order to teach digraphs

2 min read 06-09-2024

Teaching digraphs is an essential part of early literacy instruction. A digraph is a combination of two letters that together make one sound. Understanding how to teach digraphs effectively can greatly enhance a child's reading and writing skills. Below is a structured approach to teaching digraphs in an orderly manner.

What are Digraphs?

A digraph consists of two letters that represent one sound. For example, in the word "chop," the "ch" is a digraph that creates a single sound. Understanding digraphs helps students decode unfamiliar words and improve their spelling abilities.

Common Digraphs

Here are some common digraphs to introduce:

sh (as in "ship")
ch (as in "chair")
th (as in "think" or "the")
wh (as in "whale")
ph (as in "phone")

Order of Instruction

1. Introduction to Sounds

Begin by introducing the concept of digraphs through auditory recognition. Use songs or rhymes that emphasize digraph sounds. This makes learning engaging and helps students hear the sounds before seeing the letters.

2. Visual Representation

After auditory recognition, present the digraphs visually. Use flashcards displaying the digraphs alongside pictures of words that contain them. For example, show “ch” with an image of a “chicken.”

3. Word Formation

Once students recognize the sounds and visual representations, begin forming words. Encourage students to come up with words that use specific digraphs. For instance, with "sh," list words like "shoes," "ship," and "shout."

4. Writing Practice

Integrate writing into your lessons. Have students practice writing the digraphs and the words that contain them. This reinforces their learning through multiple modalities.

5. Reading Activities

Use engaging reading activities to reinforce digraph learning. Choose books that are rich in digraphs and encourage students to identify them as they read. Consider shared reading sessions where you can emphasize digraphs together.

6. Games and Activities

Incorporate games to make learning fun. Activities like matching games, bingo, or digraph scavenger hunts can enhance retention and make learning interactive.

7. Assessment and Review

After the instruction, conduct assessments to evaluate understanding. This can include informal assessments like observing participation in games or more structured assessments such as quizzes.

Conclusion

Teaching digraphs in an organized manner allows for a deeper understanding and better retention of phonetic concepts. By introducing sounds, using visual aids, encouraging word formation, and incorporating interactive activities, educators can create an effective learning environment that empowers students to master digraphs.

Through consistent practice and engaging methods, students will be able to read and write with greater confidence and skill.