Consonant Digraph

What is a Consonant Digraph?

• A digraph is a fancy word for two letters that come together to make one single sound.
• In a consonant digraph, two consonants join forces to create a brand-new sound that is different from the sounds the letters make on their own.
• Think of it like a "Letter Team"—they work together to speak with one voice.

The Most Common Digraph "Teams" Here are the most popular consonant digraphs you will see in words: 1. The Quiet Team: SH

• The Sound: Like you are telling someone to be quiet (shhh).
• Examples: Ship, Shell, Fish, Shoe.

2. The Choo-Choo Team: CH

• The Sound: Like a train engine (ch-ch-ch).
• Examples: Chip, Chair, Lunch, Chest.

3. The Thirsty/Thinker Team: TH

• The Sound: Put your tongue between your teeth and blow.
• Examples: Thumb, Think, Math, Path.

4. The Friendly Team: PH

• The Sound: It makes the exact same sound as the letter F.
• Examples: Phone, Graph, Dolphin, Alphabet.

5. The Question Team: WH

• The Sound: A soft breath of air (like blowing out a candle).
• Examples: Whale, Wheel, White, When.

How to Practice Digraphs

1. Spot the Team: Look at a page in a book and circle every time you see two consonants sitting together (like 'ch' or 'th').
2. Sound it Out: Practice making the single sound instead of two separate sounds.
3. The Mirror Test: Watch your mouth in a mirror when you say "THumb." Notice how your tongue has to move to make that special digraph sound!

Lesson Summary

• Digraph = 2 letters making 1 sound.
• Common digraphs include SH, CH, TH, PH, and WH.
• They are "letter teams" that work together.