Phonics Practice · Step 6 of 12
Two letters, one sound
sh, ch, th, wh, ck and ng: two letters that make one sound.
Made by Teddy Rook Book to practice alongside Hannah Ward's lessons. It is not part of her curriculum. About this practice
For grown-ups
What this step teaches
Some pairs of letters make one new sound: sh (ship), ch (chick), th (bath), wh (whale), ck (sock) and ng (ring). These pairs are called digraphs. In the sound boxes they share one box, because they are one sound. nk (bank) comes along with ng.
As you practice: Two letters, one sound: tap the pair once. If your child says /s/ /h/ for sh, cover the h and uncover it: “Together they say shhh.”
Away from the screen
- Go on a sound hunt: find things at home with sh, ch or th (shoe, chair, bath).
- Write sh, ch and th on three cards. Say a word and let your child hold up the right card.
- Remind your child: when two letters make one sound, tap them together.
With Hannah's lessons
Practice here after sh, ch, th and the rest have come up in Hannah's 120 lessons or her Phonics Reading Boot Camp. Her lessons set the order; use the cards for the sounds she has taught.
📖 Read in 120 Lessons🎯 Phonics Boot Camp
Hannah's lessons may bring in sounds in a different order. Follow her order, and use the step here that matches what she has taught.
The new sounds, and how to say them
- sh as in shipFinger to your lips: “shhh.” Two letters, one sound.
- ch as in chickA short, quick sound, like a little sneeze: /ch/, not “chuh.”
- th as in bathTongue peeks out between the teeth. th has two sounds, as in thin and this. Both are right.
- wh as in whaleMost Americans say wh just like w, as in whale.
- ck as in sockTwo letters, one sound: /k/. ck comes right after a short vowel, as in sock.
- ng as in ringA hum at the back of the mouth, as at the end of ring. You can hold it.
- nk as in bankn before k says /ng/, so nk sounds like the end of bank.
Heart words for this step
Heart words are common words with a part that doesn't follow the rules your child knows yet. Sound out the regular parts, and learn the ♥ part by heart.
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