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AN Word Family Printables and Activities

The AN word family words are perfect for practicing with your kindergartner as they begin to sound out words. "Can" is one of the first sight words taught to kids as they begin to read basic sentences like "I can _____." While we teach children to memorize "can," it's a phonetically spelled word that can be used to help students read other words in the same word family.

Check out these free -an word family worksheets and games that will make learning to read simple and fun. Game number 4 is a guaranteed hit!

What are word families?

Word Families are sets of words that have the same ending and rhyme. The ending of words in a word family is commonly referred to as the "root."

Children have more success when reading words that are familiar, so by having kids reads words that have the same end, they can decode the sounds with increased speed. Studies have shown that learning to read word families develops vocabulary, as well as children's ability to recognize patterns in words, ultimately leading them to read with greater understanding and speed.

To grab your list of AN words, click the list below or continue reading for more AN words printable worksheets.

an word family list of words

AN Word Family Worksheets

It's no secret that I'm not a fan of worksheets, but I also know that teachers often use worksheets as homework to reinforce skills learned in the classroom. Here are some printable worksheets that would help strengthen reading skills, followed by some hands-on ways to teach the AN family words. One of the best ways to use these -an word family worksheets is for homework or to reinforce AFTER direct instructions.

Mini Word Search

circle the AN word
This simple word search only goes vertically, making it a fun and totally doable activity for the earliest readers.

AN Word Match and Write

AN words match and write

AN Word Family Read and Circle

next to each picture read the two words and circle the one that matches

AN Words With Pictures Flashcards

How do you teach word families in hands-on ways?

If you've read my blog before, you know that I would never share worksheets without sharing ACTIVITIES that make learning these words even more fun.

Got a child who cringes when you show them a worksheet? That's okay! Try any of these activities to make practicing reading AN words more hands-on and exciting for young learners. You can use these games with any word families!

Kid-Approved Games to teach AN word family words:

  1. Classic Memory: Play a game of memory with the flashcards, flipping them over and taking turns to make a match. Use the free cards I made!
  2. Word Ladder: Recreate your own word family ladder like we did for the AT word family. You can make it outside in chalk and then hop and read each of the words in the -an word family!
  3. Write The Room: This is a classic staple in my classroom. Hide the pictures of -an word families around the room. Give your child a white board and ask them to write the word for each picture they find.
  4. Swat-it: tape all the -an words on the wall, and yell out the word for your child to SPLAT as shown in this picture with the AT word family
  5. Connect the words to the pictures: Place a small piece of string by each AN word, then have your child read the word, and connect the string to the picture.
  6. Any of the hands-on game to teach CVC words you can find right HERE.
September 8, 2021

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