Trigraphs | 15 Hands-On Trigraph Activities | Consonant Clusters
Trigraphs
Ready to teach trigraphs? Check out these 15 hands-on and fun trigraph activities to help your students learn shr, scr, spr, sqr, str, and thr trigraphs or consonant clusters.
His face screwed up into a funny frown. ssss, tttt, rrrr, ong.
“That doesn’t sound right, mom!” he sighed.
I smiled and began to explain that those three letters are called trigraphs and they only make one sound. As he finished reading his book, my mind began to race with ways we could spend some time focusing on trigraphs.
What is a Trigraph?
A trigraph is a group of letters that form a single sound. For example, ‘spr’ makes one sound.
Trigraph Examples
Below is a list of the trigraphs and example words.
- Scr – screw
- Spr – spring
- Str – strawberry
- Squ – square
Trigraphs List
Below is a list of trigraphs. These are consonant trigraphs.
- sch
- scr
- shr
- sph
- spl
- spr
- squ
- str
- the
Trigraph Activities
Here are some trigraph activities I found and came up with.
Trigraph Word Sort Activities
To begin these trigraph word sort activities, we always started with a word sort. There are large rectangles with the trigraph written across them, and this became the pocket for all the words.
The students simply have to glue three sides of the rectangle, leaving the top side unglued. Now they have a “pocket” to stick in their trigraph words.
Next, the students cut out the strips of paper with the trigraphs and pictures on them, and place them in the correct pocket.
Free Trigraph Coloring Page
Our second step was to grab our crayons or colored pencils and enjoy some color time with this free trigraph coloring page. Inside each trigraph outlines are numerous pictures. My little 1st grader enjoyed hunting down the pictures that matched the trigraph on the page and getting to spend some time coloring them in.
Trigraph Spelling Activity
We begin this trigraph spelling activity by pulling out our words from the word sort and reading them. I have my kiddo leave them out, so he can have support as he fills in squares designed to focus on his handwriting.
Trigraph Puzzle
Now that the children have been exposed to the words and pictures a couple of times, it is time to work on some trigraph puzzles.
At the top of each puzzle is a picture. At the bottom is the spelling of the word, and all the children have to do is figure out which letters go where.
Trigraph Word Search
These next two are my first grader’s favorites. He loves searching for words in the midst of numerous letters, and there is such a sense of accomplishment when he exclaims, “I found them all!!”
What makes this trigraph word search a little more challenging is that the actual word is not provided. There are pictures at the bottom of each page, and the students must find those words in the puzzle.
This forces our little ones to know the trigraphs that these words start with, and they have to have a basic knowledge of how they are spelled.
There were a few times that my little man was struggling with a spelling, and we would go back to our word search pockets to help us find the answers we needed.
Trigraph Crossword Puzzle
Our other favorite is crossword puzzles. Once again, a picture is provided and our kiddos must figure out where the word goes and write it in the correct boxes for this trigraph crossword puzzle. Such a simple, but fun way to practice spelling words with trigraphs.
Trigraph Fill in the Blank
These simple trigraph fill in the blank worksheets have children writing the correct trigraphs in the blanks!!!
Trigraph Consonant Cluster Game
After all the seeking and finding of the last two activities, trigraph bump engages children while they read trigraph words and find their pictures.
Trigraph bump is a no-prep game that is fun and easy to play. Simply print out the game page with pictures on it, and print off the spinner. Then grab a pencil, paperclip, and numerous counters that are two different colors.
To begin playing, Players spin the paper clip and may cover up a picture that matches that word.
If there is one marker on a picture they want to cover up they have two options….
a. Bump off that marker if it belongs to their opponent
b. Add another marker, securing that picture
The game ends when all pictures are secured. The player with the most secured pictures wins.
Consonant Clusters Spelling Mat Worksheets
I recently wrote this guest post for consonant clusters spelling mat worksheets on 123Homeschool4Me. All this activity requires is leftover bottle caps and the printable. Now your children will be able to practice spelling all the new words they are learning.
Consonant Cluster Coloring Worksheets
These simple trigraph consonant cluster coloring worksheets are a fun way for children to practice reading words with consonant clusters in them, and if your child likes to color this is an awesome option.
Trigraph Handwriting Pages
These free trigraph handwriting pages have children writing trigraph words and coloring pictures.
Trigraph Worksheets
Sometimes simple trigraph worksheets are needed for morning work, or to provide for a sub. Or maybe you need an independent activity so you can read with another one of your little ones at home.
On those types of days, this activity is your go-to.
Our readers look at a picture, color in the trigraph that matches it, and then writes in the trigraph on handwriting lines to correctly spell the word. It is easy. It is independent. And if you need a grade, this is a great one for that too.
Trigraph Matching Game
This trigraph matching game has students matching flowers. One half of the flower has the trigraph and the other has a picture that is a clue for the word.
Trigraph Little Readers
These cute trigraph little readers from 123Homeschool4Me are a wonderful way to practice reading trigraphs!
Reading Comprehension Trigraph Activities
Finally, we reach the hardest, but probably most important activity these reading comprehension trigraph activities. The youngins are given a story to read with missing trigraph words.
Their mission is to figure out which of their trigraph words best fills the blanks and makes the story complete.
This is one of my favorites because so many skills are taking place…
- Reading
- Comprehension as they have to figure out which words are needed
- Vocabulary – they need to know the meaning of their trigraph words
- Handwriting – Handwriting lines are provided and I require that the words be written correctly on the lines. I can tell you my son does not love this part of it!!
We have thoroughly enjoyed these activities, and my little guy has learned a lot. Instead of funny frowns, I’m now getting, “Hey mom, that’s a trigraph!”
You’ve Got This!
Trigraph Coloring Page Printable
Below is a free trigraph coloring page printable. You can download this printable by clicking on the download button.
