Mastering Digraphs: sh, th, ch, wh – And How to Teach Them
🧩 The “Two Letters, One Sound” Challenge
If your students are confidently reading CVC words but get stuck when they see “sh” or “ch”, you’re not alone. Digraphs—two letters that make a single sound—are a big leap in early reading.
In this post, you’ll learn:
What digraphs are
When to introduce them
Easy, science-backed ways to teach each one
And best of all—download free printable digraph worksheets from BrainySheets.com
🔤 What Is a Digraph?
A digraph is a pair of letters that come together to make one new sound.
The most common consonant digraphs are:
sh as in ship
th as in thumb
ch as in chip
wh as in whale
🧠 Important: These are not blends. In blends (like st or br), both letters keep their own sound. In digraphs, the two letters create a single sound.
📅 When to Teach Digraphs
Digraphs are usually taught after students:
Can read and write CVC words
Know most consonant sounds
Understand blending and segmenting
This typically happens in mid to late kindergarten or early 1st grade.
Recommended teaching order:
sh
ch
th
wh
You can later introduce ending digraphs like ck, ng, and tch once the basics are solid.
🧠 How to Teach Digraphs Effectively
Here’s a step-by-step routine to introduce any digraph:
Step 1: Anchor the Sound With a Visual
Use a motion and picture (e.g., finger to lips for “sh”)
Show a card with the digraph and a picture (sh – ship)
Step 2: Say It, Stretch It
Model saying the sound in isolation: shhhhh
Have students echo you
Step 3: Word Building
Use letter tiles to build sh–i–p
Swap letters to make sh–o–p, sh–e–d
Step 4: Read a Decodable Story With the Target Digraph
Choose a text that only uses that digraph and previously taught skills
Pause to sound out tricky words
Step 5: Apply With Writing
Ask students to write 3–5 words using that digraph
Use picture prompts (e.g., write the word for a photo of a fish)
🔁 Extend the Learning With Repeated Reading
Once students decode digraph words successfully, build fluency with Timed Repeated Reading:
Have students read the same short story 3–4 times
Track words correct per minute (WCPM)
Use a graph to show progress—instant motivation!
