Fun Ways To Teach Digraphs: ch, ck, wh

Consonant digraphs are two letters that work together to represent a single sound, like:

• ch in chain
• ck in kick
• wh in wheel

Some digraphs, like ch (and digraphs th and sh, which I talked about last week) can come at the beginning or the end of words. Others like ck are most often found at the end of words; and others like wh are typically initial sounds.

Activities to teach digraphs ch, ck, wh

Students benefit from regular and varied practice with digraphs. One way I like to do this is by choosing target words for each digraph and providing a number of activities for students to practice reading, writing, and using those words. Activities like:

• Cut and Match
  
• Draw the Words
• Draw and Match
• Un-Jumble the Words
• Choose the Correct Spelling
• Find the Words
• Word Hunt
• Word Triangles
• Finish the Sentence
• Jumbled Sentences

Draw the words

Draw the words is a great activity for a lot of kids, especially those who still struggle with writing or who thrive with visual representations. Read the words—whale, beach, sick. Then ask kids to draw it.

Extend this activity, by having kids write the words and then match up their pictures with the right words.

Jumbled sentences

Jumbled sentences is another easy activity. Just write a simple sentence for each target word. You can even have students help you with this to practice using your target words. Think three-word sentences like Pick a peach or Kick the ball. Write the sentences on the board for students to see as you create the sentences. Clear them away before the next part of the activity.

Later, write each sentence with the words in the wrong order and make a copy for each student (a pick peach or ball the kick). Have students cut the words apart and glue them onto a sheet of paper in the right order.

More ch, ck, and wh activity ideas

If you are a classroom teacher, learning specialist, substitute or relief teacher, home schooler, intervention specialist or parent looking to help teach, practice, or review digraphs, I’ve got you covered with downloadable digraph packs full of activities and games. Check these out:

• Digraph ch Activities
• Digraph ck Activities
• Digraph wh Activities

These digraph sets are perfect if you are after activities, games, and classroom resources for a particular digraph, like /ch/, /ck/, and /wh/.

I’ve also got you covered if you need activities and resources for a wide variety of digraphs.  The Ultimate Digraph Teaching Kit brings together more than 200 pages of resources ready to print and use, covering 10 common digraphs—ch, ck, wh, sh, th, ng, qu, a-e, ai, ay.

Learn more about The Ultimate Digraph Teaching Kit here.