Word Family Cups

This is another idea from Linda Tilton, author of The Teacher's Toolbox. You will need two styrofoam cups and a sharpie. Scissors are optional as you can probably just tear the cup.

Step 1: Cut or tear a notch in one of the cups as shown.


Step 2: Program the cup with the notch out with the word family ending of your choice using a sharpie marker.


Step 3: Program the other cup with the beginning letter or blends to make the words in the family.



Step 4: Students will turn the top cup reading the words they make.


Jill's version: These pictures are just the samples I made in the workshop. I haven't done this center with my class yet. I think that when I do, I would like to make pictures to go along with each word. I would then have them make a word by turning the top cup, read it, and then velcro the picture to match the word to the top part of the cup (I am bored by all that white space at the top of the cup). I would also have to have a product for the center, so I would type a worksheet for the students to write the words they made and depending on their ability level possibly write sentences with each word too. Another idea to liven up the cup is to make the cup look like one of the words in the family, for example if it is the -at family put ears, whiskers, eyes, etc. to make top of cup look like a cat. I think it would make the center look more appealing to the kids.