Today I’m sharing a set of printable books to help your child master the short a word families!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
Have you seen my sets of free sight word readers? With 88 books at last count, it’s a giant collection of themed little books that help your child master the basic sight words. They can be used to supplement your reading curriculum or to use alongside This Reading Mama’s free beginning reading curriculum.
But what about those little phonetic words? Like cat, hop, and pin?
I’ve shared many word family resources. Your child can practice reading short vowel words with printable word family houses, read ‘n stick mats, milk cap spelling mats, and even Uno and Crazy 8’s.
But sometimes you need a little something extra.
Introducing… my Measured Mom Phonics Readers! (featuring word families)
I created these as a stepping stone for my Four, who knows about 20 sight words quite well – but hasn’t grasped “sounding it out” with ease. He gets the concept and can sound out a short word with help, but it’s not automatic.
This is my little guy who’s always loved having his own little books. In fact, I created my little letter books for him. Those books of songs and rhymes helped him to learn his letters. My little sight word readers have helped him learn concepts of print and basic sight words.
So I thought… why not create a new set of little books? These would have a new purpose: to help him learn to “sound it out.”
What these books are (and are not!)
- My Measured Mom Phonics Readers are not stories. Writing a story with word family words that makes any kind of sense is extremely hard. Sorry, but I’m just not that creative. (If that’s what you’re looking for, you’ll love the Rhyme to Read app!)
- The books are not entirely phonetic. I am not crazy about books with words you can only sound out. They are typically awkward, contrived, and hard to make sense of.
- My Phonics Readers are simple. These are for children just starting to sound out words. For children who are starting to read short vowel words with ease, you’ll want to look into other decodable books.
- These readers are designed to use by themselves or alongside Reading the Alphabet. This Reading Mama introduces the word family “at” in lesson 7, which makes that a perfect spot to stop and read this set. (Of course I’ll be creating the other short vowel sets for lessons 14, 20, 26, and 31!)
- These books are designed to be companions to my sight word readers. If your child is reading through them, he might be ready to try these short a word family readers after set 5.
Inside a book
After reading the word family name on the cover, your child will open the book and read the opening sentence: “I can read the ___ family.” The page on the right will be a word within that family. I chose to make these words big, bold, and colorful. The word family ending matches the color on the cover so that your child can begin to recognize the word family and read it as a chunk.
You’ll also notice there is no picture clue on that first page. I want kids to really focus on the letters when reading the word for the first time.
When your child turns the page, he will read the word within a simple sentence using sight words that have been taught in my sight word readers. This set of short a books fits right after sets 1-5, in which the words a, the, see, I and look have been taught.
Next, your child has the chance to read another word within the family.
Turning the page, he can read it in a sentence and attempt another word. This pattern continues for a total of six word family words in each book. The end of each book often has a harder word with a digraph (ch, sh, th, wh) or a blend (fr, cl, etc.).
On the last page, your child can read each word in a long list of rhymes.
Tips for using these books with your child
- Make sure your child reads the cover before reading the book. Help him say the vowel and consonant sounds and blend them together.
- When reading the big new word, direct your child to the word family if he’s stuck. It’s not uncommon for a new reader to say that the word family is “am” but then read “ram” as “rat.” Help him flip back to the cover, identify the family, and then put that family at the end of the consonant. (“Remember to read all the way to the end of the word!”)
- Those words with beginning blends are tough for new readers. My little guy would read “c-l” and “am” but put them together as “cam.” Be patient and work on those words together. One day it will click!
- If your child enjoys these, give him many opportunities to read them. Read to Grandma over Skype, read to Daddy, read to himself. I suggested my Four read one of the books to Daddy, and I was thrilled when he decided to read the entire set.
- Celebrate! You might want to make a sticker chart with each book’s title. Let your child put up a sticker after he reads a particular book.
How to assemble
Print pages 2-29, front to back. (Page 1 is my Terms of Use – be sure not to print it or they will all be messed up!) I like to print on light or medium cardstock.
Each book will be two full sheets of paper, front to back. Cut on the horizontal center of each book. (I love our paper cutter! I’ve used it for years. A little pricey on Amazon, but you might be able to get it at Michaels with a coupon.)
Fit the pages together in their proper order.
Fold.
Staple on the fold with a long-armed stapler.
I hope you love these! We’re pretty excited about them around here. 😉
XX
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© 2014 – 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.
tahira hakeem says
Hello.thank u so much.i really loved it.now its easy for me to teach my 4-5 years old students.they just started to read.thank u.god bless you.
Anna Geiger says
You’re welcome, Tahira 🙂
Deborah says
Thank you so much for all the hard work you put in and share with us. For those of us who are not as tech savy, it is a lifesaver. I love your website.
Anna Geiger says
Thank you so much, Deborah!
Heather Pontious says
I love your creations! Thank you for helping moms homeschool for free.
I blogged about several and share with my Facebook Group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/buildyourownhomeschoolcurriculumforfree
Anna Geiger says
Thanks for sharing, Heather!
Julie says
Thank you so much!!! I love your sight word readers and some of my preschoolers are just finishing up Set 5. These are absolutely perfect!
