Digraphs Teaching Resources
Explore digraph worksheets, learning games and more phonics teaching resources created by teachers for teachers like you!
This collection of printable and digital digraph teacher resources is aligned with the Australian English curriculum and included everything you need to build your lesson plans. You'll find easily editable options, created by our teacher team so that you can easily differentiate instruction.
Are you new to teaching early literacy? Or are you looking for a refresher? Read on for a digraphs primer from our teacher team!
What Is a Digraph?
If you're teaching phonological awareness or reading, you'll need to know! A digraph is a building block of literacy for any young reader.
But how do you teach digraphs in phonics? And what is a consonant digraph?
Digraph Definition
To really answer the question 'what is a digraph,' it's worth going back to the word origin.The word digraph dates back to the 1700s, and it's built from the roots di- (meaning twice) and -graph (meaning something written).
By definition, a digraph is the term used to describe two consecutive letters that work together to make one sound.
If you want to get technical, digraphs are a kind of grapheme — a word that refers to any unit (such as a letter or group of letters) in a writing system. In this case, graphemes are letters or groups of letters in English.
Making sense? We've got one more important phonics term for you! The English language is comprised of about 44 phonemes (the word for the individual speech sounds that make up words). Phonemes can be written in more than 200 letter combinations known as — you guessed it — graphemes and digraphs!
What Are the Most Common Digraphs in the English Language?
Digraphs are often taught in order, starting with those most commonly appearing in English words. Here are some common digraph examples students will encounter:
- ch (as in chin),
- ch (as in school),
- ng (as in sing),
- ph (as in phone),
- sh (as in ship),
- th (as is think),
- wh (as is wheel)
What Is the Difference Between a Digraph and a Blend?
Have you heard the terms digraph and blend thrown around? They seem like they'd be the same thing, but don't be deceived!
While they look the same, there is a major difference between a digraph and a blend. A digraph is defined as two letters that make a single sound. The blend is a combination of letters whose sounds are linked together, but not combined when forming a word. The blend stands apart because its letters still make two distinct sounds.
For example, the 'sl' combination in 'sleep' is a blend, rather than a digraph. That is because you still pronounce the /s/ and /l/ sounds when pronouncing the word.
Another difference between a digraph and a blend is that a digraph can be made up of two consonants or two vowels, while blends are only made up of consonants.
Teaching About Digraphs — Why It's Important
The teaching of phonic digraphs helps students to understand that letter combinations can represent more than one sound and that a syllable must contain a vowel sound.
Teaching students about phonic digraphs in your primaryclassroom will also help them to recognise and associate sounds of the letters of the alphabet, which will help them to improve their reading skills and efficiency.
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Long Vowel O Teams Interactive Activity
Practise identifying the different graphemes that spell the long /o/ sound with this fun boat-themed interactive activity.
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Consonant Digraph CH Interactive Activity
Engage students in practising their learning around the consonant digraph of ‘ch’ with this fun beach-themed interactive activity.
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Consonant Digraph CK Interactive Activity
Engage students in practising their learning around the consonant digraph of ‘ck’ with this fun rock climbing-themed interactive activity.
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Vowel Digraph Dominoes - OA, OW, and OE
Decode words with oa, ow, and oe vowel team conventions for representing long vowel sounds using this set of 28 dominoes.
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Consonant Digraphs Worksheet Pack
Practise writing and enhancing knowledge of consonant digraphs with this worksheet pack.
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Vowel Digraph Cover Up Game
Practise vowel teams with your students with this set of three fun partner cover up games.
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Vowel Team Digraph Poster Set
Display this poster set in your classroom when teaching children about different vowel team digraphs.
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Diphthong Fluency Charts
Practise reading out these word lists that contain different diphthongs with these fluency charts
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Diphthongs Sound Wall Cards
Use these diphthong cards as visuals on a sound wall or as flashcards during your phonics lessons.
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Vowel Digraph Dominoes - EE, EA, and EY
Decode words with ee, ea, and ey vowel digraph conventions for representing long vowel sounds using this set of 26 dominoes.
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Sh Digraph Words With Images
Learn words that contain the 'sh' digraph with these word and picture flashcards.
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OA Vowel Digraph Bingo Game
Practise decoding words with OA vowel team conventions for representing long vowel sounds with this BINGO game for up to 18 players.
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Th Word List and Flash Cards
Practice reading and spelling words with the Digraph TH with a list of 50 words and accompanying illustrated flash cards.
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Long OO Words - Word Search
Explore words containing some of the most common ‘long oo’ graphemes with this set of differentiated word searches.
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Sounds of 'OO' - Cut and Paste Worksheet
Sort words according to whether they contain a long or short ‘oo’ sound with this cut-and-paste worksheet.
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Word Study List - Long O Graphemes
Introduce and explore words containing graphemes that make the ‘long o’ sound with this extensive list of words.
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Word Study List - Long A Graphemes
Introduce and explore words containing graphemes that make the ‘long a’ sound with this extensive list of words.
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Long A Graphemes - SCOOT! Task Cards
Explore words containing graphemes that make the ‘long a’ sound with this active classroom game that will get your students moving!
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R-Controlled Vowels Poster Pack
Supplement your phonics curriculum with an r-controlled vowel poster display.
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Consonant Digraph Phonics Journal
Help students remember and record words and examples of different consonant digraphs during your phonics lessons.
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Digraph Search and Find Worksheet Pack
Search for images that contain particular consonant digraphs with this worksheet pack.
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IE and I_E Vowel Team Lesson Resource Pack
Introduce students to IE and I_E vowel digraphs with this set of teaching slides and mini activity book.
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Vowel Teams Sorting Activity (EE, EA and EY)
Decode words with the EE, EA and EY vowel teams using 18 picture cards with sorting mats.
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Long OO Graphemes - SCOOT! Task Cards
Explore words containing graphemes that make the ‘long oo’ sound with this active classroom game that will get your students moving!
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Long I Graphemes - SCOOT! Task Cards
Explore words containing graphemes that make the ‘long i’ sound with this active classroom game that will get your students moving!
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W, WH, or U? Phoneme Interactive Game
Decide when to use w, wh, or u to spell the /w/ sound with an engaging Interactive Phonics Game!
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Consonant Digraph TH Interactive Activity
Engage students in practising their learning around the consonant digraph of ‘th’ with this fun sloth-themed interactive activity.
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Consonant Digraph WH Interactive Activity
Engage students in practising their learning around the consonant digraph of ‘wh’ with this ocean-themed interactive activity.
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Beginning Consonant Digraphs Sorting Activity
Explore words that contain an initial consonant digraph with a set of 24 picture sorting cards.
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EA Vowel Digraph Bingo Game
Practise decoding words that include the EA long /e/ vowel team sound with this BINGO game for up to 20 players.
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Long U Words - Word Search
Explore words containing some of the most common ‘long u’ graphemes with this set of differentiated word searches.
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Word Study List - Long I Graphemes
Introduce and explore words containing graphemes that make the ‘long i’ sound with this extensive list of words.