theme
PronouncedTHEEM
nounThe main subject or idea of a story, book, or piece of art.
nounA tune or melody that you hear over and over in a piece of music.
nounA song or piece of music that plays at the start of a film or TV show.
nounA set of colors and shapes that change how a computer program or app looks.
Syllables
1 syllable
Letters
Phonics breakdown
Phonics Rule: TH Digraph (Unvoiced)
Sound“th”·/θ/
TH can make a soft sound “th”, like in 'think' and 'bath'. Just air, no buzz!
The unvoiced TH “th” is the quiet, breathy version. Your throat doesn't vibrate. Stick your tongue between your teeth and blow air.
Tip
Unvoiced TH is quiet — think with three teeth!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with E (Magic E)
Sound“ee”·/iː/
In the e-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the first E say its name “ee” — like in 'these' and 'complete'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern e-consonant-e (like 'these'), the final E is silent but it makes the first E say its long sound “ee”. This is the least common of the Magic-E patterns. Examples: these, theme, scene, complete, gene, eve.
Tip
Magic E makes E say its name — these, theme, complete!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Letter M
Sound“m”·/m/
The letter M makes the /m/ sound, like in 'map', 'mud', and 'mop'. Both lips press together with voice through the nose.
M is a voiced bilabial nasal — both lips press together while the voice hums through the nose. Double M (mm) makes the same /m/ sound.
Tip
M hums like mmm — press your lips and hum!
Examples
Phonics Rule: Silent E with E (Magic E)
Sound“ee”·/iː/
In the e-consonant-e pattern, the E at the end is silent and makes the first E say its name “ee” — like in 'these' and 'complete'. Teachers often call this the Magic E.
In the pattern e-consonant-e (like 'these'), the final E is silent but it makes the first E say its long sound “ee”. This is the least common of the Magic-E patterns. Examples: these, theme, scene, complete, gene, eve.
Tip
Magic E makes E say its name — these, theme, complete!
Examples
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