Ron was in kindergarten. He knew letter sounds, but he was still behind. His classmates were reading at a higher level. They were able to read words like ship, that, back, sing. Ron was desperate to learn to read. The school expected him to “just get it.” The school thought that if you provide a child with a language rich environment and surround him with books, he’ll pick up on reading. The school did not systematically and explicitly teach th words for kids, sh words for kids, or any other word type known as consonant digraphs.
Contrary to popular thought, learning to read is not natural and can prove very, very difficult for 30% of kids. An additional 30% of kids will struggle with spelling if they don’t receive systematic phonics instruction. In sum, 60% of kids will struggle with basic reading and writing skills without research based reading instruction.
In this post, I’m going to target th words for kids, a word type that should be taught in Kindergarten. Scroll down for a free th book.
First, what are consonant digraphs?
Th is a consonant digraph. A consonant is a letter that is not a vowel. Thus, consonant digraphs are two or more consonants that make one sound. Some other constant digraphs include:
sh as in wish
th as in bath
th as in then
ch as in chop
_tch as in batch
_ck as in deck
_ing as in king
_ng as in long
_ang as in sang
wh_ as in when
Reading elephant offers printable phonics books that focus on each of these consonant digraphs. Get them to help your struggling reader.
Free printable th phonics book for Kindergartners
To help you teach th words for kids, I’m offering a free th book. The book includes limited language, as research-based phonics books are systematic. This means, a kindergartner can be expected to read th words like math, bath, then.
However, he cannot be expected to read th words like wreath, breathe, thankful. In the attached book aimed at kindergartners, you can see that only short vowel Kindergarten words are included. Here is the book. (CLICK THE TEXT FOR THE FREE th BOOK):
Can your kindergartner read the above book yet? Surely, kindergartners need to learn consonant digraphs by the end of the year.
Th words for kindergarten
Systematic phonics instruction means sounds are introduced one at a time. Also, kids review old material extensively.
Ron struggled so much with reading. In class, phonics was introduced haphazardly. For example, when the th unit was introduced, kids were expected to read a whole range of th words, including: teeth, third and thorn. However, in systematic phonics instruction, th can only be used with sound units the child has already learned. Thus, th words for kids should only include:
this, thud, bath, math, them, thin, that, then, thus, thick, thrill, thrash, Beth, Seth, thing, think, thank, Thad, cloth, fifth, tenth, length, throb
The above words only include short vowels and consonant digraphs.
Yes, the list is limited. However, this is the essence of systematic phonics. Expand out only as the child learns more. Don’t throw all word types at him at once. Later, after the child learns ALL consonant digraphs, he can learn th words with long vowels too: teeth, wreathe, breath, three, throat, throw…etc.
Sound Cards for th words for kids
If your student cannot read the attached book yet, make sure he knows the following sounds. Put each sound unit on a card. Review them daily:
a_ as in apple
e_ as in elephant
i_ as in igloo
o_ as in octopus
u_ as in up
sh as in wish
th as in bath
th as in then
ch as in chop
_tch as in batch
_ck as in deck
_ing as in king
_ng as in long
_ang as in sang
wh_ as in when
I hope your student enjoys the free th phonics book!
For our systematic phonics books, check out our shop.
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