Phonemic awareness is a huge part of learning how to read. When students understand phonics, they are able to sound out words which increases the number of words they know. In addition, it makes teaching digraphs in elementary easier!

Why Teach Phonics in Elementary
Teaching phonics might seem like quite a task. However, it can help students become stronger readers! Phonics is an important aspect of the Science of Reading and can be implemented easily into your daily activities! I have several phonics resources available at Savvy Teaching Tips on TpT including resources on:
- Long Vowel Sounds
- Short Vowel Sounds
- Consonant Blends
- Diphthongs and Digraphs
- R-Controlled Vowels
- Silent E Long Vowel
- Variant Vowels
Teaching Digraphs in Elementary
Whenever I am teaching digraphs in elementary, I always use this simple five step process. By using the same process all the time, my students get into a routine which makes teaching them the next digraph, that much easier. You can click on the image below to go to my YouTube channel for more information, or keep reading below.
1: Start with the Sound
Start with the sound the letters make together by saying several different words that include the digraph. During this time when you are teaching digraphs in elementary, it’s good to review what the rule is. Then, you can use a game such as thumbs up or thumbs down to reinforce the rule. Next, day the word out loud to hear the sounds and figure out what’s the same about one side vs. the other.
2: Teach the Sound
After you have discovered the pattern, you can start teaching digraphs in elementary by teaching the actual sound. I like to use Jolly Phonics which uses an image, a hand motion, and the letters. I would teach the sound using this phonics lesson before I go into the following steps.
3: Decode Words
Once students understand the sound, I would move on to decoding words. I like to start using short vowel words. Then, I write down a list of words on the whiteboard that use the diagraph I am teaching such as: chip, chat, bench, chick, chin, chop, lunch. It’s important to put the digraph at the beginning and at the end of words so students know it can go in either spot. During this time, make sure you talk about the meaning of the words you wrote down especially if you have ELL students in your room. Finally, model the blending with them so they know exactly what to do. Modeling is always a great way to decode words before you give students a decodable text.
4: Use Independent Practice
Once students have a grasp of the the digraph you are teaching, it’s time for some independent practice. Teaching digraphs in elementary with independent practice might be doing a “Read the Room” activity or writing down a word list. You can also use decodable texts to give students exposure to the digraph you are teaching.
5: Present an Independent Extension Activity
When you feel students can independently use the digraph you’ve been teaching, I encourage you to use an extension activity to reinforce the learning. This can be something like a worksheet or an activity students do during their centers.
Teaching digraphs in elementary might seem like an insurmountable task. But, by breaking up the job into five manageable parts, your students will be reading digraphs and decoding words with confidence!
