Introduce a new word family to your entire class with magnetic letters. Place the word family on the board and ask your pupils what letter they could add to the beginning of the word family to create a new word. Another introduction to the word family activity is to create picture cards and matching word family cards. Put the cards into your pocket chart and have the children help you to unscramble the cards. Read a book that repeats words from your word family; for example, if introducing the -at family, read a book about a fat cat. Emphasize each time you read a word family word.
Create hands-on work for your pupils to try individually. Make a sheet that lists out different words in a word family as well as matching pictures. For example, using the -at family, list out: bat, hat, mat, rat and cat. On the paper, provide an area on the bottom of the page where the children can cut out the corresponding pictures and paste them next to the matching word. You can also help children to create word wheels, where the second part of the wheel shows through and the word family ending remains the same. Fasten the two pieces together with a paper fastener. When the child turns the second wheel, a new word is created.
Center time is an opportunity for children to work in small groups on skills they need to develop. While some children are working on word work, you will likely have other children practicing math, reading, writing and working in a small group with you. Provide the children in your class with a center time based on word work. Cut out picture cards of different word family cards and place a magnet on the back. Have the children use magnetic letters to sounds out the letters in the word family cards. You can also copy on card stock picture cards that match with word family cards. Cut the two with a unique cut down the middle to mimic a puzzle cut. Let children match the cards together.
Share with parents what your weekly word family is in your newsletter. Assign children the task of looking through a magazine to find a picture that would fit into your word family for the week. For example, if using the -an family a student might bring in a picture of a can, fan or van. As the children become used to finding word pictures, assign children the task of creating a little book of word family words. In the book, have children write out the word family words on each page and draw a corresponding picture. Allow the children to share their work when they bring it back to school.