This beginning digraphs fill in the blank worksheet has 1st graders write ch, sh, th or wh to finish words in sentences and under pictures. Answer key included, so it grades itself in seconds.
This S Blends Worksheet helps first graders spell and hear the beginning blends sn, sk, sp, sl, and sm by completing real words. Includes a complete answer key, perfect for no-prep phonics practice at home or school.
This ng and nk digraph worksheet gives 1st graders picture-clue practice writing the ending sounds in words like ring and skunk. An answer key is included for quick, no-prep phonics practice.
This NG/NK digraph worksheet asks 1st graders to sort six words by their ending sound and then build four more. Answer key included for fast, no-prep phonics practice.
This R Blends Worksheet gives 1st graders two quick activities — three word-bank sentences and a br, gr, tr word sort — covering the blends br, fr, gr, pr, and tr. Answer key included for fast checking.
A w or wh worksheet that helps 1st graders decide which spelling makes the /w/ sound, with six picture clues and six picture-free words. Answer key included for fast, confident phonics practice.
The L Blends Fill in the Blank Worksheet gives 1st graders ten sentences and a word bank to practice fl, bl, pl, cl, and sl blends. Answer key included for quick, no-prep phonics practice at home or school.
This H Digraphs Fill in the Blank Worksheet gives 1st graders six sentences to complete with sh, ch, wh, and th words, plus a circle-the-digraph section. Answer key included for fast, no-prep phonics practice.
Practice the Blends SP, ST Worksheet with picture bubbles and word-box sentences made for 1st Grade readers. An answer key is included, so beginning blends turn into quick, confident reading.
This Blends SM, SN Worksheet asks 1st graders to listen for the beginning blend, then write sm or sn to finish twelve words. An answer key is included, so checking takes only seconds.
This Blends BL BR Worksheet has 1st graders write the missing blend under six pictures, then spell two whole words. An answer key is included for quick, no-prep phonics practice.
This beginning blends fill in the blank worksheet lets 1st graders read six sentences and drop in the right consonant blend from a word bank. Includes an answer key for quick, no-prep phonics practice at home or in class.
This Starts With SH Reading Comprehension Worksheet gives 1st graders a short beach story full of sh words plus five bubble-in questions. An answer key is included, so phonics practice and reading comprehension happen in one no-prep activity.
This Blends SC, SK Worksheet gives 1st graders six picture clues and a word sort for the beginning blends sc and sk. An answer key is included, so blend practice takes no prep.
The Ending Blends Pictures Worksheet has first graders say six picture names and write the ending blend they hear, then finish three sentences. An answer key is included, so ending sounds stop slipping away.
This R Blends Worksheet asks 1st graders to read six sentences and write the missing word from a box of br, fr, gr, pr and tr words. Answer key included for easy checking.
This Writing L Blend Words Worksheet gives 1st graders six picture words and four sentences to finish with fl, bl, pl, cl, and sl. Answer key included for fast, no-prep phonics practice.
This Phonemes Worksheet gives 1st graders hands-on practice segmenting short words into their individual sounds, with picture cues and worked blend examples. Includes an answer key to build the phonemic awareness that powers reading and spelling.
The Fill in the Blank Ending Blends Worksheet gives 1st graders eight sentences to complete by choosing the right ending blend from a word bank. Answer key included — a no-prep way to build phonics and spelling confidence.
A blends fl, fr worksheet that has 1st graders name six pictures and print the missing blend, then finish two sentences. Answer key included for quick, no-prep phonics practice.
Blends, digraphs and a lot of sound
By first grade most kids know their single consonant sounds, so now consonants start teaming up. Kids learn blends, where you still hear both sounds (st in stop, bl in black), and digraphs, where two letters make one brand-new sound (sh, ch, th, wh). They also meet ending teams like -ng and -nk in sing and bank. The click moment is when a child stops sounding out s-h-i-p and reads "ship" in one smooth go.
Consonant teams are all about hearing the difference. These moves train ears first, then eyes.
Teach each digraph with a key picture and a motion: finger to lips for sh, a choo-choo arm for ch. Then read a list of words and have kids make the motion when they hear it. Hearing the sound first makes spelling it so much easier.
Why it works: teaching letter sounds directly and in order is one of the best-supported findings in reading research (National Reading Panel, 2000).
Try it withBeginning Digraphs Fill in the Blank WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →Hand out letter tiles and say "Make lip. Now make slip. Now make flip." Kids swap only the first letters each time. Building and changing one sound at a time shows that blends are just two sounds you already know, said fast.
Why it works: the U.S. Department of Education's guide for teaching elementary math recommends moving from hands-on objects to drawings to numbers.
Try it withBlends BL, BR WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →A 3-minute check at the end of the week: say a word, kids write the blend they hear at the start. Sort your notes by blend family. Most kids are solid on s blends long before r and l blends, so you'll know where to reteach.
Why it works: researchers who compared ten study methods found practice testing is one of the two that work best (Dunlosky and colleagues, 2013).
Try it withS Blends WorksheetWorksheetsOpen it →Consonant teams are made for games. Here's what our first graders ask for.
ActivitiesKids pull a popcorn piece, read the blend and pop up to say a word that starts with it. Pop, pop, pop!
Open Popcorn Blends Activity →
WorksheetsIs it -ng or -nk? Kids say the word, listen for that ending hum, and pick the right team.
Open NG and NK Digraph Worksheet →
WorksheetsKids sort question words and everyday words, then try a "wh" question on a partner: What? Where? Why?
Open W or WH Worksheet →Teacher favorites right now: Beginning Digraphs Fill in the Blank Worksheet, S Blends Worksheet and NG and NK Digraph Worksheet.
In a blend you can still hear each letter, like the s and t in "stop." In a digraph, two letters make one new sound, like "sh" in "ship." First graders learn both, usually blends and digraphs side by side.
The core ones are sh, ch, th, wh and ck, plus ending teams ng and nk. Many programs also add ph later in the year.
They're reading each letter on its own and missing the team. Point to the "sh," say its sound together, then reread the word. Underlining digraphs before reading helps kids spot them.
Play "I spy something that starts with /st/" around the house. Or write a word like "lip" and let your child add letters to make slip, flip and clip. Five minutes a day is plenty.
Loved by 2 million teachers & families
Printables, songs and games for every subject, Preschool through 6th. Ready to teach today, and kids beg for more.
