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Word wall sound headers: sh, ch, th and more (free printable)

Big headers for the sounds that two letters make, such as sh, ch, th, wh, ck, ng and qu, four to a page, with a few starter words under each. Edit the list and print.

Printed on the sheet. Leave it empty to write by hand.
Colour
Word Wall Sounds, page 1shshipshopshellfishwishdishsheepshutchchinchipchopchatmuchsuchlunchcheckththisthatthenthemthinthickwithbathwhwhenwhatwhichwhywhitewheelwhalewhisper
Page 1 ·
Word Wall Sounds, page 2ckbackduckkicksockneckpickblackclockngringsinglongsongkingwingbanghungququickquitquietqueenquiltquackquizquote
Page 2 ·

To save a PDF, choose Print, then “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints.

About this sheet

Young readers learn early that letters make sounds, and then that some pairs of letters make a single sound. A word wall organized by sound, next to the alphabetical one, helps a child who is sounding out a word find another that works the same way. These cards have one sound each in very large type, with eight plain words beneath it to start the list. They go up next to the alphabet cards and grow as you teach each sound. Edit the sounds in the box to add your own, such as ar, or or igh, and the card draws with a blank line to write words on. They are meant to be cut apart and mounted, or used on a pocket chart.

Grades: Pre-K to 2. Best in: August, September, October.

How to use it

  1. Choose the sounds in the box, one per line. Sounds the sheet knows come with starter words; others print with writing lines.
  2. Print on card stock, cut apart along the borders and mount the cards where children can see them while they read and write.
  3. As you teach each sound, add words on sticky notes under the card, and ask children to read the list aloud with you.

Five ideas for class

  1. Introduce one sound a week and add three words from your reading each week, so the list always grows from texts the children have met.
  2. Play a sorting game with word cards on a pocket chart, and ask children to put each word under the sound they hear.
  3. Have children hunt for the sound in a book and add the words they find to the wall, with a sticky note and their initial.
  4. Use the same cards for spelling: say a word and ask a child to point to the card for the sound, then write it.
  5. Make a two-sound comparison, ch and sh for example, and ask children to say how their mouths move differently.

Related

Questions

What sounds are included?

Sh, ch, th, wh, ck, ng and qu come with starter words. Type any other sound, such as ar or oy, and the card prints with writing lines.

Is this a phonics program?

No. It is a wall display that supports whichever phonics program you use. The words are common words and do not follow any one scope and sequence.

How is it different from the alphabet cards?

The alphabet cards sort words by their first letter. These sort them by a sound that two letters make together, which is often what a child needs when sounding out.

How do I save it as a PDF?

Choose Print, then pick “Save as PDF” as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it is hidden. You can also save a sheet as a PNG image under the preview.

Can I print it in black and white?

Yes. Switch to Black and white beside the sheet: fills turn white and lines turn black, so it saves ink and photocopies cleanly.

Is what I type saved or sent anywhere?

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