This series of lessons provides a framework for introducing students to short-vowel word families. Focusing first on the "a" family, students work together and individually to learn the word families -at, -an, -ap, and -ack. Teachers begin by introducing the word sort, inviting students to compare, contrast, and reflect on four word families. Students then work with partners to practice sorting and reading words with increased speed and accuracy. As their skills and confidence improve, students are asked to sort, read, and write words individually. These lessons can also be adapted to teach other short-vowel word families. (author/ncl)