How do I teach this, that, these, those?

With pointing. This is for one thing close, that for one thing far, these for many close, those for many far. Practice around the room: this table, that door, these fingers, those windows. The grammar is in the arm.

Which do kids mix up most?

These and those, because both are plural and only distance separates them. Sentences with strong place clues (in my hand, across the field) give the answer away, which is why every practice item includes one.

1st grade this, that, these, and those

1st grade this, that, these, and those worksheets

This, that, these, and those are pointing words: this and these point to things right here, that and those across the room. First graders choose by asking two questions: is it one or many, and is it near or far?

Free printable PDF worksheet, aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h.

Each print is a different sheet with its own answer key. You don't need to sign up.

The kind of sentences you'll get

Circle the letter of the pointing word that fits the sentence.

horn over there is loud. That · Those · This
Answer: That
truck down the street is red. That · Those
chicks beside me are fuzzy. These · That

Every print pulls a new set of sentences at this level, so a make-up test or a second sibling gets a different mix.

What's on a 1st grade sheet

1st grade sheets draw from 60 sentences, 10 to a page. All 60 are on 2nd grade sheets too, along with 60 more. 2nd grade sheets print 8 to a page.

A few of the sentences:

That rainbow far away is fading.
These acorns in my hat are smooth.
These bugs in my jar are ants.

Choose the word. Circle the letter of the pointing word that fits the sentence. 10 questions per page.

Every version prints on US Letter or A4, with its answer key on the last page.

How to teach this

Physically point. This pencil in my hand; that clock on the wall; these crayons here; those chairs over there. The words are gestures written down, and 6-year-olds learn them fastest with an arm outstretched. Keep the distance clues loud in early practice: here, in my hand, over there.

Watch for: Two questions decide every case: how many, and how far. Answer both before choosing. Them is never a pointing word: it's those books, not them books.

Common questions about 1st grade this, that, these, and those

How do I teach this, that, these, those?: With pointing. This is for one thing close, that for one thing far, these for many close, those for many far. Practice around the room: this table, that door, these fingers, those windows. The grammar is in the arm.
Which do kids mix up most?: These and those, because both are plural and only distance separates them. Sentences with strong place clues (in my hand, across the field) give the answer away, which is why every practice item includes one.

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Aligned to Common Core L.1.1.h. Reviewed by the One more sheet team. Content version 241, updated August 2026.

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