from the screen
- Write a family ending (-at) on a card. Hold letter cards in front of it, one at a time, and read each new word.
- Rhyme in the car: “What rhymes with hop?” Silly words count too, as long as they rhyme.
- Fold a paper strip so only the first letter changes, like a flip book.
With Hannah's lessons
Pairs with the rhyming and word-reading parts of Hannah's 120 lessons. Use it as extra practice when a lesson brings in words that rhyme.
📖 Read in 120 Lessons🎯 Phonics Boot Camp
Hannah's lessons may bring in sounds in a different order. Follow her order, and use the step here that matches what she has taught.
The new sounds, and how to say them
- ff as in puffTwo f's, one sound: “fff,” as in puff.
- ll as in bellTwo l's, one sound: “lll,” as in bell.
- ss as in kissTwo s's, one sound: “sss,” as in kiss.
- zz as in buzzTwo z's, one sound: “zzz,” as in buzz.
Heart words for this step
Heart words are common words with a part that doesn't follow the rules your child knows yet. Sound out the regular parts, and learn the ♥ part by heart.
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