Hem

Example Sentences with Hem

• Sew the hem.
• The dress has a long hem.
• Say "hem" slowly, then say it as one word.

How to Spell “hem”

Children most often write this word as heam, ehm, hemm, heem. Those errors are useful — each one points to a specific sound the child has not yet connected to a letter.

1. Start with the picture: <strong>hem</strong> begins with the /h/ sound, so begin with "h".
2. Say the word slowly three times, then write one sound per letter: <strong>h - e - m</strong>.
3. The "e" in <strong>hem</strong> says /ɛ/ with the jaw slightly open, like <em>bed</em>.
4. Blend the last two sounds smoothly: <strong>he</strong> + <strong>m</strong> = <strong>hem</strong>.

Phonics Tip for Hem

Read "hem" as three separate sounds first: /h/ - /e/ - /m/. Blend them slowly, then speed up until they become one word.

Fun Facts About Hem

Every letter in <strong>hem</strong> carries one sound: h says /h/, e says /e/, m says /m/. That is what makes it fully decodable — a child who knows the three sounds can read <strong>hem</strong> on the first try, with no guessing from the picture. It belongs to the -em family, which has 0 other words in it: .

Where to Practise Hem

• All short e CVC words — 31 words
• The -em word family
• CVC flash cards — picture cards with audio
• CVC multiple choice quiz
• CVC sentences — read the word in context
• CVC worksheets