Free printable practice
Digraphs Practice Activities
Grade 1 printable digraph activities help children read, spell, and sort words with consonant teams such as ch, sh, th, wh, and ph.
Practice that builds confidence
What children learn
These Grade 1 digraphs practice activities help children notice when two letters work together to make one sound. Learners practise reading and spelling common consonant digraphs such as ch, sh, th, wh, and ph in words they can decode.
The printable activities include word and picture matching, sound sorting, fill-in-the-blank spelling, and short reading tasks. Each worksheet builds phonics accuracy while supporting smoother word recognition in early reading comprehension.
Digraphs are letter teams that make one new sound, as in ship, chop, thin, whale, and phone. In Grade 1 phonics, children move from hearing the sound at the start or end of a word to reading the whole word in a sentence. These worksheets help children connect the printed pattern to the spoken sound, then use that knowledge while reading.
Skill progression on the page
Practice begins with recognizing the digraph in simple words and pictures. Children may sort words by ch, sh, th, wh, or ph, choose the missing letter team, or match a word to an illustration. Later tasks ask them to read short phrases or sentences, so the skill is not isolated from meaning. This progression supports decoding, spelling, and comprehension together.
A simple parent routine
At home, start by saying a target sound, such as sh, and asking your child to find a matching word or picture on the worksheet. Have them trace or underline the two-letter team, read the word slowly, then say the word naturally. Finish by using one worksheet word in an oral sentence, for example: The fish is red. This keeps phonics connected to real language.
Classroom uses for teachers
Teachers can use these printables for phonics centers, small-group review, morning work, or quick checks after a digraph lesson. Sorting pages work well with partners because children must explain why a word belongs in a group. Sentence-based pages can be used before guided reading to prepare students for words they may meet in books.
Common errors to watch for
Some children try to sound out each letter separately, reading sh as s-h instead of one sound. Others confuse visually similar teams, especially ch and sh, or forget that th can be voiced or unvoiced, as in this and thin. If a child writes wich for which, point back to the wh pattern and have them read the word aloud again.
Free printable PDF download
Use this grade 1 digraphs 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 activities give repeated, focused practice without overwhelming first graders with too many patterns at once. Clear pictures, word choices, and varied response formats help children hear, see, read, and write digraphs. A child-friendly strategy is: spot the two letters, say the one sound, blend the whole word, then check if it makes sense.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
What digraphs are usually practised in these Grade 1 worksheets?
The activities focus on common consonant digraphs children meet in early reading, including ch, sh, th, wh, and ph. Practice may include identifying, sorting, reading, and spelling words with these letter teams.
How is a digraph different from a blend?
In a digraph, two letters make one sound, such as sh in ship. In a blend, both letter sounds can still be heard, such as st in stop. This page focuses on digraphs, not blends.
Can these worksheets help my child read more fluently?
Yes. When children quickly recognize digraphs as one sound, they spend less effort sounding out each letter and can read words and simple sentences more smoothly.
What should I do if my child mixes up ch and sh?
Have your child underline the two-letter team, say the sound, and compare a pair of words such as chip and ship. Sorting picture words into ch and sh groups can also strengthen the distinction.
Are the activities only for spelling practice?
No. The worksheets support both spelling and reading. Children identify sounds, complete words, match words to pictures, and read words in context so the phonics skill supports comprehension.
Is this grade 1 digraphs worksheet free?
Yes. You can preview it for free and use the printable worksheet for home or classroom practice.
Can I download this grade 1 digraphs 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 grade 1 digraphs 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.