IG Word Family Handwriting Workbook
Free printable Foundation handwriting resource
The ig word family workbook includes big, dig, fig, pig and wig. Its glossary introduces a size word, an action, food, an animal and an object before repeated g-tail practice on Foundation handwriting guides.
Preview what is inside
1 of 3
Use the arrows or dots to see the front cover, one glossary page and one handwriting sheet. The two inside-page previews are watermarked; download the PDF for clean printable pages.
Compare the ig ending with the groups on CVC Word Families Poster. For the individual letter movements used in big and wig, select the relevant examples from Alphabet Letter Formation Worksheets A-Z.
About this ig word family
Big describes size rather than naming a particular object, and dig describes an action. Fig and wig may be unfamiliar vocabulary even when pig is easily recognised. The examples help connect these meanings to their shared short-i spelling.
Every target ends in g, whose tail goes below the baseline. Initial b and d rise above the middle guide, p descends, and f and w bring different stroke patterns. The same ending therefore follows several contrasting formations.
What is included?
- 5 words: big, dig, fig, pig, wig.
- 1 picture-glossary page with meanings and example sentences.
- 1 handwriting sheet using grey models, dotted letters and independent copying space.
- 6 PDF pages in total: front cover, instructions, glossary, handwriting sheets and two terms pages.
How to use this ig word family
Read pig and fig, identifying each sound before comparing the initial letters. Explain what a fig is with the glossary and a clear picture if needed. Do not rely on a child recognising the fruit illustration without discussion.
Model the g tail in one full word, then follow the grey, dotted and independent strips. Ask the learner to keep i short and add its dot, while leaving room for g below the line.
Demonstrate dig in a separate practical context and compare a big object with a smaller one. Return to the glossary sentences before writing. When reviewing, ask pupils to say which meaning belongs to the word they have just copied.
Meanings in the ig word family glossary
big
Meaning: Large in size.
Example: The big bag holds my books.
dig
Meaning: To make a hole in the ground.
Example: Dig a hole for the plant.
fig
Meaning: A soft fruit with many tiny seeds.
Example: The fig is ripe.
pig
Meaning: A farm animal with a snout.
Example: The pig is in the mud.
wig
Meaning: Hair made to be worn on the head.
Example: The actor put on a wig.
Teaching and follow-up ideas
- Compare big and small objects, then identify big as the printed target.
- Use a gardening picture to discuss dig and its action meaning.
- Sort pig, fig and wig by meaning rather than by their identical ending.
- Compare g tails in two copied rows and choose the clearer placement.
Support and challenge
Rehearse g at a larger size when its tail is cramped. Begin with pig and big if fig or wig are new. Challenge pupils to compose an oral phrase such as a big pig and point out both practice words.
Where this fits in learning
The ig word family supports short-i decoding alongside descender control. Teach each unfamiliar initial correspondence first. A later comparison between pig and pin checks whether children attend to the last letter rather than predicting the rhyme.
For further teacher reference when modelling the letter movements in big and wig, NSW Education collects handwriting sequences and advice on formation, posture and pencil grasp. These are background teaching resources, not a claim that this booklet follows a particular syllabus: NSW handwriting teaching resources.
Resource licence
Free for personal, homeschool or single-classroom use under the terms included in the PDF. Resale, redistribution and uploading the file to another website are not permitted.
Questions about this workbook
Are all the ig words nouns?
No. Big describes size and dig is an action. The glossary explains these alongside the nouns fig, pig and wig.
Which ig word family spellings are practised?
big, dig, fig, pig, wig. The glossary gives a meaning and sentence for every entry.
What is in the downloadable PDF?
There are 6 pages altogether: a front cover, one instruction page, 1 glossary page(s), 1 handwriting sheet(s) and two terms pages.
What handwriting style does this edition use?
Foundation letterforms, with grey models and dotted tracing followed by copying into ruled space.
Can I use big on its own?
Yes. Choose the word group that matches your lesson and leave the others for another session. Read its glossary meaning and example first.
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