LESSON 43: Digraph ch /tʃ/

Help Your Child Learn to Say, Spell, and Read the Digraph “ch”!

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re learning the consonant digraph ch, which spells the sound /tʃ/—as in chip or chick. In this lesson, your child will learn how to say the /tʃ/ sound, understand how ch works as a digraph, and practice reading words, phrases, and sentences using this sharp, bouncy sound.

What Is the Sound of ch?

The digraph ch spells the sound /tʃ/—a quick, unvoiced sound like a little sneeze or a cheerful “choo!”

Here’s how to help your child say it:

• Place the tip of your tongue close to the roof of your mouth—like you’re about to say /t/.

• Release a small puff of air while rounding your lips slightly.

• Keep your voice off.

• Say it quickly: /tʃ/

Try stretching it out: /tʃ/ – /tʃ/ – /tʃ/

What Is a Digraph?

A digraph is when two letters work together to spell one sound.

The digraph ch is made of c and h, and it spells the sound /tʃ/. We usually find this sound at the beginning or end of words.

Examples:

• chop = /tʃ/ /o/ /p/

• lunch = /l/ /ʌ/ /n/ /tʃ/

We don’t use ch in the middle of base words unless it ends a syllable.

Let’s Practice Reading Words

Blend and read these words with the ch digraph:
rich – chest – chap – chop – bench – brunch – quench – such – chick – chip – chuck – bunch – clinch – trench – inch – check – chug – chin – hunch – crunch – ranch

Model:

• “/tʃ/ – /ɪ/ – /p/” → chip

• “/l/ – /ʌ/ – /n/ – /tʃ/” → lunch

Let’s Practice Reading Phrases

• a red branch

• a big bunch

• a crisp chip

• chop and munch

• check the bench

• a big chest

Ask:
“Can you point to the word that starts with /tʃ/?”
“Can you stretch out the /tʃ/ sound?”

Let’s Practice Reading Sentences

I had a chip and a lunch.
Chum and I check the chest.
The bench is on the ranch.
I pinch the soft chin.
You chop the big branch.

Have your child point to each word, sound it out, and reread smoothly.

Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences

Mini-Story 1:
Chum and I had a big lunch.
Chum and I sat on the bench to munch.
A chick ran up to the bench.
Chum said, “Check the chick!”
The chick had much to munch.
It was a fun lunch!

Mini-Story 2:
Chuck and I went to the ranch.
I had a map to the chest.
Chuck and I saw the chest and gave it a punch.
The cash was in the chest.
It was fun!
Chuck and I sat on the bench to rest.

Encourage your child to retell the story using their own words, using as many ch words as they can.

Color, Trace, and Write

Use printable worksheets where your child can:

• Color pictures of ch words (e.g., chip, chick, chest)

• Trace and write the digraph ch

• Sort pictures by where the /tʃ/ sound appears (beginning or end)

[Download the ch Worksheet Here]

Flashcards – Beginning and Ending Sound Focus

Use flashcards to practice hearing and identifying the /tʃ/ sound.

Examples:

• chick

• chip

• bench

• ranch

Ask:

• “Where do you hear /tʃ/ in this word?”

• “What letters spell that sound?”

[Download ch Flashcards – Beginning and Ending Sound Set Here]

Conclusion

The digraph ch helps us spell words with a sharp, cheerful sound—like chip, chick, and chop. With clear articulation, blending practice, and hands-on reading, your child will soon spot and spell ch words with confidence.

Ask your child:

“Can you say a /tʃ/ word and clap as you say it?”