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:

  1. sh

  2. ch

  3. th

  4. 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!

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Blends vs. Digraphs: What’s the Difference?

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What Are CVC Words? A Beginner's Guide With Free Printables