OP word family worksheets

Short vowels come first, then digraphs, blends, silent e, vowel teams and r-controlled vowels.
Five words per ladder.
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Replaces the pattern's word bank, for example with this week's spelling words.
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Word ladders with -op family words, with an answer key · 1 page + answer key

NameDatePhonicsWord ladders: -op family wordsStart at the top. Make the change shown to write a new word on each step. Read everyword.flopStart hereChange p to ckChange o to iChange ck to ngChange f to cChange i to ustopStart hereChange p to ckChange o to aChange ck to ffChange a to uChange ff to nmopStart hereChange m to tChange o to iChange p to nChange i to eChange t to hedulist.com/worksheets/phonics/word-families/opFree printables, plus learning programs scholarships can pay for

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Each ladder starts with an -op word (hop, chop, stop) and asks your child to change one letter at a time to build new words. Some steps keep the -op chunk (hop to mop), and others change the ending or the vowel (top to tip), so your child reads the whole word at every step.

Every rung is a real word at your child's level: short vowels, digraphs and blends, nothing harder. The answer key shows each ladder filled in.

Word ladders (also called word chains) are a favorite in structured literacy lessons because they practice reading and spelling together.

Tips for using it

  • Read the finished ladder top to bottom, then bottom to top.
  • Let your child invent one extra rung at the bottom.

Questions

What is a word ladder?

A list of words where each one is made by changing one letter of the word before.

Why do the ladders leave the -op family?

Changing different letters keeps children from relying on the familiar chunk and makes them read every letter.