Digraph Worksheets: sh, ch, th, wh, ck
Updated November 2026 · 7 free printables
A digraph is two letters that make one sound. These worksheets cover the five consonant digraphs taught in first grade: sh as in ship, ch as in chick, th as in thumb, wh as in wheel and ck as in duck. Each digraph has its own page with pictures to finish, words to trace and a short reading task.
Two review pages mix them all: circle the digraph you hear in twelve pictures, and sort twenty words into sh, ch, th, wh and ck columns. The wh page doubles as question word practice with what, where, who, when and why.
All 7 Digraph Worksheets: sh, ch, th, wh, ck, One by One
Here is a closer look at every page in this collection: what it practices, which grade it fits and a tip for each one.
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1. SH Digraph Worksheet
A sh digraph phonics worksheet in color with an answer key. s and h together say /sh/, like a finger on your lips: shh! Kids write sh to finish ship, shoe, sheep, shirt, fish and brush, trace four more sh words and find the sh words in two sentences. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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2. CH Digraph Worksheet
A ch digraph phonics worksheet in color with an answer key. c and h together say /ch/, like a sneezing train: choo, choo! Kids color the four ch pictures (sh and th pictures are mixed in), write ch in chick, chair, cheese and watch, and trace chin, chop, much and lunch. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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3. TH Digraph Worksheet
A th digraph phonics worksheet in color with an answer key. t and h together say /th/: put your tongue between your teeth and blow. Kids write th in thumb, three, tooth and bath, circle the th words in a list with sh and ch look-alikes, and trace a sentence. First graders can read it on their own and ask for help only with the trickier words.
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4. WH Digraph Worksheet
A wh digraph phonics worksheet in color with an answer key. w and h together say /w/ in words like wheel, whale and when. Kids write wh in wheel, whale and whistle, trace six question words (what, when, where, why, which, who) and pick the right question word for five sentences. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7.
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5. CK Digraph Worksheet
A ck digraph phonics worksheet in color with an answer key. c and k together say /k/. ck comes at the end of a word, right after a short vowel. Kids write ck at the end of eight picture words (sock, duck, clock, lock, rock, truck, chick, block), trace back, kick, neck and luck, and draw a duck in a truck. First graders can read it on their own and ask for help only with the trickier words.
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6. Circle the Digraph: sh, ch, th, wh, ck
Twelve pictures with a digraph at the start or the end: ship, chair, thumb, wheel, sock, cheese, whale, three, shell, duck, brush and watch. Kids say each word and circle sh, ch, th, wh or ck. It matches first grade reading goals, roughly ages 6 to 7. Circle any exercise that felt hard and practice that skill tomorrow.
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7. Digraph Word Sort
Twenty words with digraphs (shop, wish, chin, much, thin, with, when, whip, back, neck and more) to read and sort into five columns: sh, ch, th, wh and ck. Some digraphs come at the start, some at the end. Second graders usually finish it in 10 to 15 minutes, reading the text twice before the questions.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Underline the two letters of the digraph and read them as one sound.
- Give each digraph an action: finger on lips for sh, a sneeze for ch, tongue out for th.
- Practice sh and ch together; they sound close and are easy to swap.
Did you know?
- A digraph is two letters that spell one sound, like sh, ch, th, wh and ck.
- th has two sounds: voiced in this and that, unvoiced in thin and thumb.
- Most Americans say wh the same as w, so which and witch sound alike.
Fun ways to use your printables
- Hunt for digraphs in a picture book and tally how many sh, ch and th words you find.
- Make a question word poster with what, where, who, when and why.
- Sort household objects by digraph: shoe, sock, chair, toothbrush.
How to print
Click Download PDF and print at 100% on US Letter or A4 paper. Page 1 is the worksheet and page 2 is the answer key, so choose “page 1” in the print dialog if you only want the practice page. Every worksheet is free for home, homeschool and classroom use, so print as many copies as you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a digraph and a blend?
In a digraph two letters make one new sound (sh in ship). In a blend you still hear both letters (s and l in sled).
Which digraph should we teach first?
sh is usually first because its sound is easy to hear and hold: shhh. ch and th follow; wh and ck often come last.
Why does th sound different in this and thin?
th has two sounds. In this, then and that your voice is on (voiced); in thin, thumb and three it is just air (unvoiced). Let your child feel the difference with a hand on the throat.
When do we use ck?
ck comes at the end of a short word right after a short vowel: duck, sock, back. After a long vowel or a consonant we usually use k instead, as in cake or milk.