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Spelling Words with Voiced 'th' Sound (as in "then")

Teaching students to recognize and spell words containing the voiced 'th' sound is a crucial component of early literacy instruction. This phonetic pattern appears in many common English words, particularly demonstrative pronouns and temporal words that students encounter frequently in both reading and writing.

Word List

Here are common words that use the voiced 'th' sound:

  • that
  • than
  • them
  • then
  • there
  • this
  • thus
  • smooth
  • breathe

Educational Significance

These words form an essential part of a student's core vocabulary. The voiced 'th' sound, represented by the digraph 'th', is one of the distinctive features of English pronunciation. Unlike its unvoiced counterpart (as in "think"), the voiced 'th' requires vocal cord vibration during pronunciation, making it a unique sound for many learners to master.

Common Core Standards Alignment

This word list aligns with several Common Core Standards for English Language Arts, particularly in the areas of phonics and spelling instruction:

  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.2.D: These words represent common spelling patterns that first-grade students need to master for conventional spelling.
  • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.3.2.F: The voiced 'th' pattern exemplifies the type of spelling pattern and generalization that third-grade students should apply in their writing.

The progression from simple words like "this" and "that" to more complex words like "breathe" and "smooth" supports the developmental sequence outlined in these standards, allowing teachers to differentiate instruction while working within the same phonetic pattern.

Teaching Strategies

When introducing these words, it's helpful to have students place their hands on their throats to feel the vibration that occurs with voiced 'th' sounds. This physical awareness helps distinguish between voiced and unvoiced 'th' sounds and reinforces correct pronunciation, which supports accurate spelling.

Word Usage Context

Most of these words are high-frequency words that appear regularly in elementary-level texts. Words like "that," "this," "then," and "there" are particularly important as they serve multiple grammatical functions and are essential for constructing coherent sentences.

Create a worksheet using words from this list

Practice and Assessment

Regular practice with these words through various activities helps students internalize the spelling pattern. Activities might include word sorts (comparing voiced and unvoiced 'th' words), sentence writing, and dictation exercises. The goal is to move students from phonetic spelling to conventional spelling of these common words.

Using our worksheet generator, teachers can create customized practice materials that focus specifically on these voiced 'th' words, ensuring students receive targeted practice with this important spelling pattern.