Digraph Phonics Booklets | SH CH TH NG Montessori Science of Reading

Can your child recognise sh, ch, th and ng in individual words—but still need more practice reading, writing and understanding those words independently?

Learning a digraph is only the beginning.

Children also need repeated opportunities to recognise the pattern in words, decode accurately, spell from a picture and connect the written word with meaning.

These printable Digraph Phonics Booklets give children structured practice with sh, ch, th and ng through three differentiated activity formats.

Children can trace and read words, look at a picture and write the matching word, or read a word and draw its meaning.

This brings together phonics, decoding, spelling, handwriting and comprehension in a simple booklet format that works naturally in Montessori classrooms, literacy centres, intervention and homeschool learning.

📚 What's Included?

This printable digraph resource includes separate booklet activities designed to help children apply their knowledge of:

• sh
• ch
• th
• ng

The current live listing specifies:

• 17 ch words
• 17 sh words
• 11 th words

Three Differentiated Activity Formats

Children can practise each digraph through several levels of support:

• Word to trace or write over + black-and-white picture
• Picture provided + space for the child to write the word
• Word provided + space for the child to draw a picture

This allows you to choose the format that best matches the child's current level of reading and writing independence.

From Recognising a Digraph to Actually Using It

A child may be able to identify sh or ch on a flashcard but still hesitate when that pattern appears inside a complete word.

These booklets help children move through a more meaningful progression:

recognise the digraph → decode the word → write or trace it → connect it with meaning.

That helps bridge the gap between simply knowing a sound pattern and applying that knowledge while reading and spelling.

Why Can Digraphs Be Tricky?

Beginning readers often learn individual letter sounds first.

Then they discover that two letters can work together to represent one sound pattern.

For example:

• sh in ship
• ch in chip
• th in thin
• ng in ring

This can be challenging because children need to stop treating the two letters as completely separate sounds and begin recognising the digraph as a unit.

Repeated practice helps those patterns become increasingly familiar and automatic.

Three Formats for Different Learning Needs

1. Trace or Write Over the Word

This version gives children the greatest level of support.

The child sees the written word and picture, reads the word and traces or writes over it.

This can be especially useful for children who are still developing confidence with:

• Letter formation
• Digraph recognition
• Copying words accurately

2. Look at the Picture and Write the Word

This version increases the spelling challenge.

The child looks at the picture, identifies the word and writes it independently.

They need to:

• Say the word
• Segment the sounds
• Recognise the digraph
• Represent the word in writing

This helps move children from decoding into encoding.

3. Read the Word and Draw Its Meaning

This version turns the task around.

The child reads the word independently and then draws a picture to show what it means.

This helps answer an important question:

Did the child actually understand the word they decoded?

It brings together reading and comprehension in a simple, child-friendly way.

Why Use Booklets?

Montessori booklets give children a compact, purposeful way to apply what they have learned.

After an initial lesson, children can revisit the material independently and work at their own pace.

The booklet format supports:

• Repetition
• Independence
• Choice
• Handwriting
• Fine-motor development
• A tangible finished piece of work

It also works well for literacy centres, small-group teaching, intervention and homeschool lessons.

Why Separate the Digraphs?

Children often benefit from focusing on one spelling pattern at a time before mixing several patterns together.

Separating the digraphs allows children to build confidence with:

• sh
• ch
• th
• ng

before they are expected to discriminate between multiple patterns in the same activity.

This keeps the learning focused and manageable.

What Skills Does This Resource Support?

Children will practise:

• Reading words containing sh, ch, th and ng
• Recognising common digraphs
• Decoding
• Blending
• Encoding and spelling
• Handwriting
• Word recognition
• Vocabulary development
• Connecting print with meaning
• Reading comprehension
• Independent work habits

Move Beyond Simply Recognising the Sound

Children need more than the ability to point to sh and say its sound.

They need opportunities to actually use that knowledge while reading and writing.

These booklets support a clear progression:

identify the digraph → read the word → write or trace it → demonstrate understanding through a picture.

The three formats also allow children to revisit the same skill at different levels of independence.

🌿 Perfect For

• Montessori language shelves
• Science of Reading-aligned phonics instruction
• Structured literacy lessons
• Digraph practice
• SH, CH, TH and NG word work
• Literacy centres
• Independent shelf work
• Small-group teaching
• Reading and spelling intervention
• Handwriting practice
• Homeschool phonics lessons

Help Children Apply Their Digraph Knowledge Independently

Recognising a digraph is an important step—but children also need to decode, spell and understand the words that contain it.

These booklets provide repeated, manageable practice through a simple progression:

recognise the pattern → read the word → write or trace it → show what it means.

That makes them a practical bridge between explicit phonics teaching and increasingly confident independent reading and writing.

Created by Lisa, a Montessori-trained teacher, NZ registered teacher, school principal and former homeschooler. My resources are designed with real learners in mind—including neurodivergent children—and focus on practical, affordable, low-prep materials that support independence.