Sight word the worksheets

What is on the worksheet

1. Read it. The word large, to say aloud three times and check off.
2. Trace it. Dotted “the” on color-coded three-line handwriting paper, with a start dot.
3. Rainbow write. Write it once each in red, blue and green.
4. Write it. One model, then space to write it independently.
5. Find it. A 16-box grid: color every box that says “the”, among words that look similar.
6. Spell it. The word with one letter missing, three times, a different letter each time.
7. Read and write it in sentences. Three picture sentences to read and circle the word, three to finish by writing it.
8. Answer key. The completed grid and sentences, plus the teaching tip below.

Every page has an “I can” goal, a three-star “How did I do?” self-check and a QR code back to this page.

Teaching “the”

"The" does not follow the usual rules: the e does not make its short sound. Before a consonant sound it is usually said /thuh/ (the cat), before a vowel sound /thee/ (the apple). Teach it as a whole word, then have children point to it on every page of a book they are reading.

Watch for: Reading it as "tee-hee" by sounding out each letter. Model it as one quick word and move on.

Sentences on the worksheet

All six use simple words a beginning reader can decode, so the sight word is the only new thing on the line.

How to use it

1. Say the word and use it in a sentence before the sheet comes out.
2. Do page 1 together: read, trace, then write without the model.
3. Let the child do page 2 alone, then read the sentences back to you.
4. Come back to the word over the next few days: a quick look and read is enough.

Common questions