Looking for a simple activity to help your students learn the sounds of consonant digraphs? Try this one!
My Four knows his letter sounds very well, thanks to many months of hands-on alphabet activities. While he’s not quite ready to sound out words, there’s a lot of learning we can do in the meantime.
Up next: hearing and identifying consonant digraphs!
For this activity we focused on the common beginning digraphs: sh, ch, th, and wh.
Before we tackled digraphs, I pulled out some familiar letter sound pages. I thought it would be good to start with something my Four knows well: beginning vowels and consonants.
First he named the main picture, isolated the beginning sound, and found pictures whose names began the same.
“Umbrella. Uh, uh, umbrella.”
He covered the correct pictures with poker chips.
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He did a few more pages, including this one for letter w.
Next, I pulled out our new digraph pages. I showed him that in this case, two letters make one sound. We said the word “shark” together and said the sound of sh slowly. “Shhhhh.”
My Four looked up. “Mommy! That’s the sound you make when you tell me to be quiet!”
This is our child who happens to have just one volume (LOUD), so he hears that a lot. 😉
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!
Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you. Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!
Next, he found pictures that began with /ch/ as in chick. He did a great job!
Next up was /wh/ as in whale.
And /th/ as in thumb.
Not pictured are the kn and ph mats. I included them in case you’d like them, but so few words begin with those sounds that I don’t think it’s necessary to practice them at this stage of the game – unless you want to.
To play:
- Print the free download at the end of this post on sturdy cardstock. (I like this brand.)
- Cut down the center of each page.
- Provide poker chips or other manipulatives.
- Have your child name the featured picture at the bottom and cover the other pictures whose names begin the same. The exception is the ph mat, where you’ll find the sound in the middle of words, too.
YOU’LL LOVE THIS PRACTICAL BOOK!
Looking for an easy-to-read guide to help you reach all readers? If you teach kindergarten through third grade, this is the book for you. Get practical ideas and lesson plan templates that you can implement tomorrow!
Get your free digraph say & cover game!
Free Reading Printables for Pre-K-3rd Grade
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Norah
Thank you Anna for sharing this resources they are really helping me in teaching my kids ???
Annie
Thank you for sharing these resources. Awesome!
Mydhili Talluri
Amazing activities and games..????
Jameelah
You always have such great resources!!!!
Anna G
Thank you, Jameelah!
Melissa Daenzer
I just wanted to say many thanks for your great free resources! I have an income daycare ages 3-6! The K loves all the learning tools I get from your list! These are awesome and fun!
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Melissa!
Tazeen
Thanks Anna, its very helpful… I am loving it…..
Anna G
You’re welcome, Tazeen!
Nancy Winters
Thank You Anna for sharing these wonderful resources with us! My kids loves these and keep asking me if i have any more with different digraphs 🙂
Sincerely, Nancy
Anna G
Hi Nancy! Those are in the subscriber library. 🙂
Naeemah
Thank you for all you do!! These activities fit perfectly into my classroom!
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Naeemah! Thank you so much for the kind words!
Sumbal
The work you prepare is marvellous. It will be so useful. Thankyou and God bless u.
Anna G
You’re very welcome, Sumbal! Thank you for the kind words!
Nikhila Joseph
Thank you so much!!!! These are awesome!!! I work at a therapy center that’s stingy with the materials they provide for Special Ed and these will work great for my kids!!! God bless.
Anna Geiger
I’m so glad to hear these will work for your learners, Nikhila! 🙂
Liza
Thank you so much for your generosity! I love your stuff!!!!
Anna Geiger
You’re welcome, Liza! 🙂
Rachel
Thank you these will be very useful.
Anna Geiger
I’m glad you can use them, Rachel!
Kate
What lovely, colourful and well thought out resources. I am working with an 8-9 year old who is struggling to read. These will really help make the sessions fun. Thank you so much for sharing.
Kate
Anna Geiger
Thank you so much, Kate! I hope your learner enjoys these!
Rachel
Many many thanks for these Anna. These are helpful and they’ve got me excited! Cant wait to start them with my son.
Anna Geiger
I’m so glad you can use these, Rachel!
Elaine
Thank you for creating these fun and visual ways to learn digraphs
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Elaine!
Kelly
These are perfect for my son, looking forward to playing with him. I don’t know how you have the time to make these learning games, but thanks!
Anna Geiger
I hope you get a chance to use these, Kelly! 🙂
Kimberly
Hi, I am unable to download this, I am also unable to click on the help button.
Any ideas what I could do?
Anna Geiger
Sorry about that, Kimberly! I forgot to link the help button to my help page. It’s here: https://www.themeasuredmom.com/how-to-download-free-files/
Lyn
Anna, these look great. thanks for sharing
Lyn
Anna Geiger
Thank you, Lyn!
Donald Knight
I am somewhat challenged…what is the procedure for the digraph games?
Anna Geiger
Just print the mats and give your child counters to cover the pictures that start with the digraph at the bottom of each mat. We like to use poker chips because they fit perfectly.
Amanda
Thank you for sharing these easy to use resources. They will be handy for my Kindergarten students to use independently.
Anna Geiger
You’re very welcome, Amanda!