Free printable practice
Digraph Sounds Practice Activities
Class 1 phonics worksheets for practising common digraph sounds such as sh, ch, th, wh, ph and ck in words and simple reading tasks.
Practice that builds confidence
From two letters to one sound
These Class 1 phonics worksheets help children hear and read digraphs: two letters that work together to make one sound. Learners practise common pairs such as sh, ch, th, wh, ph and ck through clear word-level and sentence-level activities.
The printable activities include matching, sorting, circling, tracing, word building and short reading tasks. Each sheet supports the Phonics step in the Reading Comprehension path by helping children connect sounds, spellings and meaning.
Digraphs can be confusing because children see two letters but must say one joined sound. In these worksheets, Class 1 learners look closely at pairs such as sh in ship, ch in chair, th in thin, wh in whale, ph in phone and ck in duck. The focus is not memorising lists alone; it is noticing how the sound changes when letters work as a team.
How the practice progresses
Activities usually begin with listening and identification: Does the word start with ch or sh? Which picture has the th sound? Children then move to reading and spelling tasks, such as completing missing digraphs, sorting words by sound, matching pictures to words and reading short phrases or sentences. This gradual movement helps them use digraphs while decoding, not only while copying.
A simple parent routine
At home, choose one digraph sound for a short practice session. Say the sound together, read three or four worksheet words, and ask your child to point to the two letters that make that sound. Then look around the room or in a storybook for another example. End by asking your child to use one word in an oral sentence, such as The chick is small.
Classroom uses for teachers
Teachers can use these printables for phonics groups, reading centres, morning work or quick revision after introducing a digraph on the board. Picture-based pages support children who are still building vocabulary, while word and sentence pages give stronger readers useful decoding practice. The sheets also work well for small-group checks: listen for whether children blend the whole word after recognising the digraph.
Common errors to watch for
Many children try to sound out each letter separately, saying s-h instead of sh. Others confuse visually similar or close sounds, especially ch and sh, or read th as t. Some may add an extra vowel sound after the digraph. Encourage them to cover the rest of the word, tap the digraph once, say the joined sound, and then blend the full word smoothly.
Free printable PDF download
Use this Class 1 digraph sounds worksheet page to preview the activity, print it, or download it as a PDF for quick practice. It works well for homework, homeschool lessons, tutoring, morning work, revision, and classroom centers.
Answers and answer key support
After the child completes the worksheet independently, parents and teachers can use the answer support or answer key information to check the work, review mistakes, and choose the next practice step.
Why iBloom worksheets help
The iBloom pages keep the task simple and focused so children know exactly which sound pattern they are practising. A helpful child strategy is: spot the letter team, say its sound, slide into the next sound, then check the picture or sentence to see if the word makes sense.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What is a digraph in Class 1 phonics?
A digraph is a pair of letters that makes one sound, such as sh in ship or ch in chair. Children learn to read the pair as a single sound instead of saying each letter separately.
Which digraph sounds are practised in these worksheets?
The worksheets focus on common Class 1 digraphs such as sh, ch, th, wh, ph and ck, using picture clues, words and simple reading activities.
How can I help my child stop reading sh as s and h?
Ask your child to underline or tap the two letters together, say the joined sound once, and then blend the whole word. Repeating this with a few familiar words helps build the habit.
Are these worksheets useful for reading comprehension?
Yes. When children recognise digraphs quickly, they decode words more accurately. That supports smoother reading, which helps them understand short phrases and sentences.
Can teachers use these pages for group work?
Yes. Teachers can use them in phonics groups, reading centres, revision tasks or quick checks after teaching a specific digraph sound.
Is this Class 1 digraph sounds worksheet free?
Yes. You can preview it for free and use the printable worksheet for home or classroom practice.
Can I download this Class 1 digraph sounds worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Use the worksheet download option to save a printable PDF, or print the worksheet directly from the page.
Does this Class 1 digraph sounds worksheet include answers or an answer key?
When the activity has fixed answers, iBloom includes answer support so parents and teachers can check the completed worksheet.