Digraph Detectives Worksheet
Phonics Lab Grade 1 • 2 • Digraphs
Digraph Detectives
Name:
Date:
Detective Rule: A digraph is two letters that join hands to make one sound!
sh ch th ck wh
1
Missing Digraph Mission
Choose: sh, ch, th, ck, or wh
Read the clue. Write the missing digraph in the box to complete the one-syllable word.
Clue: A big vessel on the sea
ip
Clue: Cut into pieces with an axe
op
Clue: Slender; opposite of thick
in
Clue: A tool that spins rapidly or cracks
ip
Clue: A creature with fins and gills
fi
Clue: Fastens a door securely
lo
Clue: Warm tub wash with bubbles
ba
Clue: Swimming bird that says quack
du
2
Sound Mapping Lab
1 box = 1 sound (phoneme)
Say the word slowly. Write the letters that spell each sound in their own box. Hint: Digraphs stay in one box together!
MODEL EXAMPLE: s h i p (4 letters, but 3 sounds!)
sh
i
p
Target Word chin
Target Word sock
Target Word moth
Target Word shed
Digraph Detectives • Consonant Digraphs SH, CH, TH, CK, WH
Page 1 of 2
Digraph Detectives • Field Report
Sorting and Sentence Application
Investigator:
3
The Digraph Sort Vault
Read each word in the clue bank. Sort and write each word into its correct digraph column.
Word Bank (15 One-Syllable Words)
shop chat thick back whiz dish rich math kick when rush bench path neck whip
sh
ch
th
ck
wh
4
Secret Code Sentences
Read each sentence. Circle the word that best fits the sentence, then write it clearly on the line.
- Mom will help me the apples for our pie.
Choices:
chop whip back
- A little winged flew around the night lantern.
Choices:
moth dish duck
- We stood on the dock and watched the large sail away.
Choices:
lock ship rich
- Walk safely along the dirt through the tall trees.
Choices:
path shed deck
Score: ____ / 27 • Case Closed! Excellent Digraph Decoding!
Page 2 of 2
Digraph Detectives Answer Key
Teacher Edition Answer Key & Coaching Notes
Digraph Detectives Key
Target Concept
sh • ch • th • ck • wh
sh /ʃ/ Continuous air, quiet hushing lip round
ch /tʃ/ Sudden stop & puff: "choo-choo"
th /θ/ or /ð/ Tongue tip between front teeth
ck /k/ Back tongue taps roof; only after short vowel
wh /w/ Rounded lips breath blow (glide)
1
Solutions • Missing Digraph Mission
(8 Points)
1. Boat: _ip sh + ip = ship
2. Axe cut: _op ch + op = chop
3. Slender: _in th + in = thin
4. Cord tool: _ip wh + ip = whip
5. Water pet: fi_ fi + sh = fish
6. Door lock: lo_ lo + ck = lock
7. Warm wash: ba_ ba + th = bath
8. Quacking bird: du_ du + ck = duck
2
Solutions • Elkonin Sound Boxes
(4 Points)
chin 3 phonemes: /ch/ - /i/ - /n/
ch i n
sock 3 phonemes: /s/ - /o/ - /k/
s o ck
moth 3 phonemes: /m/ - /o/ - /th/
m o th
shed 3 phonemes: /sh/ - /e/ - /d/
sh e d
Common Phonemic Pitfall to Watch For:
Many early readers attempt to place each letter into its own box (e.g. putting 's' and 'h' in separate boxes for shed). Remind students that an Elkonin box represents a single sound, not an individual letter.
Teacher Prompt: "Say the word slowly. How many mouth moves do you feel? When you say /ʃ/, your lips make one move together, so 's' and 'h' buddy up inside one box!"
Digraph Decoders • Worksheet Page 1 Key & Teacher Notes
Key Page 1 of 2
Digraph Detectives • Page 2 Solutions
Sorting Matrix, Sentences, & Differentiation
Total Page 2 Points: 19
3
Solutions • The Digraph Sort Vault
(15 Points: 1 pt each)
sh
shop dish rush
ch
chat rich bench
th
thick math path
ck
back kick neck
wh
whiz when whip
*Note: Notice how ck only occurs at the end of a short-vowel base word (back, kick, neck), while only appears at the beginning of English words.
