Looking for a simple activity to help your students learn the sounds of consonant digraphs? Try this one!
(This post contains affiliate links.)
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: 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.
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. 😉
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.
Wait! Before you go, download these too!
© 2016 – 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Amanda says
June 20, 2016 at 2:36 amThank you for sharing these easy to use resources. They will be handy for my Kindergarten students to use independently.
Anna Geiger says
June 26, 2016 at 3:32 pmYou’re very welcome, Amanda!
Donald Knight says
June 21, 2016 at 2:01 amI am somewhat challenged…what is the procedure for the digraph games?
Anna Geiger says
June 26, 2016 at 3:32 pmJust 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.
Lyn says
June 28, 2016 at 8:55 pmAnna, these look great. thanks for sharing
Lyn
Anna Geiger says
July 1, 2016 at 9:03 pmThank you, Lyn!
Kimberly says
July 14, 2016 at 10:53 pmHi, I am unable to download this, I am also unable to click on the help button.
Any ideas what I could do?
Anna Geiger says
July 17, 2016 at 5:09 pmSorry 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/
Kelly says
September 29, 2016 at 12:51 pmThese 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 says
October 3, 2016 at 7:45 pmI hope you get a chance to use these, Kelly! 🙂
Elaine says
October 23, 2016 at 4:18 pmThank you for creating these fun and visual ways to learn digraphs
Anna Geiger says
October 25, 2016 at 10:36 amYou’re very welcome, Elaine!
Rachel says
November 25, 2016 at 4:41 amMany many thanks for these Anna. These are helpful and they’ve got me excited! Cant wait to start them with my son.
Anna Geiger says
November 26, 2016 at 9:05 amI’m so glad you can use these, Rachel!
Kate says
January 24, 2017 at 9:19 amWhat 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 says
January 24, 2017 at 4:32 pmThank you so much, Kate! I hope your learner enjoys these!
Rachel says
February 9, 2017 at 4:53 pmThank you these will be very useful.
Anna Geiger says
February 10, 2017 at 11:56 amI’m glad you can use them, Rachel!
Liza says
March 26, 2017 at 2:46 amThank you so much for your generosity! I love your stuff!!!!
Anna Geiger says
March 26, 2017 at 5:15 amYou’re welcome, Liza! 🙂
Nikhila Joseph says
June 14, 2017 at 10:44 pmThank 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 says
June 15, 2017 at 8:25 pmI’m so glad to hear these will work for your learners, Nikhila! 🙂
Sumbal says
August 14, 2017 at 12:35 amThe work you prepare is marvellous. It will be so useful. Thankyou and God bless u.
Anna G says
September 4, 2017 at 9:34 amYou’re very welcome, Sumbal! Thank you for the kind words!
Naeemah says
September 30, 2017 at 8:28 pmThank you for all you do!! These activities fit perfectly into my classroom!
Anna G says
October 7, 2017 at 6:52 pmYou’re very welcome, Naeemah! Thank you so much for the kind words!
Nancy Winters says
February 24, 2018 at 4:38 pmThank 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 says
March 1, 2018 at 8:38 pmHi Nancy! Those are in the subscriber library. 🙂
Tazeen says
March 14, 2018 at 2:21 amThanks Anna, its very helpful… I am loving it…..
Anna G says
March 15, 2018 at 6:51 pmYou’re welcome, Tazeen!
Melissa Daenzer says
April 26, 2018 at 1:50 amI 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 says
April 28, 2018 at 5:10 pmYou’re very welcome, Melissa!
Jameelah says
September 25, 2018 at 11:04 amYou always have such great resources!!!!
Anna G says
October 1, 2018 at 4:19 pmThank you, Jameelah!