Phonics for Kids Lesson 5: CVC Words and Word Families (-at, -en, -ig, -og, -un, -ug) with Free Worksheet

If your child can read cat, they can read hat, mat and bat! In Phonics Lesson 5, children learn what CVC words are, read six word families (-at, -en, -ig, -og, -un, -ug), and make new words by changing the first sound. They spot mistakes, build a Word Family House, and finish with a 5-question quiz.

1. CVC Words and Word Families

• CVC = consonant, vowel, consonant: c-a-t
• A word family shares the same ending: cat, hat, mat.
• Change the first sound to make a new word.

2. Six Word Families

• -at – cat, hat, bat
• -en – pen, ten, hen
• -ig – pig, big, dig
• -og – dog, log, frog
• -un – sun, run, fun
• -ug – bug, rug, mug

3. Change the First Sound

c → h (cat → hat), p → t (pen → ten), p → b (pig → big), s → r (sun → run)

4. Spot the Mistake

• ❌ “bat” put in the -en family  →  ✅ bat → -at family
• ❌ d-i-g read as “dog”  →  ✅ d-i-g → dig

5. Your Turn

Ask your child these questions. Answers are in brackets.

• Read: m · a · t (mat)
• Read: h · e · n (hen)
• log: change l to f-r (frog)
• Which family? rug, mug, bug (-ug)

6. Activity: Word Family House

You need: a sheet of paper, crayons.

1. Draw a big house. Write -at on the roof.
2. Write family words in the windows: cat, hat, bat, mat.
3. Read them aloud. Then draw a house for -ig!

7. Quick Recap

• CVC words have three sounds: c-a-t.
• A word family has the same ending: -at, -en, -ig.
• Change the first sound to make a new word.
• Listen for the middle sound: d-i-g → dig.

Free Worksheet

Download and print the worksheet (answer key included):

Phonics 5: CVC Words and Word Families worksheet (PDF) →

Take the Online Test

22 questions with instant answers and explanations:

Start the Phonics 5: CVC Words and Word Families online test →