Digraphs: Two Letters, One Sound!

English Language Arts Grades Pre-K 3:59 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson introduces Pre-K students to digraphs – two letters that make one sound. We'll use a fun song and interactive activities to learn about 'sh', 'th', 'ch', 'ph', and 'wh'.

Video Resource

Digraphs | Phonics Song for Children | Phonemic Awareness | Jack Hartmann

Jack Hartmann Kids Music Channel

Duration: 3:59
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Digraphs are two letters that make one sound.
  • Different letter combinations create different sounds.
  • Digraphs can be found at the beginning of words.

Learning Objectives

  • Students will be able to identify the digraphs 'sh', 'th', 'ch', 'ph', and 'wh'.
  • Students will be able to recognize words that begin with the digraphs 'sh', 'th', 'ch', 'ph', and 'wh'.
  • Students will be able to produce the sound of the digraphs 'sh', 'th', 'ch', 'ph', and 'wh'.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Greet students and introduce the topic of digraphs. Explain that digraphs are special because two letters work together to make one sound. Ask students if they have ever heard of digraphs before.
  • Watch the Video (5 mins)
    Play the 'Digraphs | Phonics Song for Children | Phonemic Awareness | Jack Hartmann' video. Encourage students to sing along and clap to the beat.
  • Digraph Exploration (10 mins)
    After watching the video, focus on each digraph individually. Write the digraph on the board (e.g., 'sh'). Say the sound the digraph makes (/sh/). Ask students to repeat the sound. Show pictures of objects that start with that digraph (e.g., shark, shoe, ship). Repeat for 'th', 'ch', 'ph', and 'wh'.
  • Digraph Word Game (5 mins)
    Play a simple game. Say a word, and have students clap if the word starts with one of the digraphs learned. For example: 'Chair' (clap), 'Dog' (no clap), 'Thumb' (clap), 'Phone' (clap).
  • Digraph Worksheet (5 mins)
    Provide a simple worksheet with pictures of objects. Have students circle the pictures that start with a specific digraph (e.g., Circle all the pictures that start with 'sh').
  • Wrap-up (5 mins)
    Review the digraphs learned and their sounds. Sing the digraph song again. Praise students for their participation.

Interactive Exercises

  • Sound It Out!
    Write a digraph on the board. Have the children practice making the sound the digraph makes. Go around the room and have individual children share what the digraph sounds like.
  • Draw a Digraph Word
    Give each child a piece of paper. Have each child write a digraph word on the paper and then draw a picture of the word.

Discussion Questions

  • What is a digraph?
  • Can you name some words that start with 'sh'?
  • What sound does 'th' make?

Skills Developed

  • Phonemic Awareness
  • Letter Recognition
  • Vocabulary Development
  • Active Listening
  • Following Directions

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which two letters make the /sh/ sound?

Correct Answer: SH

Question 2:

Which of these words starts with /th/ sound?

Correct Answer: Thumb

Question 3:

What sound does CH make?

Correct Answer: /ch/

Question 4:

Which letters make the /ph/ sound?

Correct Answer: PH

Question 5:

A whale starts with which sound?

Correct Answer: /wh/

Question 6:

Shake starts with what two letters?

Correct Answer: SH

Question 7:

Thirty starts with what two letters?

Correct Answer: TH

Question 8:

Cheese starts with what two letters?

Correct Answer: CH

Question 9:

Phone starts with what two letters?

Correct Answer: PH

Question 10:

Which of these words starts with a digraph?

Correct Answer: Shark

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

Two letters that make one sound are called a _______.

Correct Answer: digraph

Question 2:

The letters S and H together make the _____ sound.

Correct Answer: sh

Question 3:

You can hear the /th/ sound in the word _______.

Correct Answer: thumb

Question 4:

C and H together make the _____ sound.

Correct Answer: ch

Question 5:

You can hear the /ph/ sound in the word ______.

Correct Answer: phone

Question 6:

W and H together make the _____ sound.

Correct Answer: wh

Question 7:

______ is a word that starts with the /ch/ sound.

Correct Answer: chair

Question 8:

The word ____ starts with the /sh/ sound.

Correct Answer: shark

Question 9:

Shake, shine and shark all have the ___ digraph.

Correct Answer: sh

Question 10:

The digraph wh can be heard in the word _____.

Correct Answer: whale

Educational Standards

PK.2.PWS.3:Students will produce some sounds represented by letters. PK.2.PA.4:Students will isolate the common initial sound when given a set of alliterative spoken words (e.g., the puppy pounces). PK.4.R.3:Students will begin to acquire new vocabulary and relate new words to prior knowledge. PK.2.F.2:Students will chorally recite familiar texts (e.g., rhymes, songs, poetry, etc.). PK.1.L.1:Students will actively listen using agreed-upon rules with prompting.

Teaching Materials

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