Why teach word families? Because if a child learns a word like “cat” over emphasizing the phonics will result in teaching the child “cu” ‘a” “tuh” and the child will make the word into a three syllable word instead of a one syllable word.
So, as teachers we mix whole language (word families) with phonics.
Here is a list of word families and rhyme words (although names should not be included).
Great Books for Parents and Teachers (because we all know that the great ones are hard to find!):

Easy Lessons for Teaching Word Families (Grades K-2)
Word Family Tales Learning Library
Bob Books, Set …read more