Pho
nic
s Fu
n
a sound as in apple
Ask the student to spell the word for 
then explain that here a is a short vowel sound.
bad bag bat
ban bam can
cab cap cat
dad gap hat
mad map mat
man pan rat
ran sad sat
fan fat gas
pad nap pat
sam tag van
Online Links:
Short Vowel Sound Animals
The Cat on the Mat
Dan and A Van
The Lad
Dan And His Cap
Find the Short Vowel Picture
Online Worksheets:
Sheet 01
Sheet 02
Sheet 03
Sheet 04
Sheet 05
Sheet 06
Sheet 07
Sheet 08