Blends and Digraphs
The Spark
Concept
A blend is two consonants side by side where both sounds are heard (bl, cr, st). A digraph is two letters that make one new sound (sh = /sh/, ch = /ch/, th = /th/). Mastering these unlocks hundreds of new words for reading and writing.
Activity
Ask your child: 'Can you read the word SHOP? Let's try: sh makes /sh/, then o, then p — shop!' Say these mouth-feel comparisons: 's' alone versus 'sh' together — notice how the mouth changes?
Check
Write 5 words using blends and digraphs (e.g. ship, clap, this, stop, chop). Can your child decode them independently by blending each phoneme?
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set A)
Say each word. Circle the beginning sound.
ship
chin
thin
What Sound Does It Start With? (Set B)
Circle the digraph at the beginning of each word.
shed
chop
three
shop
Match Digraphs to Words (Set A)
Draw a line from each digraph to a word that starts with it.
Sort Digraph Words (Set A)
Sort each word by its beginning digraph.
Write Digraph Words (Set A)
Write a word that starts with each digraph.
sh- word: ______
ch- word: ______
th- word: ______
Complete the Word (Set A)
Circle the digraph that completes each word.
___ip (a type of boat)
___op (to cut)
___is (not that)
Match Digraphs to Words (Set B)
Draw a line from each digraph to a word.
Sound Boxes: Digraphs (Set A)
Write the sounds in each word. The digraph goes in ONE box.
[__][__][__] → ship
[__][__][__] → chop
[__][__][__] → thin
Sort Digraph Words (Set B)
Sort each word by its beginning digraph.
Which Word Starts With sh?
Circle the word that starts with sh.
Which starts with sh?
Which starts with sh?
Which starts with sh?
Match Words to Clues: Digraphs
Draw a line from each clue to the correct digraph word.
Draw and Write Digraph Words
Draw a picture for each digraph word. Write the word underneath.
Draw: ship
Draw: cheese
Complete the Word (Set B)
Circle the correct digraph.
___ell (something you find at the beach)
___ick (not thin)
___air (you sit on it)
___oe (you wear it on your foot)
Build Digraph Words (Set A)
Put the sounds in order to spell the word.
Tip: Digraphs — Two Letters, One Sound!
A digraph is when two letters team up to make ONE new sound. 'sh' makes /sh/ (like in ship). 'ch' makes /ch/ (like in chin). 'th' makes /th/ (like in this). Remember: you cannot hear the separate letters — they make a brand new sound together!
Write 3 words with sh: ______
Write 3 words with ch: ______
Sort: Digraph at the Start or End?
Some digraphs can appear at the END of a word too! Sort each word.
Ending Digraphs (Set A)
Circle the digraph at the END of each word.
fish
much
bath
wish
Write Words with Ending Digraphs
Write a word that ENDS with each digraph.
Ends with -sh: ______
Ends with -ch: ______
Ends with -th: ______
Match Words with Same Digraph
Draw a line to match words that share the same digraph.
Digraph Spark: Digraphs All Around!
Look around the room. Can you find or think of something that has a digraph (sh, ch, th) in its name? A shoe? A chair? Think of as many as you can!
Objects with digraphs: ___________________________
What Blend Does It Start With? (Set A)
Circle the blend at the beginning of each word.
blue
stop
crab
Sort Blend Words (Set A)
Sort each word by its beginning blend.
Match Blends to Words (Set A)
Draw a line from each blend to a word that starts with it.
Write Blend Words (Set A)
Write a word that starts with each blend.
bl- word: ______
cr- word: ______
st- word: ______
cl- word: ______
Complete the Word: Blends (Set A)
Circle the blend that completes each word.
___ue (a colour)
___op (do not go)
___ab (a sea creature)
___ap (hands together)
What Blend Does It Start With? (Set B)
Circle the beginning blend.
green
frog
brave
slide
Sort Blend Words (Set B)
Sort words by their beginning blend.
Match Blends to Words (Set B)
Draw a line to match each blend to a word.
Write Blend Words (Set B)
Write a word that starts with each blend.
br- word: ______
gr- word: ______
fr- word: ______
fl- word: ______
Tip: Blends vs Digraphs — What Is the Difference?
In a BLEND you can hear BOTH letters: bl = /b/ + /l/ (blue). In a DIGRAPH the two letters make one NEW sound: sh = /sh/ (not /s/ + /h/). This is an important difference! Listen carefully to tell them apart.
Is 'shop' a blend or digraph? ______
Is 'blue' a blend or digraph? ______
Sort: Blend or Digraph?
Sort each word: does it start with a BLEND or a DIGRAPH?
Blend or Digraph?
Circle BLEND or DIGRAPH for each word.
green
shell
fresh
chair
black
Sound Boxes: Blends (Set A)
Write the sounds in each word. The blend stays together in one box.
[__][__][__] → stop
[__][__][__] → clap
[__][__][__][__] → crab
Match Words to Clues: Blends
Draw a line from each clue to the correct blend word.
Build Blend Words (Set A)
Put the sounds in order to spell the word.
