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EnglishPhonics & Word ReadingAges 4–7

Consonant Digraphs

Read and spell words containing consonant digraphs and less common consonant spellings (ch, sh, th, ck, tch, ng, ph, wh, k for /k/)

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Teaching Table · Reviewed guide

Set out your lesson

“Sometimes two letters work together as one sound. That pair is a consonant digraph. sh says /sh/ in shop, ch says /ch/ in chip, th says /th/ in that, and ck says /k/ at the end of duck.”

Bring to the table

  • Ready digraph cards: sh, ch, th, ck
  • Ready word cards: shop, chip, that, duck
  • Paper and marker for one spelling try
Full guide and materials
  • Ready digraph cards: sh, ch, th, ck
  • Ready word cards: shop, chip, that, duck
  • Paper and marker for one spelling try
  1. Step 1. Before the child joins, prepare the four digraph cards and four word cards listed in materials. Do not invent extra words mid-lesson.
  2. Step 2. Show sh and say /sh/. Match it under shop and read shop together while pointing to sh.
  3. Step 3. Repeat with ch → chip, th → that, and ck → duck. For each word, ask, “Which two letters make one sound?”
  4. Step 4. Mix the word cards. Have your child pick one, point to the digraph, say its sound, and read the whole word.
  5. Step 5. Choose one target, such as duck. Hide the word card and have your child spell it with the ck digraph, then check against the card.
  6. Quick check. Show shop, chip, that, or duck. Success means your child points to the digraph, says its one sound, and reads the whole word. Then they spell one of those four words with the correct digraph.

Worked example. In shop, sh is the digraph and says /sh/. The whole word is shop. In duck, ck is the ending digraph and says /k/.

Optional challenge. Add two ready extra cards only: ring and photo. Read them and name the digraph sound—ng says /ng/ in ring, ph says /f/ in photo—without leaving the supplied set.

What to notice. Save a parent note listing the words read and the digraph sounds named, plus one spelled word such as duck.

Compare teaching approaches

Teaching approaches

Gakuva’s recommended starting approach is selected. You can still compare every option.

1 approach

Selected Default Gakuva

Sometimes two letters work together as one sound. That pair is a consonant digraph. sh says /sh/ in shop, ch says /ch/ in chip, th says /th/ in that, and ck says /k/ at the end of duck.

Spend about 10–15 minutes matching supplied digraph cards to supplied words, reading each word, and spelling one of them.

Family records and proof options

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Learning resources

Reviewed external links that reinforce this concept. They do not replace Gakuva’s teaching approach.

Roy the Zebra · Practice link — not the full lesson

Spell Consonant Digraphs · ch

Practice reading/spelling words with the consonant digraph ch. Supplemental for one digraph family; follow with sh/th/ck words offline for broader coverage.

Free · no login · no ads observed

Review and open practice
Before you open

Save a screenshot of correct ch words and a parent note that the learner identified ch as one sound, not two.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Open practice (new tab)
Source, access and review notes

Practice reading/spelling words with the consonant digraph ch. Supplemental for one digraph family; follow with sh/th/ck words offline for broader coverage.

Save a screenshot of correct ch words and a parent note that the learner identified ch as one sound, not two.

Free · no login · no ads observed

Unknown — link only

Phonics Bloom · Practice link — not the full lesson

Odd and Bob · Phase 2

Supplemental blending of Phase 2 words, including common consonant spellings, then sort real vs made-up words.

Free activity · no login · ads

Review and open practice
Before you open

Save a result screenshot or parent tally of correct blends, noting any digraph words practiced.

Opening this link does not save learning or assess mastery.

Open practice (new tab)
Source, access and review notes

Supplemental blending of Phase 2 words, including common consonant spellings, then sort real vs made-up words.

Save a result screenshot or parent tally of correct blends, noting any digraph words practiced.

Free activity · no login · ads

Unknown — link only

Check understanding

  • Read words with consonant digraphs (e.g. 'shop', 'chip', 'that')
  • Identify the sound made by ph (/f/) and wh (/w/) in words
  • Spell words ending in -ck (e.g. 'duck') and -tch (e.g. 'match')
“When your child sees words like 'shop', 'chip', 'ring', or 'photo', can they spot that two letters together make one sound and read the whole word correctly?”

Curriculum record

Type
Procedural
Subject
English
Domain
Phonics & Word Reading
Age range
Ages 4–7

Standards

ccss-ela:RF.1.3.auk-nc-2013:Eng_App1_Y1_02uk-nc-2013:Eng_App1_Y1_05uk-nc-2013:Eng_App1_Y1_10uk-nc-2013:Eng_App1_Y1_11uk-nc-2013:Eng_App1_Y1_51uk-nc-2013:Eng_App1_Y1_52