Snowman Digraph Games Free Printable: Spin and Build a Fort Activity

Make practicing fun this December and January with digraph games free printable. I this digraph games printable kindergarten and first grade students will spin and build a fort while working on wh, sh, th, and ch digraphs. This digraphs activity has a fun snowman theme to make it extra engaging for kids as they improving their phonics skills! Simply download and print the winter phonics pdf file to get started this winter!

digraph games free printable

Make practicing fun this December and January with our free printable digraph games! Designed specifically for kindergarten and first-grade students, these engaging activities will have your little learners spinning and building a fort while working on essential digraphs such as wh, sh, th, and ch.

What makes this digraphs activity even more exciting is its delightful snowman theme, which adds an element of joy to learning. As children recognize and work with these combinations, they will not only strengthen their reading skills but also enhance their decoding abilities. This winter-themed game is a fantastic way to make phonics practice enjoyable!

Parents and teachers alike can easily incorporate this digraph game into their routines, whether at home or in the classroom. It’s a perfect tool to keep children engaged while they improve their phonics skills during the coziest months of the year.

Let’s turn learning into a fun-filled adventure! Download our free printable digraph games today and watch as your child builds their confidence and reading skills, all while having a blast in the winter wonderland of words.

We have lots more winter activities for kindergartners to choose from! Plus don’t miss kindergarten phonics worksheets, literacy free printable worksheets pdf, free winter sight words worksheets, winter writing prompts, and digraph activities.

digraph games printable

Start by scrolling to the bottom of the post, under the terms of use, and click on the text link that says >> _____ <<. The digraph games for kindergarten pdf file will open in a new window for you to save the freebie and print the template.

What is a digraph?

So, what exactly is a digraph? In linguistics, a digraph refers to a combination of two letters that represent one sound. It may seem confusing at first glance, but trust me, you encounter digraphs more often than you realize! Let’s take a closer look:

Digraph Examples:

• “ch” – In words like “challenge” or “cheese,” the letters “c” and “h” come together to create the unique “ch” sound.
• “ph” – This digraph is commonly found in words like “phone” or “graph.” “P” and “h” work together to give us the “f” sound.
• “sh” – When combined, “s” and “h” produce the lovely “sh” sound, often heard in words like “ship” or “shampoo.”

Why does this matter? Well, learning about digraphs helps us understand the English language better and can improve our pronunciation. It can also be extremely valuable for our young learners, as it prepares them for reading and spelling.

Here’s some evidence supporting the importance of teaching digraphs

• A study conducted by researchers Alamina Madhany and Gail E. Joseph at the College of Education, University of Washington, found that introducing digraph activities early in education can significantly enhance students’ phonics skills. [1]
• The National Reading Panel, a comprehensive report issued by the U.S. government, also emphasized the significance of teaching phonics and phonemic awareness, including digraphs, to develop essential reading skills in children. [2]

Ready to work on digraphs with yours students? Let’s take a peak at this fun digraph activity

digraphs activity

Spinner activities add an element of excitement to learning while targeting specific skills. When it comes to teaching digraphs, spinner games engage students and make the learning process enjoyable. They encourage active participation and offer a chance for repeated practice in a playful way.

digraph games

The Snowman Spinner Digraph Game is a fantastic hands-on activity that helps students reinforce their understanding of beginning digraphs in words. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use these task cards effectively in the classroom:

This fun, hands-on snowman activity is perfect for working on ch sh th wh digraphs

Preparation:

1. Introduction: Introduce the Snowman Spinner Digraph Game to the class. Explain that they will be spinning a snowman spinner to identify a beginning digraph and find words that match that digraph.
2. Materials: Ensure that each student has a snowman spinner and the corresponding task cards with words containing beginning digraphs (e.g., words starting with “sh,” “ch,” “th,” or “ph”). Additionally, provide cotton balls or snowball cutouts for covering the words.

digraph games for kindergarten

Let me show you how to play and make use of this fun phonics game!

Implementation:

1. Spin and Identify: Have the students take turns spinning the snowman spinner. As they spin, they should identify the beginning digraph indicated by the spinner.
2. Word Search: Once they identify the digraph, instruct them to find a word on their task card that begins with that specific digraph. For instance, if the spinner lands on “ch,” they search for a word starting with “ch” on their task card.
3. Covering Words: When a student finds a word matching the spun digraph, they cover it with a cotton ball or a snowball cutout. This adds a fun, tactile element to the game.
4. Continuation: Encourage students to take turns spinning the snowman spinner and finding words until they’ve covered all the words on their task card.

Encouragement and Reinforcement:

1. Positive Encouragement: Celebrate each student’s success and participation throughout the activity. Positive reinforcement fosters engagement and enthusiasm.
2. Support and Guidance: Offer guidance and support to students who might need help identifying words or understanding specific digraphs. This personalized assistance ensures everyone stays involved.

Conclusion and Extension:

1. Review Session: Gather the class to review the words and digraphs they’ve worked on. This recap reinforces their learning and provides an opportunity for discussion.
2. Extension Activities: Consider additional digraph-related activities such as creating digraph word charts, playing memory games with digraph cards, or engaging in digraph-themed writing exercises to further solidify their understanding.

By following these steps and incorporating engaging activities like the Snowman Spinner Digraph Game, educators can make learning digraphs interactive and enjoyable while reinforcing essential phonics skills in young learners.