difference blends, digraphs

Does our squirrel have a fluffy tail?  
Watercolor by Hans Hoffmann

Our ABCs have two kinds of letters: vowels and consonants. The vowels are: a, e, i, o, u, y. The consonants are all of the other letters.

Consonants can work together in teams called digraphs and blends.

Th, wh, sh, ch, and ph, gh are consonant teams that melt together to make a special sound. This group is called digraphs.

In consonant blends each letter keeps its own standard sound and blends with other consonants; like st in star, stand. Also, str as in street, streak. There are many two and three-letter consonant blends.

Realize your child is learning to twist his tongue to form the complex sounds in consonant blends, such as sq and fl. It is good to have your child hear you make the sound so that he can aim toward that sound.

After reading a story with your child, go back and look over the pages for words with consonant blends. Being good at seeing that specific letters work together in special teams will help your child get control of reading work.

Look at this list with your child. Can your child find the consonant blends?

1) dream       3) prick            5) squirrel      7) scream

2) growl        4) squeal          6) flea            8) blue


I now use ebay as my website. Search Instant Reading Help all my books will pop up. All books are brand new, include my contact info so you can email or call for help. All use color pictures and stories to weave phonics, sight words, and comprehension into fun and powerful lessons.  

Answers: 1) dr; 2) gr; 3) pr; 4) squ (u is always with q);  5) squ;   6) fl;  7) scr;  8) bl

Please feel welcome to ask a question or leave a comment. Have a great day reading with your child. Mary Maisner