How to Teach Trigraphs DGE & TCH
If your students know how to read words with consonant digraphs, they are ready to learn how to read trigraphs. However, I typically teach them after covering more common phonics elements, like vowel teams and diphthongs. Consonant trigraphs are three consonants that make one sound when next to each other. The two most common consonant trigraphs are DGE and TCH.
Since there are only two common consonant trigraphs, you can typically teach them both in one week.
Day 1
Tell students that they already know that two letters can work together to make one sound, and that this week they’ll be learning that three letters can work together to make one sound too. When the letters TCH are next to each other, they say /ch/. Show a picture of a match and say /m/ /a/ /ch/. Show or write the word match, and explain that we can spell the /ch/ sound with CH or TCH. TCH is used following a short vowel, like in match. Repeat with the /j/ sound and a word with DGE, such as bridge. Explain that when the /j/ sound comes at the end of the word, we use the trigraph DGE. After modeling, lead students in guided practice of reading more words with DGE and TCH. Then, practice reading fluency sentences together that contain words with trigraphs and other mastered words. You can find the needed picture cards, word cards, and fluency sentences in my Phonics by Design Trigraphs Mini Unit.
Day 2
Briefly review what you taught yesterday, and then tell students they’ll be practicing writing words with TCH and DGE today. Show a picture card with a trigraph, such as catch. Model segmenting the word (/c/ /a/ /ch/) and then writing each corresponding letter/trigraph to write the word on the board or chart paper. Explain that you know to use TCH (rather than CH), because catch has the short vowel /a/. Continue with other picture cards, having students segment the sounds as a group or taking turns. Finally, have students practice on their own by dictating words to them and having them write them down. You can also dictate a few short sentences that include only known words and trigraphs.
Day 3
Today students will independently practice reading and writing words with the trigraphs DGE and TCH. I use the activity sheets included in my Phonics by Design Trigraphs Mini Unit and in my No Prep Pack.
Day 4
Review reading and spelling words with DGE and TCH before introducing a simple trigraphs matching game they can play in pairs. Spread out the cards in a grid face down. When it’s their turn, the student will turn over two cards and identify the pictures and/or read the words. If it’s a match, they keep the pair. If not, they put the cards back, face down. Students alternate turns until all pairs have been matched. The student with the most pairs wins. You can find the trigraph matching game in my Phonics by Design Trigraphs Unit.
Day 5
Assess students by dictating ten words with DGE or TCH and having them record them. If you have time and a small enough group, you may also wish to have individual students read a few words with DGE and TCH for you as well.
This lesson plan schedule for teaching consonant trigraphs is simple but effective!
Save yourself time by snagging everything you need to teach consonant trigraphs in one place with my Phonics by Design Trigraphs Mini Unit. You’ll get all the materials mentioned in this post (picture cards, word cards, fluency sentences, activity sheets, matching game), plus posters, flap books, and more! Snag it here.
No time to read now?