Two Letters, One Sound: Digraphs Sh, Ch and Th

About This Resource

A complete Grade 1 ESL phonics lesson pack on the consonant digraphs sh, ch and th: hearing and saying each sound, reading and spelling 18 picture words with the digraph at the start or end, sorting words by sound, choosing the missing digraph, reading decodable sentences and writing a silly sentence. Includes slides, a timed lesson plan, picture flashcards, a six-activity worksheet, quiz, homework, rubric and answer key.

Overview

Students learn that a digraph is two letters that work together to make one new sound. They practise sh (ship, fish), ch (chair, lunch) and th (three, bath) with mouth shapes and actions: a finger on the lips for sh, a train for ch and a tongue between the teeth for th. They read and spell picture words with the digraph at the beginning or end, sort words by sound, find the missing digraph, read short decodable sentences and finish by writing their own sentence with all three sounds.

Resource Details

Subject: ESL
Topic: Consonant Digraphs Sh, Ch and Th
Category: Phonics
File Type: PDF
File Size: 382.9 KB
Published: 04 Nov 2026
Downloads: 0

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Grade 1 (ages 6–7), beginner ESL 45 minutes Phonics phonemic awareness reading spelling handwriting

Learning Objectives

Say the sounds of sh, ch and th and know that two letters make one sound.
Read and spell words with sh, ch and th at the beginning and end.
Read short sentences with digraph words.

How to Use This Resource

Start with slide 1: put a finger on your lips and say "shhh". Ask what letters make this sound.
Teach each digraph with its action and picture words, then do worksheet activities 1 and 2 together.
Students complete activities 3 to 6. Use the quiz to check and send the homework home. Answers are in the answer key.

Classroom Activity Ideas

Sound actions: say a word; students make the sh, ch or th action they hear (finger on lips, train arm, tongue out).
Digraph hunt: students find sh, ch and th words in a picture book and write them on sticky notes for a class chart.
Beginning or end?: students jump forward if the sound is at the start of the word and backward if it is at the end.

Differentiation

Support: work on one digraph at a time and use the picture flashcards for every word. Challenge: add the digraph wh (whale, wheel) and ask students to write three words for each sound without pictures.

Assessment

Worksheet activities and the quiz check hearing, reading and spelling the digraphs (answer key included). Listen to each student read the sentences in activity 5 and use the rubric.

Teacher Tips

Show the mouth shape for each sound with a mirror. Many learners say s for sh and t or f for th; let them feel the difference with a hand in front of their mouth. Teach th in both its quiet form (thin) and buzzing form (this).

What's Included

11-page printable PDF lesson pack: teacher lesson plan with timings, materials and differentiation
Key vocabulary list (9 words with meanings and examples)
Student worksheet (6 activities)
Quiz / assessment (3 parts)
Homework practice page
Printable flashcards: 9 A5 picture cards (separate PDF)
Assessment rubric (4 levels)
Lesson slides (editable PowerPoint)
Editable Word version of all student pages
Complete answer key (also as a separate PDF)