This article describes how to create a word family chart with a whole class or small group.  The list of words generated can be simple or expanded, as necessary, up to two and three syllable words.  Creating this list helps children hear and say the sounds, not the letters.  The activity also begins to develop the important alphabetic awareness that words that sound alike at the end also look alike at the end.  Extension ideas are provided that allow children to play with words through games, songs, and drawings to better understand the way the word families are connected. (author/jlkrause)

This article describes how to create a word family chart with a whole class or small group.  The list of words generated can be simple or expanded, as necessary, up to two and three syllable words.  Creating this list helps children hear and say the sounds, not the letters.  The activity also begins to develop the important alphabetic awareness that words that sound alike at the end also look alike at the end.  Extension ideas are provided that allow children to play with words through games, songs, and drawings to better understand the way the word families are connected. (author/jlkrause)