Sort: All Blends and Digraphs (Set A)
Sort each word into the correct column.
Complete the Word: Mixed (Set A)
Circle the blend or digraph that completes each word.
___ue (a colour)
___op (a place to buy things)
___ee (a number)
___ab (a sea creature)
Write Sentences with Blends (Set A)
Write a sentence using each blend word.
blue: ___________________________
stop: ___________________________
Match All Blends and Digraphs to Words
Draw a line from each blend or digraph to a word.
Blend Spark: Blend and Digraph Hunt!
Go on a hunt in a book or around your home. Find as many words as you can that start with a blend or digraph. Write them in the correct column.
Digraph words (sh, ch, th): ___________________________
Blend words (bl, cr, st, gr, etc.): ___________________________
Real or Nonsense? Blend Words
Read each word. Circle REAL or NONSENSE.
shop
blim
crab
thop
green
frib
Write Sentences with Digraphs (Set A)
Write a sentence using each digraph word.
ship: ___________________________
cheese: ___________________________
Sort by Ending Blend or Digraph
Some words end with a blend or digraph. Sort these words.
What Ending Sound? (Set A)
Circle the blend or digraph at the END of each word.
fast
hand
fish
jump
Tip: Look for Blends and Digraphs Everywhere!
Blends and digraphs appear at the BEGINNING and END of words! 'Shop' starts with sh. 'Fish' ends with sh. When you see two consonants together, ask yourself: is it a blend (hear both) or a digraph (new sound)? This will help you read hundreds of new words!
Find the blend or digraph: splash → start: ______ end: ______
Match Words with Same Beginning Sound
Draw a line to match words that start with the same blend or digraph.
Word Families: Blends (Set A)
Write as many words as you can for each blend family.
Words starting with bl-: ___________________________
Words starting with cr-: ___________________________
Words starting with st-: ___________________________
Which Word Fits the Sentence? (Set A)
Circle the word with the correct blend or digraph.
The sky is ____.
I went to the ____ to buy bread.
The ____ is in the sea.
I ____ my hands.
Grand Sort: Blends and Digraphs (Set A)
Sort all words by their beginning pattern.
Write a Blend and Digraph Story (Set A)
Write a short story using at least 4 blend or digraph words.
My story:
Complete the Word: Mixed (Set B)
Circle the blend or digraph.
___een (a colour of grass)
___og (a small jumping animal)
___ell (a sound from a bell)
___own (a colour)
___ide (to move on ice)
Match Blend Words to Clues (Set A)
Draw a line from each clue to the correct word.
Change the Blend (Set A)
Change the blend or digraph to make a new word.
shop → change sh to ch → ______
blue → change bl to cl → ______
crab → change cr to gr → ______
stop → change st to cl → ______
Sort sp-, sn-, sw- Words
Sort each word by its beginning blend.
Complete the Word (Set C)
Circle the correct blend.
___im (to move in water)
___ell (to use your nose)
___ake (a slithering reptile)
___oon (you eat with it)
Write Words for Each Blend Family
Write 2 words for each blend.
sp- words: ______ ______
sn- words: ______ ______
sw- words: ______ ______
sl- words: ______ ______
Match Words to Pictures: Blends (Set A)
Draw a line from each blend word to its meaning.
Speed Read: Blend and Digraph Words
Read each word quickly. Circle REAL or NONSENSE.
fresh
crub
black
shep
green
thrip
Write Sentences (Set B)
Write a sentence using each word.
green: ___________________________
three: ___________________________
frog: ___________________________
Blend and Digraph Hunt
Find blends and digraphs in everyday reading.
- 1Read a short book and highlight every sh, ch or th you find.
- 2Play Word Tennis: one person says a blend (sh-) and the other says a word.
- 3Make a word wall — one strip per pattern. Add new words as you find them.
- 4Play I Spy with blends: I spy something that starts with /st/.
Sort Three-Letter Blends
Some words start with THREE consonants! Sort these words.
Three-Letter Blends (Set A)
Circle the three-letter blend at the start of each word.
string
spring
scratch
splash
Write Three-Letter Blend Words
Write a word that starts with each three-letter blend.
str- word: ______
spr- word: ______
scr- word: ______
Match Three-Letter Blends to Words
Draw a line from each blend to a word.
Which Word Fits? (Set B)
Circle the correct word.
The cat ____ water everywhere.
I can hear a bird ____.
The rope is very ____.
Blend and Digraph Word Families
Write as many words as you can for each beginning pattern.
sh- words: ___________________________
ch- words: ___________________________
th- words: ___________________________
bl- words: ___________________________
cr- words: ___________________________
Grand Sort: All Patterns
Sort every word by its beginning pattern type.
Blend and Digraph in Longer Words
Circle the blend or digraph in each longer word.
chicken: the digraph is...
brother: the blend is...
sticker: the blend is...
shining: the digraph is...
Write a Story Using Blends and Digraphs (Set B)
Write a story using at least 6 blend or digraph words. Underline each one.
My story:
Grand Match: 10 Words to Clues
Draw a line from each word to its meaning.
Which Pattern? Grand Quiz
Identify the blend or digraph.
