11. θ - th
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This resource provides four-in-a-row word-grid games for practising reading and spelling words containing the /θ/ sound.
The sound in this set is /θ/. The phonetic symbol /θ/ is part of the International Phonetic Alphabet. In English, this sound is most commonly written as ‘th’, as in thin and thick.
The words are organised by sound, rather than by spelling pattern or word type. Across the grids, words progress from shorter, more transparent items to longer or more complex words, allowing adults to choose an appropriate level for the learner.
How the game works: 4 in a row
Players take turns choosing a word and marking it on the grid.
The aim is to be the first to mark four words in a straight line (across, down, or diagonally).
Unlike the commercial version of this game, learners may start anywhere on the grid.
They do not have to begin at the bottom.
A word can only be marked if it is read or spelled accurately, depending on how the activity is being used.
All grids use the same four-in-a-row format, so learners can focus on the words rather than learning new game rules.
Sound contrast: ‘th’ and ‘f’
One grid in this pack is designed specifically for learners who find it difficult to distinguish between the sounds /θ/ (‘th’) and /f/.
This grid includes contrast words that differ only by the target sound, allowing learners to practise hearing and producing the difference between ‘th’ and ‘f’ while playing the same game.
The focus in this grid is sound discrimination, rather than spelling rules.
High-frequency and curriculum words
Some grids include longer or less transparent words that learners may encounter frequently in real reading, even if they are not yet confident readers.
For example, a learner who struggles with reading may still meet words such as ‘thousand’ in mathematics, particularly if they are more advanced in this area. Including these words allows learners to practise recognising and reading them within a supported, sound-focused activity, rather than encountering them only under pressure.
These words are included deliberately and sparingly, and are intended for guided use, not as first-attempt decoding targets.
What this resource is (and is not)
This resource is a set of word-grid games designed for repeated practice with the /θ/ sound.
It is intended for:
guided reading or spelling practice
targeted sound discrimination work
short, repeatable phonics activities
It is not intended to function as a standalone assessment or tracking tool.
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Curious to try my resources? Start here.
This little set of ‘test’ themed resources is a gentle way to try out how I teach spelling, morphology and vocabulary, without committing to full price.
Each one is 75% off for a limited time and works well as a standalone activity or as a taster before diving into the other packs.
Ideal for: home educators, 11+ candidates and anyone wanting a low cost starting point.
This downloadable pack explores the root ‘test’ (from Latin testari, meaning to witness or affirm). It includes a clear set of printable word cards designed for spelling, reading, and vocabulary practice – with a focus on how words are built.
All words in this set contain the root ‘test’ (e.g. attest, protestation, testimony, untestable), and are organised for ease of printing. These cards are not flashcards in the traditional sense – they’re designed to be used within play-based, sensory-rich tasks. Check out a scroll-through of the resource.
Included in the pack:
✅ 36 word cards featuring the root ‘test’
✅ A simple tracker to monitor blending and reading fluency
✅ 40+ activity suggestions using tactile, oral, visual, and movement-based approaches
Examples include:
• Writing with window pens or tracing in salt
• Playing Snakes and Ladders with a word per turn
• Echo reading, silly sentences, and morpheme matching
• Body spelling, hopscotch games, and torchlight hunts
These activities are especially supportive for learners who benefit from movement, repetition, and meaning-driven reading. The tracking sheet allows you to note when a word can be blended or read automatically – helpful for both planning and celebrating progress.
Decode big words like ‘testament’ and ‘protester’ — morpheme by morpheme.
This downloadable literacy pack helps children explore the morpheme ‘test’ (meaning to witness or to examine), using a Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) approach. Through colour-coded cards, clear explanations, and hands-on activities, learners discover how complex words are built — and what they really mean.
Inside the pack:
A complete set of morpheme cards (in both colour-coded and neutral green versions)
A parent guide that explains word parts clearly — including what a linking vowel is and when to drop the ‘e’
A progress tracking table for blending and reading
10+ multi-sensory word-building games and puzzles
Examples of real ‘test’ word families (e.g. testify, protest, testimony, untested, countertestimony)
Check out a scroll-through video of the resource.
Activities include:
Missing morpheme puzzles
Snap! word family edition
Build-your-own definition games
Word wall creation
Card sorting and classification
Designed by a qualified dyslexia and literacy specialist, this pack supports:
Home educators
Learners who thrive on pattern and logic
Spelling confidence through morphology
Older learners revisiting tricky words with purpose
📎 Part of the How Words Workcollection | ✏️ 75% Off | 🎞️ Scroll-through video included
This sample resource introdu ces learners to vocabulary built from the Latin root “testari”, meaning to bear witness. It’s part of my wider How Words Work: Root Study & Vocabulary collection — a series of tools for building spelling confidence and deeper word understanding.
This pack includes structured grids for exploring words like testify, protest, attest, and testimonial, using:
Clear definitions
Synonyms
Sentence prompts
Etymology (word origins)
The word contest is fully modelled as an example, and suggested answers are provided at the end to support independent learning. Illustrating the words is encouraged, particularly for visual memory or neurodivergent learners.
This sample is ideal for:
🟊 Home educators exploring root-based learning
🟊 Children preparing for 11+ exams
🟊 Learners who benefit from structured vocabulary work
🟊 Anyone curious about how words connect
🎞️ A scroll-through video shows the full resource before purchase
💸 Download it for 75% off as part of the test word collection
📄 Pairs well with my Test spelling sheets and word cards
A ready-to-use set of spelling and decoding grids exploring the root test (to bear witness or show evidence).
From test and attest to testimony, protest, and intestacy, this pack offers structured practice with over 30 derived words — all carefully segmented for reading, spelling, and meaning.
Each sheet supports multi-sensory learning, encouraging children to:
▪️ Explore the sounds
▪️ Create the word
▪️ Read, Spell, and Use it in a sentence
Also includes a page of hands-on activity ideas — from tracing and air-writing to chalk play and morpheme sorting.
Perfect for learners exploring morphemes, building vocabulary, or strengthening reading and spelling fluency.
🟩 You’ll get:
• Three printable spelling grids
• Word lists split by morpheme
• Sentence-writing prompts
• Multi-sensory activity suggestions
• Colour-coded versions to support visual memory
Check out the resource on this video.
Designed for home learning or 1:1 support.
Pairs well with the matching “test” jigsaw word cards.