Effective phonics instruction is so important, so it's a relief that more schools and educators are adopting it, particularly as the science of reading gets more popular. Most teachers cover digraphs after short vowels and CVC words. Once you've taught your students how to decode words with digraphs like CH, SH, TH, WH, and CK (explored in detail here), they still need lots of practice! Here are eight ways for your students to practice digraphs, perfect for centers or word work!

Clip Cards Clip cards are a fun, tactile way to get phonics practice.
Puzzles Puzzles are another fun way for kids to practice reading words with digraphs.
Magnetic Letters You can provide picture cards of words featuring digraphs (like the ones included in my Phonics by Design Digraphs Unit) and have students build each word with magnetic letters. You can also use magnetic letters during the guided practice section of your direct phonics instruction.
Stamping You can use letter stamps the same way as magnetic letters. You can provide paper and ink pads, or you can have student stamp into play dough!
File Folder Tasks Most kids seem to love file folder tasks! They take a little time to prep, but you can use them year after year.
Adapted Books My students always loved completing adapted books, like this Digraphs Adapted Book.
Sand Tracing Just like with magnetic letters, you can provide picture cards of words with digraphs, and have students write the word in sand with their finger. I like to use flat tupperware containers for the sand, and of course you’ll have to go over rules about the sand staying in the container!
Word Sorts Word sorts encourage students to notice phonics elements within words, and it also gives them additional practice in reading and writing words with digraphs.

I hope these digraphs activities are useful in your special education, kindergarten, or first grade classroom!

8 Ways to Practice Digraphs