Diagraph Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: RF.1.3a

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

Diagraphs are a combination of two particular letters that make one distinct sound. The letters can a mix of consonants and vowels. If the two letters are both consonants, it is referred to as a consonant diagraph. If one of the letters is a vowel, it is referred to as a vowel diagraph. These single sounds help us form words and ultimately language. The worksheets posted below will help students read and recognize the function of diagraphs. Students will also be able to take a crack at our puzzles on the bottom, they are pretty fun.

Diagraph Worksheets To Print:

Single Pair-Sound - There are a lot of sh- in there. You may also find some new prefixes mixed in as well.

Vowel Diagraphs - Time for you to brain storm some words and dig deep in your brain. All of these include a vowel with the consonant.

Recognizing Diagraphs - Look carefully, on the bottom, there are pictures that can help you with this. Sound out every word that you see.

Find the Diagraph - Yes, it is only one of the two words. Be aware that there are many more to come as well.

Multiple Diagraphs! - Some words do contain more than one diagraph. These are sometimes referred to as combos.

Consonant Diagraphs - See how many words you can come up with for each consonant diagraph. Write each word in the correct box. You can get really creative with these.

Ch-, Th-, Sh- - Choose the correct letter pairs to complete each word. Some can fit in more than one space.

Diagraph Happy! - Write four words containing each diagraph below. We do a contest in my room. The longer the word, the more points you get.

Fill in the Consonant Diagraph - Fill in the missing consonant diagraph for each word. Use the pictures as clues.

Identifying Vowel Diagraphs - Circle the word in each pair that contains a vowel diagraph.

Diagraphs - Cut and glue each picture into the box. Write the word in the correct column. You will need some supplies for this worksheet.

Column Lining - Write each word from the word box in the correct column. You might need extra space to work with.

Diagraphs Brainteasers - Study each word below. Then answer the questions. Pictures can help you complete this.

The Blank Beat - Fill in the blanks below. Then use the words to complete the sentences. Pull apart the sounds within the words, that really helps.

Diagraph Puzzler - Fill in the blanks with correct diagraph. Use the pictures below as clues. You may use each diagraph more than once.

Quiet! - Say each word quietly to yourself. Underline the letter pair in each word. HINT: Some words contain two!

Fill In the Missing Vowel Pair - We are focused on "ee" adn "ea" here.

Bold Pictures - The name of each picture that contains a diagraph. Write the name of each picture.

Spot It - Which letter pair sits on each of the words.

More Than One - Which word has multiple instances?

Brainstormer - We give you a letter pair and ask you to think of five words that contain that word chunk.

1 of 3 - Which combo would complete each word?

Word Pictures - Connect each picture to its diagraph and complete the word.

Missing Parts - Use the pictures as clues.

Complete Clown - What is missing and where does it go from here?

Tracing - Fill in the word and the letters that are gone.

Crazy Columns - Write each word from the word box in the correct column.

Circle It - Some words may have more than one in them.

Say and Write It - Say the word. Then write the word.

cr, ch, ck, cl - We take down all these letter pairs.

Don't Confuse Diagraphs with Blends


In the English language there are only two single-letter words (a and I). Every other word has at least one consonant. In order to be able to decipher and decode these words students need to have a good handle on diagraphs and consonant blends. Consonant blends are two or three letter combinations that can be voiced. For the most part, both of these phonetic skills are taught through rote (repetitious) learning. Students often confuse diagraphs with blends and vice versa.


As we said before, a diagraph (whether a vowel or consonant form) is formed when two letter create a singular definable sound. The sound formed is referred to as a diphthong. Blends are also pair of letters, but each letter keeps its individual sound. Blends also can consist of an extra letter and are found on either end of a word. In fact, there are many three lettered blends. I find that blends are much more approachable for students. Diagraphs are usually found in slightly more difficult words for students.


How Should You Approach Teaching This Skill?


This skill should most likely be introduced to students the minute they enter school whether that is the Pre-K or kindergarten level. As we just covered, it is important to teach students how they differ from blends and really help them travel through all the different examples. The more examples and practice that we can give them, the better.


I often like to begin by exploring vowel diagraphs with students. That is where at least one of the two letters is a vowel. Students usually have a better time when starting with vowels, I think it may have to do with the uniqueness of the sounds. I always start students off as a class and ask for choral response. I give them a good number of exercises that allows me to evaluate where they are with their sounds. I then break off those students that are having a great deal of success, into independent learning centers. I like to start them off with using quick and easy decodable books. If they have a modicum of success, we move them on to using picture cards. From there we can approach word sorting activities that help them find commonalities between words. Once I see that the vast majority of students are on task, we move to word building activities where we give them a single diagraph and ask them to dream up their own words.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Single Pair-Sound Preview