As a teacher, you provide students with literacy tools. 

You give learners a reliable collection of strategies they can use, ensuring your students walk away with a range of literacy skills to tap into as the world of reading opens up to them. 

One of those tools is understanding phonic digraphs—2 sounds that, when blended together, form a single sound. 

In this activity, students will identify words through pictures, then isolate the final digraph and sort the cards to their corresponding digraph mat. 

Boost Reading Proficiency by Identifying Ending Digraphs

Use this resource as a reading center activity, with your guided small group, or as a whole class activity (see below) to practice decoding words by their final digraphs.

Students will identify the picture, decode the word to identify the digraph, and sort it under the correct digraph mat.

The ending digraphs focused on in this game:

• sh
• th
• ch
• ng

Scaffolding and Extension Tips + More Ending Digraph Activities

Use this resource as independent practice for fast finishers, and for full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, formative assessments, and more.

Challenge students who already understand the concept to put the cards in alphabetical order, or sort the cards by the number of syllables in each word.

Invite students to use a visual reminder, like an anchor chart or an alphabet display, to sound out words they may struggle with. 

Write the Room (Scoot Activity)

Hang sheets of chart paper around the room and post a digraph above each one. Individually, or with a partner, have students rotate around the room adding one word that ends with that digraph. Words may be used only once.

Show Me!

This game can be done as a whole-class review activity or with a small group of students. Give each student a mini dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker. Project all 4 of the digraphs and 1 of the picture cards on the screen and have your students write the final digraph for the word in the picture on their board. When everyone has written down their answer, say “Show Me”. Students will flip their boards and this allows you to see who needs extra support with this skill.

Brain Buster

As a small group or full class, challenge your students to think of as many words as they can for each ending digraph sound. Have them shout out words (or call on students) while you write the words on a smartboard, whiteboard, or other projection devices for students to see. Then have students pick 3 words and draw a picture of each.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. An answer key is also included with this download.

This resource was created by Lindsey Phillips, a teacher in Michigan and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

Check out more resources to help students build a love a reading that extends out of the classroom: 

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