Teaching digraphs can sometimes feel like hitting a brick wall. You explain that two letters make one sound, but your students still want to say each letter separately— or forget what sound “ch” makes just moments after you’ve reviewed it. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone! The good news is that teaching digraphs for kindergarten doesn’t have to be a struggle. When you make learning interactive, exciting, and full of movement, students don’t just memorize digraphs— they truly understand them!
Welcome to Part 1 of the Digraph Series, where you’ll find done-for-you lesson plans full of engaging ways to teach the CH digraph all week long!
Digraphs are pairs of letters that come together to make one sound.
Some of the most common digraphs:
Digraphs are a huge step in your students’ phonics learning journey! They mark the transition from learning simple letter sounds to recognizing how letter combinations can work together.
When you teach digraphs well, you’re helping your students strengthen their decoding, spelling, and reading fluency skills. All of these skills are essential for building confident, strong readers!
Teach the CH- family to your students using this done-for-you FREE 5-day digraph lesson plan! This week-long lesson plan shows you exactly how to teach /ch/ using 4 types of interactive activities each day:
Every day includes:
With this variety of instructional methods in place, your students will stay engaged as they learn all about /ch/!
You’ve probably seen it— kids learn best when they can move, play, and explore. That’s exactly what makes interactive phonics instruction so powerful!
Baylor University reports that interactive learning activities lead to:
These done-for-you plans also include EVEN MORE ideas for practicing the digraph CH during small groups, centers, recess, and for extra reading and phonemic awareness practice.
Check out these easy and engaging activities found in the FREE 5-day CH Digraph lesson plans to make teaching digraphs fun and meaningful in your K-2 classroom:
On Day 1, get your students warmed up for learning with this kinesthetic activity! They can sit or stand on the floor as they “rock the boat” for each word.
When they say the onset sound, they rock LEFT. Then they say the rime and rock to the RIGHT.
Students sit or stand TALL as they blend the onset and rime together and say the word!
Next, practice phonemic awareness skills by focusing on picture cards without print. Students will say the name of the picture and sort the cards to decide what words belong and which do not.
Use a pocket chart or place cards along the edge of your board. Use an appropriate digraph sound wall card to teach students the correct way to form the sound with their mouth. This card is a great visual reminder, too!
On Day 2, introduce and play Word Wigglers. Students change one sound each time to make a new word with the chosen digraph. This activity combines the benefits of word ladders and movement!
I created ready to print recording sheets so this game is zero prep and LOTS of fun!
On Day 3, use Guess and Groove for easy phonics instruction with lots of movement! Review the /ch/ digraph using the included slides then play Guess and Groove as a class.
If they guessed correctly, they get to do the corresponding movement on the next slide.
For independent practice, students use the practice pages included in the NO Prep Phonics Printables Set to practice identifying tricky digraph words. They can color the pages when they’ve finished writing for extra, interactive fun!
On Day 4, warm your students up with “Tap and Slide”.
Students stand on the floor. You say a word, and students balance on one foot while tapping their other foot from left to right as they say each sound.
Then, they bring both feet back together to say the word.
Words targeted:
On this day, also focus on hands-on writing practice using the NO PREP Phonics Printables Set! Students will write different /ch/ words in complete sentences. After they are done, they draw a matching picture!
On Day 5, teach digraphs for kindergarten by using the We Spy Phonics resource to play Seek & Write. This interactive activity is a LOW PREP twist on the famous “I Spy” game that all kids love!
Place the colorful Word Family Race pages into plastic sleeves. Students use a dry-erase marker to circle pictures and write or trace words.
For extra practice, play charades to teach digraphs for kindergarten!
Use the Digraph Charades game slides to keep things easy on yourself. Your students take turns coming up to the front of the classroom to act out a word.
All of the other students will trace and write the words on the corresponding recording sheet as they play.
At the end of the week, assess your students’ ability to correctly spell /ch/ words.
For easy differentiation, add a dictation sentence on the back of the page!
Finally, use an indoor “basketball” game to bring big energy to your classroom! Use crumpled paper balls and a trash can or a small foam ball and an over-the-door hoop.
Keep everyone engaged by dividing the class into partners or small groups. Each group gets a whiteboard where they draw or write the correct answer until it’s their turn.
This activity is perfect for warm-ups, transition moments, or a quick brain break!
Teaching digraphs for kindergarten doesn’t have to be boring or challenging. When you incorporate games, movement, and other interactive ideas, your students are excited to learn and stay focused while they build stronger phonics skills. Whether you are sorting picture cards, acting out words, or freezing mid-dance, you’re creating positive learning experiences that will stick with your students!
Check back soon for Part 2 of the Digraph Series!
I’m a teacher who believes in creating a classroom kids love and activities that keep them engaged all day!
