Printable word family worksheets
Pick a word family and an activity, make a new sheet with every tap and print it. Every word is a real, common word, and the answer sheet shows each one split into its beginning and its family.
Preview of the printable sheet: Word family worksheets
In the print window, set the paper to A4 or Letter and the scale to 100%.
- A4 or Letter paper
- Pencil and eraser
- Optional: colored pencils to mark the family
How do I make printable word family worksheets?
On this page you pick a word family, such as -at, -an or -ig, or mixed families, and one of four activities: a family chart to read and trace, add the beginning, build the word, or split the word. Every tap makes a new sheet with real words, and the answers print on a second sheet.
How to use it
- Pick the family: one ending such as -at, -et, -ig, -op or -ug, or Mixed to bring several families together.
- Pick the activity: Chart, Complete, Build or Split.
- Tap Make another sheet to change the words.
- Tick the answer option if you want the solved sheet printed too.
- Tap Print the sheet. In the print window, keep the scale at 100% (or choose Fit to page on Letter paper).
The four activities
- Chart: the family in large print and its words in three columns, one to read, one dotted to trace and one blank to write.
- Complete: words with the beginning missing, such as __at. The beginnings are in the box at the top, and each one is used once.
- Build: blend a beginning and a family and write the word, such as c + at = cat.
- Split: write the beginning and the family of each word, then think of another word from the same family.
Variations
- Mixed with Chart prints one list of all 22 families, with sample words for each, to keep in a folder or on the wall.
- Mixed with Complete gives a word box: the child finds the word with the same ending and writes its beginning.
- Some words begin with two letters that work together, such as sh, ch, th, fl or st.
- All words are in lowercase print, the way they appear in early readers.
Ideas for class and home
- Read the family aloud first: at, cat, hat, mat.
- Ask the child to say the beginning sound, then the family, then the whole word.
- After building the words, ask for a spoken sentence with each one.
- Keep the answer sheet so the child can check the work alone.
Frequently asked questions
What is a word family?
It is a group of words that share the same ending letters and sound, such as cat, hat and mat in the -at family. Changing only the beginning makes a new word.
Do the worksheets come with answers?
Yes. Tick the answer option before printing and you get a second sheet with every word completed, built or split.
Which word families are included?
There are 22 short-vowel and common families: -at, -an, -ap, -ad, -ag, -am, -et, -en, -ed, -ell, -ig, -in, -ip, -it, -ill, -og, -op, -ot, -ug, -un, -ut and -ay.
Why is there no syllable worksheet in English?
Early reading in English is usually taught with word families and phonics, not with syllable charts. The Portuguese and Spanish versions of this page use syllable families instead.
Are the words in lowercase?
Yes. Every word is printed in lowercase, in black and white, the way it appears in early readers.
Can I use them in class?
Yes. The sheets are free to print and use at home or at school.
See also
Word scramble
Unscramble the letters: four themes or your own words.
Name writing practice
Type the name: trace, count, color and cut out.
Handwriting practice
Type a name or sentence and print it to trace.
Word search
Your own words or six themes, with an answer key.
Crossword puzzles
Crosswords with clues, in three themes and three levels.
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