The beginning of 'throne'
The beginning of 'cream'
The beginning of 'shrimp'
The end of 'bench'
Blend Challenge: Write 20 Words
Write 20 words that start with a blend or digraph.
My 20 blend/digraph words:
Sort Words I Can Read vs Still Learning
Sort these blend and digraph words honestly.
Blend and Digraph Riddles
Solve each riddle. The answer contains a blend or digraph!
I am green and I hop. I am a ______.
I have claws and live in the sea. I am a ______.
You use me to buy things. I am a ______.
I am a number between two and four. I am ______.
Tip: Reading Longer Words with Blends
When you see a long word, look for the blends and digraphs first. They help you break the word into chunks. For example: 'splash' → spl-a-sh. Finding the patterns makes reading easier!
Break this word: 'shrimp' → ______
Break this word: 'string' → ______
Which Word Completes the Sentence? (Set B)
Circle the correct blend or digraph word.
The ____ swam in the pond.
She wore a ____ dress.
The ____ was very cold.
He ____ down the hill.
Write Sentences (Set C)
Write a sentence for each word.
splash: ___________________________
strong: ___________________________
cheese: ___________________________
Match Beginning to Ending
Draw a line to match each beginning to the correct ending to make a real word.
Sort: Beginning vs Ending Pattern
Does the blend or digraph appear at the start or end of the word?
Blend Spark: Create Your Own Blend Word!
Can you invent a brand new word that starts with a blend or digraph? What would it mean? Draw it!
My made-up blend word: ______ It means: ______
Draw it:
Dictation: Blend and Digraph Words
Your parent will say a word. Listen carefully and write it.
1. ______ 2. ______ 3. ______ 4. ______
5. ______ 6. ______ 7. ______ 8. ______
Grand Blend Quiz (Set A)
Circle the correct answer.
Which starts with a digraph?
Which starts with a blend?
Which ends with a digraph?
Which starts with a three-letter blend?
Blend and Digraph Sentences (Set D)
Write the most interesting sentence you can using 3 blend or digraph words.
My sentence: ___________________________
My blend/digraph words were: ___________________________
Sort: All Patterns Grand Challenge
Sort every word by pattern type.
Write a Paragraph Using Blends and Digraphs
Write a paragraph (3 to 4 sentences) about going to the beach. Use as many blend and digraph words as possible.
My beach paragraph:
Match Words with Same Ending Pattern
Draw a line to match words that end with the same blend or digraph.
Grand Blend Quiz (Set B)
Answer each question.
How many sounds in 'ship'?
How many sounds in 'splash'?
Is 'th' a blend or a digraph?
Is 'bl' a blend or a digraph?
Create Your Own Word Sort
Choose 3 blends or digraphs. Write the column headings and 3 words for each column.
Column 1: ______ Words: ______, ______, ______
Column 2: ______ Words: ______, ______, ______
Column 3: ______ Words: ______, ______, ______
Unscramble Blend Words
The letters are mixed up. Write them in the correct order.
Tip: You Are a Phonics Expert!
You can now read words with digraphs (sh, ch, th), two-letter blends (bl, cr, st, gr, fr...) and even three-letter blends (str, spr, scr)! These patterns appear in thousands of English words. Keep looking for them everywhere you read!
I am proud that I can read words like: ___________________________
Blend and Digraph Challenge: 25 Words
Write 25 words that contain a blend or digraph. Use as many different patterns as you can!
My 25 words:
Which Pattern? Quick Fire!
Name the blend or digraph in each word — fast!
brush
crunch
shrimp
thrash
Sort: Words with TWO Patterns
Some words have a blend or digraph at the start AND end! Sort these.
Blend and Digraph Assessment
Read each word aloud. Write the blend or digraph you hear.
shop → beginning pattern: ______
splash → beginning pattern: ______
fish → ending pattern: ______
string → beginning pattern: ______
crunch → beginning: ______ ending: ______
Grand Match: Patterns to Words
Draw a line from each pattern to a word that contains it.
Write Your Best Blend and Digraph Story
Write your best story yet! Use as many blends and digraphs as you can. Underline each one.
My story:
Grand Blend and Digraph Quiz
Final quiz on everything you have learned!
A digraph makes...
A blend lets you hear...
'sh' is a...
'bl' is a...
'str' is a...
Blend and Digraph Champion
You are a blend and digraph champion! Keep practising.
- 1Read a page of a book and count all the blends and digraphs you spot.
- 2Play Blend Bingo with family members.
- 3Write a shopping list using only blend and digraph words.
- 4Teach someone else the difference between a blend and a digraph.
Blend and Digraph Self-Assessment
Rate yourself on each pattern. Write: confident, getting there, or need practice.
sh: ______ ch: ______ th: ______
bl: ______ cr: ______ st: ______
br: ______ gr: ______ fr: ______
str: ______ spr: ______ scr: ______
Blend Spark: What Will You Read Next?
You can now read words with blends and digraphs! That means you can read SO many more words than before. What book would you like to read next? What new words are you excited to discover?
I want to read: ___________________________
A new word I want to learn: ___________________________