Lesson 44: /zh/ (in endings -sion, -sure, -sual)

Discover the /zh/ Sound in Words Like vision, treasure, and casual

Learning to read becomes easier when children recognize that one sound can have several spelling patterns. In this lesson, we introduce the /zh/ sound, a less common but important consonant sound in English. Children will learn that -sion, -sure, and -sual can all represent the /zh/ sound in different words.

This lesson helps developing readers recognize, pronounce, and read the /zh/ sound through explicit instruction, listening activities, and decoding practice. Following a systematic phonics sequence allows children to build strong foundational reading skills one step at a time. Whether you're a parent, teacher, tutor, or homeschool educator, this free lesson provides engaging resources to support confident, successful readers.

Before You Get Started

All of the resources in this lesson—including the interactive presentation, worksheets, classroom poster, and mini activity book—are completely free to access and edit with Canva Education.

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Once your Canva Education account is approved, you'll be able to access, customize, and use all of the resources in this lesson at no cost.

What Your Child Will Learn

By the end of this lesson, your child will be able to:

• Recognize the /zh/ sound in spoken words.

• Learn that -sion, -sure, and -sual can spell the /zh/ sound.

• Articulate the sound correctly.

• Read and identify words containing the /zh/ sound.

• Compare different spelling patterns for the same sound.

• Strengthen decoding and spelling skills.

Reading Skill Spotlight: The /zh/ Sound

The /zh/ sound is a continuous, voiced consonant sound. It is less common than /sh/ and usually appears in multisyllable words.

Several spelling patterns can represent the /zh/ sound.

The spelling -sion appears in words such as:

• vision

• television

• decision

• occasion

The spelling -sure represents the /zh/ sound in words such as:

• treasure

• measure

• pleasure

• leisure

The spelling -sual appears in words such as:

• casual

• usual

• visual

• sensual

These spelling patterns are often found in more advanced vocabulary. Learning them helps children decode longer words more accurately and builds confidence when reading unfamiliar texts.

Make the Sound

Let's practise together!

The /zh/ sound is made by placing your tongue close to the roof of your mouth while allowing the air to flow out gently.

Round your lips slightly.

Keep your voice on while letting the air continue to move.

Say it slowly:

/zh/

Hold the sound:

/zhhhhh/

Try it three times:

/zh/ … /zh/ … /zh/

Encourage children to place a hand on their throat. They should feel a gentle vibration, showing that /zh/ is a voicedsound.

Teach the Lesson with the Interactive Presentation

Introduce the /zh/ sound using the interactive presentation. It provides explicit instruction, pronunciation practice, spelling patterns, word reading, and engaging activities in a clear, systematic sequence. The presentation is suitable for classrooms, small-group instruction, intervention sessions, tutoring, or home learning.

👉 Access the presentation here:

Download the Free Worksheets

Reinforce learning with printable worksheets that provide opportunities to practise reading, writing, spelling, and applying the /zh/ sound. These activities encourage repeated practice while helping children build confidence and fluency.

👉 Download the worksheets here:

Display the Classroom Poster

Support daily review with a printable classroom poster featuring the /zh/ sound and its spelling patterns. Display it on your phonics wall, literacy centre, or reading corner to provide children with a helpful visual reference throughout the lesson.

👉 Download the poster here:

Practise with the Mini Activity Book

Extend learning with the printable mini activity book. Filled with engaging, hands-on activities, it gives children additional opportunities to review the /zh/ sound through reading, colouring, matching, writing, and word practice. It is ideal for independent learning, literacy rotations, homework, or extra practice at home.

👉 Download the mini activity book here:

Tips for Educators

• Compare /zh/ with /sh/ so children can hear the difference between the voiced and unvoiced sounds.

• Teach the -sion spelling first, as it is the most common pattern for /zh/.

• Introduce -sure and -sual after children are comfortable with -sion words.

• Encourage children to identify common endings such as -sion, -sure, and -sual while reading.

• Remind children that the /zh/ sound is most often found in longer, multisyllable words.

• Keep lessons short, positive, and engaging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age is this lesson suitable for?

This lesson is designed for developing readers, typically between 6 and 9 years old, but it can also support older students who are expanding their decoding skills.

What is the difference between /sh/ and /zh/?

Both sounds are made with the tongue and lips in the same position. The difference is that /sh/ is unvoiced, while /zh/ is voiced. When saying /zh/, you can feel your vocal cords vibrating.

Why is the /zh/ sound less common?

The /zh/ sound appears in relatively few English words and is usually found in longer words that have been borrowed or adapted from other languages.

Can I use these resources in my classroom?

Absolutely! These resources are designed for classroom teachers, reading intervention, tutors, homeschool educators, and families supporting developing readers at home.

Continue Learning

Every new spelling pattern your child masters strengthens their reading foundation. Continue to the next lesson in the Developing Readers series as your child learns another essential phonics pattern through explicit, systematic instruction.

You may also enjoy exploring our growing collection of printable phonics resources, decodable activities, and early literacy materials designed to make learning to read simple, engaging, and effective.