-um Word Family: Word List & Practice
-um Word Family words follow one repeating pattern, so a child who can read one of them has most of what they need to read the rest. This list has 10 kindergarten-level words plus 4 decodable sentences. Practice them out loud — the most common error is confusing 'sum' and 'some' due to identical pronunciation.
- bum
- gum
- hum
- mum
- sum
- chum
- drum
- glum
- plum
- slum
Practice these words out loud
Have your child read these sentences to Word Wiz AI. It listens and shows exactly which sounds they missed, not just whether the word was right. Free, no sign-up needed to try.
Try these out loudDecodable Sentences
Every word in these sentences uses sounds your child has already learned, so they can be read by decoding rather than guessing.
- Hum a tune, chew some gum.
- The drum has a sum.
- A plum makes me glum.
- Chum, do not hum in the slum.
How to Teach -um Word Family Words
The -um family includes 'gum' and 'drum,' two words that connect easily to real objects a child can hold or point to, which supports the concrete, hands-on learning young children benefit from most. 'Sum' is worth a quick note since it sounds identical to 'some,' a common sight word spelled differently — a gentle early example of homophones your child will meet more of later.
'Drum,' 'glum,' 'plum,' and 'slum' all add a beginning blend, so save those for after 'bum,' 'gum,' 'hum,' 'mum,' and 'sum' feel automatic. Try tapping out a rhythm on a real drum (or a table) each time your child successfully reads a new -um word for a bit of playful reinforcement.
Common Mistakes to Watch For
- Confusing 'sum' and 'some' due to identical pronunciation
- Dropping a consonant in blends like 'drum' or 'plum'
- Confusing short u with short o