The SH Sound

Learning sh words (such as “ship,” “shoe,” “fish,” etc.) can be exciting and educational when you incorporate different strategies. Here’s a guide on how to teach and learn sh words effectively:

1. Introduce the “Sh” Sound
   Phonemic Awareness: Start by explaining the “sh” sound, which is a digraph (two letters that make one sound). The sh sound is a soft, hissing sound, like when you tell someone to “shh."
   Say the sh sound slowly: /ʃ/ (like “shhh”).
   Encourage students to repeat the sound and say words that begin with sh (like “ship” and “shoe”).

2. Pronunciation Practice: Have students practice saying these words aloud. Emphasize the sh sound at the start of each word.

The following diagram shows examples of sh words. Scroll down the page for more examples and pronunciations of the sh sound in words that begin and end with the sh digraph.

3. Writing Practice
   Sentence Writing: Have students write their own sentences or short stories using sh words. For example, “The shark swims in the sea."
   Word Tracing: For younger students, give them worksheets where they trace sh words to practice writing.

Practice with the following consonant digraph worksheets.

Printable Worksheets (Consonant Digraphs)
Learning "ch"	Learning "sh"
Learning "th"	Learning "qu"
Learning "ng"

4. Songs and Rhymes
   Sh Songs: Use songs or create simple rhymes that emphasize the sh sound.

Learn about the digraph “sh”
A digraph is when two letter sounds or phonemes combine to make one sound or phoneme.

When the /s/ sound combines with the /h/ sound they create the unique sound of /sh/. Learn about the digraph sh as you listen to the sh sound in words that begin and end with the sh digraph.

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Digraph /sh/ Sound
Learn the pronunciation and sound of consonant digraph - sh. Learn words that contain the digraph.

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Phonics Video: The SH Sound
Consonant digraphs (also called letter digraphs) are 2 letters that make a new sound when they are put together.

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Meet the Phonics Digraphs - sh
Two letters that come together to form a single sound are taught in school as “letter digraphs”

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Spelling Tip: ‘sh’ sound

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Phonics sh
Phonics reading book for children learning the ‘sh’ sound.
Mum takes us shopping.

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5. Learn other Consonant Digraphs.

Consonant Digraphs
CH Sound	SH Sound	Soft TH
Hard TH	WH Sound	PH Sound
GH Sound	NG Sound	Consonant Digraphs

Try the free Mathway calculator and problem solver below to practice various math topics. Try the given examples, or type in your own problem and check your answer with the step-by-step explanations.

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