Teaching with word families and rhyming words.

When learning to read, patterns are important. Children recogznize word patterns as opposed to sounding out words. When a learner knows the word 'cat' the pattern to teach is then mat, sat, fat. etc. Over emphasis on phonics will result in 'cu' 'a' 'tuh', the child makes a three syllable word from 1 syllable. This is why it's critical to teach patterns through word families - rhyming words. The printable word families are listed by vowel:

Rhyming Words, Word Families for the Vowel 'A'  

Rhyming Words, Word Families for the Vowel 'e'

Rhyming Words, Word Families for the Vowel 'i'

Rhyming Words, Word Families for the Vowel 'O'    

Rhyming Words, Word Family for the Vowel 'U'

Rhyming Words, Word Family for the Vowel 'Y'

Other Activities using Word Family approach