UG Word Family Handwriting Workbook
Free printable Foundation handwriting resource
The ug word family workbook includes bug, dug, hug, jug, mug, pug, rug and tug. Two glossary pages explain the words, and two Foundation handwriting sheets give repeated practice of the descending g.
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 ug ending with the groups on CVC Word Families Poster. For the individual letter movements used in bug and tug, select the relevant examples from Alphabet Letter Formation Worksheets A-Z.
About this ug word family
Jug, mug and rug are familiar household examples; bug and pug introduce animals. Dug is a past action, while hug and tug describe different movements. The glossary sentences make these distinctions useful before handwriting begins.
Every target ends in g. Jug begins with j, giving two descenders in one word, while mug and rug begin in the smaller-letter band. Keep u open at the top and leave enough room below the baseline for the final tail.
What is included?
- 8 words: bug, dug, hug, jug, mug, pug, rug, tug.
- 2 picture-glossary pages with meanings and example sentences.
- 2 handwriting sheets using grey models, dotted letters and independent copying space.
- 8 PDF pages in total: front cover, instructions, glossary, handwriting sheets and two terms pages.
How to use this ug word family
Read mug and jug, blending each word before comparing the changed initial sound. Discuss the two containers and point out that their meanings are related even though they are not interchangeable.
Model a handwriting group through grey tracing, dotted tracing and independent copying. In jug, check the j dot and tail separately from the g ending. Ask children to compare the copied u with its model to prevent it closing into o.
Explain dug as digging that happened already, and distinguish a hug from a tug through words or toy demonstrations. Children do not need to hug one another. Spread the eight entries over short sessions so vocabulary discussion does not lead to rushed writing.
Meanings in the ug word family glossary
bug
Meaning: A small insect or similar crawling animal.
Example: A bug is on the leaf.
dug
Meaning: Made a hole in the ground in the past.
Example: The dog dug a pit.
hug
Meaning: To hold someone gently in your arms.
Example: I gave Mum a hug.
jug
Meaning: A container with a handle and a pouring lip.
Example: Pour water from the jug.
mug
Meaning: A cup with a handle.
Example: My mug holds warm milk.
pug
Meaning: A small dog with a short muzzle.
Example: The pug has a curly tail.
rug
Meaning: A thick covering for part of a floor.
Example: The dog sleeps on the rug.
tug
Meaning: To pull with a short strong movement.
Example: Tug the rope gently.
Teaching and follow-up ideas
- Compare a jug and a mug in a photograph and label each on separate paper.
- Discuss dug using a picture of a completed hole.
- Identify the two descenders in jug and check their spacing.
- Use a toy and a short rope to explain tug during an adult-led demonstration.
Support and challenge
Select mug, rug and bug before the less familiar pug or dug. Rehearse g if its tail is omitted. Extend by asking for an oral sentence that makes clear whether someone gave a hug or a tug.
Where this fits in learning
The ug word family supports short-u decoding, vocabulary and g formation. Introduce pug as a type of dog if needed rather than expecting recognition from a picture alone. Follow with mixed endings such as mug and mud when final-sound attention is secure.
For further teacher reference when modelling the letter movements in bug and tug, 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
Does dug describe something happening now?
No. Dug is the past form of dig. The glossary uses an example about a dog making a pit.
Which ug word family spellings are practised?
bug, dug, hug, jug, mug, pug, rug, tug. The glossary gives a meaning and sentence for every entry.
What is in the downloadable PDF?
There are 8 pages altogether: a front cover, one instruction page, 2 glossary page(s), 2 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 bug 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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