Word sticks to practice word families (video)

When he turned three, Mini Me got a set of BOB Books (at my request).  I thought he was ready to start using them but I was wrong.  He wasn't that interested in trying to read them himself and just wanted me to read to him.  I figured that would eventually lead to him memorizing the books, which he does so well, and that would defeat the purpose.  I pulled the books out to try on occasion throughout the year and it's just in the last month that he is extremely interested - and so excited - to really read them on his own.  He knows all the letter sounds and simply loves sitting with me to read his books.  I  get giddy lumps in my throat watching him read.  What an amazing skill!


Long ago I saw this post on a little game to practice word families.  When I saw Mini Me getting so excited about reading his BOB Books, I thought it might be the right time to give the game a try, too.  Our word sticks are not as fancy as the post I read, but Mini Me put them together with me and I think that is more meaningful to him - he made them himself.


We gathered paint sticks, paper towel tubes, yarn, crayons, and markers.  Daddy helped us drill a hole in each paint stick.  Mini Me decorated the paper towel tubes and wrote some of the word family letters on each one.  

Our word sticks are double-sided and we can practice the -ig, -ug, -at, -ack, -ot, and -et word families.  As soon as we get more empty paper towel tubes, we're going to make some more.  This is so much fun for Mini Me.  


Here is a video of him in action: