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The Map in the Gap

Word Families Kindergarten CVC Foundations
The Map in the Gap
The Map in the Gap, page 1
1Ben and Dad sat in the van. Ben had a map on his lap.
The Map in the Gap, page 2
2"I can find the camp," said Ben. But the map fell into a gap! "Oh no," said Ben.
The Map in the Gap, page 3
3"I can not get it." Dad got a long rod. He let it tap the map.
The Map in the Gap, page 4
4Dad pulled the map up. "Good job, Dad," said Ben. "Now we can go," said Dad.
Circle or highlight all the target words in the story above.

Comprehension Questions

After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:

  1. Where did Ben and Dad sit?
  2. What did Dad use to get Ben’s map?
  3. What did Dad say they can do now?
Keep practicing
Practice Word Families with 10 more free worksheets

Picture worksheets to read, match and spell these words, plus this story's word sort, phrasing cards and word search.

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The Map in the Gap printed mini-book cover Download Mini-Book
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Read-aloud version (one page per sheet, for projecting)
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Reader Details

Phonics Skill Word Families
Grade Level Kindergarten
Phase CVC Foundations
Worksheets Word Families Worksheets

Target Words

cat bat hat mat sat rat can man pan ran fan van

Sight Words

the is a and to was it on his in

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Pat's Stolen Mat
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A Man in a Van
 Dan's Good Nap illustration
Dan's Good Nap
 Ben's Red Cap illustration
Ben's Red Cap
 Peg's Hot Pan illustration
Peg's Hot Pan
 Sam's Lost Map illustration
Sam's Lost Map
 Sal's Red Cap illustration
Sal's Red Cap
Did they understand it?
One-page stories to read, then circle, color or draw

Free kindergarten reading comprehension sheets, built from the same short-vowel words as this book. Black and white, with answer keys.

See the kindergarten sheets →
← Sam's Red Top Ben's Red Cap →

About This Decodable Reader

“The Map in the Gap” is a free printable decodable reader designed for kindergarten students practicing word families phonics patterns. This mini-book uses phonetically controlled vocabulary so beginning readers can successfully sound out nearly every word in the story, building confidence and reinforcing the specific phonics skills they're learning.

The free PDF is a full-color illustrated mini-book: a cover, four picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the word families words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the three sheets, cut each one in half along the dashed line, and staple — your child has a real little book to hold. A read-aloud version with one large page per sheet is also included for projecting to the whole class.

This reader is part of our collection of free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with word families patterns, try our word families phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.