Anna Geiger says
Yay! So glad to hear it, Julie!
Nicole says
I just found your website thru a Pinterest pin. I will definitely peruse thru your boards and website.
I have a 7yr old foster child who’s repeating the 1st grade and her reading skills are severely lacking.
She needs fun & different options to be motivated.
Thanks for these options
Anna Geiger says
I hope you find things here to work for her, Nicole! Thanks so much for visiting. Feel free to ask specific questions in the comments or contact me via my contact form in the menu bar.
Talia says
My daughter is just about finished with this first set, and I just have to say thank you! She has become so much more confident with her reading and short a words she’s reading fluently in our other books. I look forward to reading through the rest of the series.
Anna Geiger says
Yay!! Thanks for sharing, Talia.
Jenny Campbell says
Wow! This is a goldmine blog!!!! I am a K ELD teacher and I can’t wait to use your decodable readers to build confidence with my students!!!
Anna Geiger says
Yay! So glad you can use them, Jenny!
Jess T says
I am beginning to homeschool my 4 year old this year. I am sure this will be very useful.
Thank you so much!
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Jess!
Kelley Watson says
Can this be printed doublesided?
Anna Geiger says
Yes, Kelley, that’s the only way they will work. The picture tutorial should answer your questions about how to put them together. Let me know if anything is unclear!
Ilda says
Hi,
I love your page.
I really wanted to download the phonics books (the family words booklets) but i’m really having a hard time. No options for download??? Please Help.
thank you
Anna Geiger says
Hello, Ilda! I’m so sorry for the delay in responding to you. Do you see where it says “Get your free short a phonics readers by clicking HERE” ? It’s near the end of the post. Click on the word HERE and they’ll pop right up!
Purple_Lover says
Hi.. itz look awesome.. but how to get the softcopy.. where to download it??
Anna Geiger says
It’s right there at the end of the post: “Get your free short a phonics readers by clicking HERE.”
Pam says
Hi there, loving the readers but a lot of the links are going to Page Not Found (I’m quite sure I’m clicking the right link).
Kind regards
Anna Geiger says
If you could cut and paste those links in a comment, I could check them out and fix them. Thank you, Pam!
nmonego says
How do you download these? All I see is a bunch of instructions.
Anna Geiger says
It says “Get your free short a phonics readers by clicking HERE.”
Mercy says
Great resources for my pupils this session, thanks.
Mercy – Lagos, Nigeria
Anna Geiger says
I’m glad you can use them, Mercy!
Evelyn says
Thank u so much!!!! These little books are awesome for my TK class!!! 😀
Anna Geiger says
I’m so glad to hear that, Evelyn!
Noelin says
Thanks a bunch, this tiny beautiful has been a great time saver and very useful in my Montessori class.
Anna Geiger says
I’m so glad to hear that, Noelin!
Shiyana says
Really it is a great work,it will help me to teach my son,he is unable to spell the words ,this printable phonic cards system will ease my task,thank you very much,God bless you
Anna G says
I’m so glad to hear that these will work for your son!
Tolu says
God bless you for sharing this. I live in the netherland and i really want to teach my son to read in English. He is 6 now and i know this is overdue. But with these resources i believe we will make good progress. Thanks alot.
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Tolu! Thank you so much for the kind words!
haseena says
Thank you so much for the free downloadable book.
My kids love it.
Anna G says
You’re welcome, Haseena!
Reena says
Thank you for making and sharing your amazing resources. You are very creative and generous.
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Reena!
nutan says
Superb
Seema Bardeskar says
I made these books for my daughter… She is loving them. Trying to put more effort and also appreciates and loves the factor that I made them for her. Thank you for sharing your wonderful resources. They are superb 😊
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Seema!
Salma says
Hi,
I loved this mini bookets but I am unable to download and print them
Anna G says
Did you try the troubleshooting tips here? https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-download-free-files/
Niyah says
Thank you so much! These are perfect! I will be using these with my kinders! You’re awesome!
Anna G says
You’re very welcome, Niyah!
amy says
i love you book but i unable to print it. i cant find the link to print it. can you help me?
Kate Dowling says
Hi Amy!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I just tested this to be sure it works. Please enter your email address when asked, and the file will be sent to your email. When you open your email, you will click on the blue link that says, “CLAIM YOUR OFFER.” Enjoy your free books!
Ajiah Daley says
I’m having trouble downloading your free phonics readers. When I click on the image, i get your bundle offer but the book never downloads. Are they no longer free?
Kate Dowling says
Hello Ajiah!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. I just tested this, so I know how it works! Please enter your email address when asked, and the file will be sent to your email. When you open your email, you will click on the blue link that says, “CLAIM YOUR OFFER.” Enjoy your free books!
Karen says
Hi there.
I tried to access or download the free basic phonic readers without success. I managed fine a few months ago. Please assist.
Kate Dowling says
Hi Karen!
This is Kate, Anna’s assistant. After you click on the big green box, you’ll be asked to enter your email address. Once you do that, the file will be sent to your inbox, so please check your email. Enjoy your free file!