Fun fact: Did you know that every word in English has a vowel? In fact, every SYLLABLE in English has a vowel.
So why is that such a big deal? Well, kids learn to read middle vowels in CVC words AFTER they learn to read those ending consonants.
For instance, a new reader might see the word DEN in a book and read DAN or DIN or DUN. It’ll take A LOT of practice for that middle vowel to finally stick.
But since every word has at least one vowel in it, it’s a REALLY important skill for kids to learn because it takes their reading to a whole new level. And the best way to encourage kids to practice is to make it fun…
That’s why I’m so excited to pass along this batch of Word Family Mats to you! Because each column focuses on just one vowel, kids get lots of practice reading them. PLUS, who doesn’t love playing with magnetic letters?! If you’re looking for more letter fun, snag our Word Work Games in our shop!
Getting Ready
Pulling together the center only took two minutes. (Not many activities can promise THAT, can they?!)
I just printed off the word family mats and record sheet and grabbed our basket of magnetic letters.
Since I wanted to build CVC words, I took the vowels out of the bin and placed them to the side so that they couldn’t be used.
That’s it! We were ready to play.
Word Family Mats
My first grader, Avery, pulled out a magnetic letter and slid it into the empty circle at the very top of the mat. Then she read the word out loud: TUB.
Avery continued placing magnetic letters in each empty spot, reading the words she built along the way: GUB, MUB, JUB….
Because each column focused on just one vowel, she was able to get lots of practice reading it.
When all of the circles on her mat had a consonant in them, Avery grabbed her record sheet and started writing the words in two columns: real and nonsense.
TUB was an actual word, so she wrote it in the “real” column. But GUB and MUB were not real so she recorded them in the “nonsense” column.
Once Avery had written all of the words, she read through both lists one more time to stretch her brain and then she grabbed a new mat and started all over again.
Download Your Set
Ready to practice CVC word families too?
Click the blue download button below to grab your copy and then hop over to join The Plato Pack so you can get ALL of our word family centers!
And if you’re looking for more word work fun, snag our Word Work Games!
That you so much for the work you put into what you publish and allow us to use for FREE. I love it !
YAY Marcella! I’m thrilled that the word family mats will come in handy. XOXO
Thank you so much! I am so excited to get started with these.
You are very welcome!
Hope your students love it!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
These are awesome. I am so excited to use them.
Hooray Kelly! I’m so, so, SO glad that the word family mats are helpful. I hope your students love them!
This download is not working.
I’m SO sorry that you’re having difficulty downloading the file. It sounds like your web browser may have a pop up blocker turned on so let’s try troubleshooting…
1. Click over here and follow the step-by-step directions for turning off the blocker: https://kb.iu.edu/d/atdz
2. Then click the blue “DOWNLOAD HERE” button at the bottom of this post again and enter your information again.
Fingers and toes crossed that does the trick! If you’re still having difficulty, please send my team a quick email message at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com and we’ll send the mats to you directly. ?
– Malia
It won’t let me download.
Hi Jayne! It sounds like your web browser may have a pop up blocker turned on so let’s try troubleshooting…
1. Click over here and follow the step-by-step directions for turning off the blocker: https://kb.iu.edu/d/atdz
2. Then click the blue “DOWNLOAD HERE” button at the bottom of this post again and enter your information again.
Fingers and toes crossed that does the trick! If you’re still having difficulty, please send my team a quick email message at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com and we’ll send the mats to you directly. ?
The download is not working yet.
Hi Camille! I’m sorry that you’re having trouble accessing the download. Hopefully these steps will fix it: 🙂
–> Click the big blue “DOWNLOAD HERE” button at the bottom of the blog post.
–> Enter your name and email address and then click “Grab It Now”. The file will automatically open up for you.
I hope you and your students love the word family mats!
The download here button does not bring up the “name and email address” box. Nothing happens!
Hmmm….
It sounds like your web browser may have a pop up blocker turned on so let’s try troubleshooting-
1. Click over here and follow the step-by-step directions for turning off the blocker: https://kb.iu.edu/d/atdz
2. Then click the blue “DOWNLOAD HERE” button at the bottom of this post again and enter your information again.
Fingers and toes crossed that does the trick! If you’re still having difficulty, please send my team a quick email message at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com and we’ll send the mats to you directly. ?
Hi. I can get it to download but when I try to open it, it states its been damaged and cannot be repaired. Is there another way to access this?
Hi Tammy,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry you’re having trouble opening the file. You want to make sure you have the most recent version of Adobe Reader Other and that the file has been saved to your computer. If you still can’t get it to work, you can email me at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
I am unable to download this freebie.
Hi April,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry you’re having trouble downloading. We never want that. Please check out our troubleshooting video HERE for help. You’ll also want to make sure you have the most recent version of Adobe Reader Other and that you’re allowing pop ups from our site. If you still can’t get it to work, you can email me at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
Hi Team,
I have enabled pop-ups and still cannot download – when I right-click on the button it only gives me options as if it is an image rather than a link. Has the link been disconnected?
Thanks,
Anna
Hi Anna,
I’m so sorry it’s giving you problems. The link is still active, but you do not need to right click on it to get the download. You can just click on it, and a window should pop up for you to enter your name and email. After doing that, it should take you directly to the download. If you can’t get it, please email me at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com and I’d be happy to help 🙂
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
Well you can teach a old dog new tricks. I have been filing away all you wonderful information to use with my Grandchildren, 5 & 3 but this info has helped me understand my son (22 now). He always said then when he meant than.
Thank you for the Gems you send to us.
You are so welcome!
I love that you are putting away stuff to work with your grandchildren – and that it’s helped you understand what your son was doing when he was younger as well!
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador
I can not download this freebie. Please help.
Hi Phyllis,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m sorry you’re having trouble downloading. We never want that. Please check out our troubleshooting video HERE for help. You’ll also want to make sure you have the most recent version of Adobe Reader Other and that you’re allowing pop ups from our site. If you still can’t get it to work, you can email me at hello@www.playdoughtoplato.com
Warmly,
Ashley // Happiness Ambassador