Lesson 44: Digraph th

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re learning the consonant digraph th, which spells two sounds:

• unvoiced /th/ — like in thin or math

• voiced /th/ — like in this or them

In this lesson, your child will learn how to say both th sounds, understand how th works as a digraph, and practice reading words, phrases, and sentences using this tricky but important sound pair.

What Is the Sound of th?

Unvoiced /th/ — like in thin
To say unvoiced /th/:

• Stick the tip of your tongue gently between your top and bottom teeth.

• Blow air out softly.

• Do not use your voice—just the air.

• It’s a continuous sound: /th...../

Voiced /th/ — like in this
To say voiced /th/:

• Place your tongue the same way as unvoiced /th/.

• This time, turn your voice on while blowing air.

• It’s also a continuous sound: /th...../

Tip: Place your fingers on your throat to feel the difference! You’ll feel a buzz for voiced /th/, but not for unvoiced /th/.

What Is a Digraph?

A digraph is when two letters work together to make one sound.

The digraph th is made of t and h, and it can spell two different sounds: unvoiced /th/ and voiced /th/.

Examples:

• thin = /th/ /ĭ/ /n/

• this = /th/ /ĭ/ /s/

You’ll find th at the beginning or end of words:

• Beginning: thin, that, them

• Ending: math, bath, path

Let’s Practice Reading Words

unvoiced /th/:
thin – theft – thud – thick – cloth – thump – bath – sloth – tenth – fifth – broth

voiced /th/:
than – then – that – this – them – thus

Model:

• “/th/ – /ĭ/ – /n/” → thin

• “/th/ – /ĭ/ – /s/” → this

Guide your child to tap each sound and blend them smoothly.

Let’s Practice Reading Phrases

1. the thin moth

2. bath and math

3. with the cloth

4. a big thump

5. path and bath

6. fifth and sixth

Ask:

• “Which words have the th sound?”

• “Does it sound buzzy or whispery?”

Let’s Practice Reading Sentences

I said to them, ‘Do the math.’
The cloth is on the bed.
That moth is on the path.
This broth is hot.
This is the sixth cup.

Have your child point to each word, tap the sounds, then read smoothly.

Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences

Mini-Story 1:
The sloth is on the bench.
That sloth is big and thick.
The moth is with the sloth.
The moth is thin.
The sloth had a nap.
The moth is glad.

Mini-Story 2:
The bath is hot.
I said to the kids, “Do the bath.”
The cloth is on the tub.
The moth is on the cloth.
I had to dash and get it.
That moth is big!

Encourage your child to act out the stories or retell them using more th words.

Trace and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Trace and write the digraph th

• Sort pictures into voiced and unvoiced th sounds

Download the th Worksheet Here:

Conclusion

The digraph th can be tricky, but with clear practice and fun activities, your child will learn to say, read, and spell both unvoiced /th/ and voiced /th/ confidently.