Do you need tips or ideas for teaching the short a word families?
With the beginning of the school year approaching, it’s about that time when I start thinking of materials and lessons I’ll need to start the year. As an intervention teacher, I definitely start thinking about teaching short vowels – beginning with short a!
I’m excited to share with you how I teach the short a word families using my Short a Word Sort Set! Using these sorts has allowed me to teach nine different word family patterns in a structured and systematic way!
You can try a free sample of my Short a Word Sorts. Keep reading to download the freebie below!
Where to begin
Sometimes the hardest part is just knowing where to start!
I give my students a quick phonics assessment to determine what they know and what I need to teach them. Typically my first (and second) graders need short vowel instruction. I begin by teaching the short a word family patterns, since this is usually already a strength for them. And I believe in building upon my students’ strengths to help fill in the gaps.
Teaching the short a mini-lessons
Before my guided reading lesson, I start with a quick phonics mini-lesson. And I mean MINI – I try to keep it to 5 minutes. I have limited time during intervention groups, so every second counts. We may work on a single skill over several days, but I want to make sure we get to actual reading, so the phonics portion has to be quick!
Introducing the skill
I follow a gradual release model of instruction, or the “I do, We do, You do” model. I start by introducing the patterns we are working on. For example, if I want to teach the -ab, -an, and -at families, I take out my short a posters and lay them on the table. We discuss the key words on the posters and brainstorm other words that rhyme with them. (Activate phonemic awareness and background knowledge!)
After introducing these patterns, I hang the posters on the wall. These are our reference words now for -ab, -an, and -at words.
Moving from direct instruction to guided practice
Next, we practice reading words with the selected patterns and sorting them according to the word ending. I always model this a few times, but quickly move into the “We do” segment of the lesson to allow for guided practice.
After modeling, I pass out the remaining word cards to the students. They take turns reading the card aloud, and placing it in the correct column. They absolutely love doing this part of the lesson – EVERY time!
Time for independent practice
Once I feel like the students are ready, then it’s time for them to independently practice sorting the short a word families! They practice this skill on their own using an independent sort. They cut the words apart and glue them under the correct column. To speed things up for intervention, I often pre-cut the words and have them paperclipped – ready to sort and glue!
What’s included with the word sort set?
There are five word sorts included with the Short a Word Sort Set.
- Sort 1: -ab, -an, -at
- Sort 2: -ap, -ack, -an
- Sort 3: -ag, -ad, -ack
- Sort 4: -ab, -and, -at
- Sort 5: -ag, -ap, -ash
Want to differentiate?
These sorts are not just for intervention students! You can use these sorts with your whole class when you’re introducing short a. You can follow the same lesson structure! It works for small groups or a whole class!
Do you have students who need a challenge? These sorts also include cvc words with beginning blends and digraphs. Pull a small group of students and provide some enrichment to push the learning for those students!
Try a Free Sample
You can download a free sample of the Short a Word Sorts! Get the sorts for the -ab, -an, and -at families that was featured above.
If you’re looking for more short a word sorts, click the image below to visit my Teachers Pay Teachers store and check out my Short a Word Sort Set!
Let me know what you think of this free word sort sample by commenting below!
Best wishes for a successful school year!
