Word Families "at" and "am"

We learn to read unknown words in many ways. We learn some individual words by just looking at them over and over again and being told what they are (memorizing them)(Our names! Sight words). We learn to sound some out (phonics - knowledge of letters and the sounds that they make).

Today we are going to focus on learning Word Families. Before the "break" we read a really fun book called Frog on a Log, and learned about rhyming words. Rhyming words are often Word Family Words. We talked about the word family "at". We made lots of words by adding a new letter to the beginning of "at". (Word families are sometimes called word patterns).
 

   Each week we are going to focus on a new word family. Today we are going to review the"at" family and then you can work on the "am" family on your own. I recommend using the cards or letter magnets to do the "at" family to review!

If you have magnetic letters at home, it makes it so easy. You don't even need to use them on a magnetic board or on the fridge. Using them on the table is fine. If you don't have letter magnets (mine are all at school), or some other letter tile, you can do what I've done here:

I've written the word family on one card, and letters of the alphabet on other cards (or pieces of paper). Then we can match them up and make nonsense words or real words. You can make words with your child, and then ask them if they are a real or nonsense word. (if your child is finding this easy -- you can give an example of a combination of letters - like th, ch, sh, fl, etc.  I would give one combination and then see if they could come up with another. These digraphs and blends are usually taught in late grade 1 or 2, so don't introduce them until they are ready)

Some of the JK's might not know their letter sounds yet (and that's okay, and as it should be -- it is developmental!). We can still do this and focus on naming the letter as well as the sound before we put the letter to the word family ending. For example:
"This is a b, it makes the sound b, b, b. Can you make that sound? Now put that b sound at the front of "at" -- b,at; bat.

Click HERE to read Green Eggs and Ham with Ms. Brown

Now try the "am" word family! (use whatever letters you want - I would suggest using a j, h, s and r with other letters)

Other books to read!
If you have any Dr. Seuss books at home, they are great for learning rhyming words! (The Cat in the Hat, Hop on Pop)

I will add a new word family suggestion every Wednesday in the morning message!