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Trigraphs Worksheets

All About These 15 Worksheets

Trigraphs, often known as three-letter combinations that represent a single sound in a word, are a critical element of phonics and early literacy education. Understanding and mastering trigraphs is essential for young learners, as they are foundational to reading, spelling, and language development.

To empower students with the skills needed to navigate trigraphs effectively, we proudly present a collection of Trigraphs worksheets. These worksheets have been thoughtfully designed to provide students with structured and engaging opportunities to practice and refine their understanding of trigraphs.

What are Trigraphs Worksheets?

Trigraphs Worksheets are educational resources designed to help students practice and learn about trigraphs, which are groups of three letters that together represent a single sound or phoneme. Examples of trigraphs include “igh” in “night” and “tch” in “match”.

These worksheets often include various activities, such as matching, sorting, or writing exercises, that focus on identifying and distinguishing between words that contain trigraphs.

What Is A Trigraph?

A trigraph is a single sound made by a combination of three letters. These three letters can be consonants, vowels, or a combination of both. For example, in the word ‘catch’, ‘tch’ at the end are three letters, but they make only one sound.

Some more examples of trigraphs are:

– ear in the words hear, disappear, beard, spear
– igh in the words sigh
– air in the words fair, chair, stair, hair
– are in the words dare, glare, care, bare
– ore in the words bore
– eau in the words chateau, plateau, gateau

Some trigraphs are read as a single word on their own! A few examples are:

– owe
– awe
– ewe
– aye
– eye

Here, the letters ‘w’ and ‘y’ act as a vowel.

Consonant Trigraphs

Consonants Trigraphs are groups of three consonants with words that make a new consonant sound.

Examples of Consonant Trigraphs

1. Sch

Schedule, scheme, schematic, scherzo, schism, scholastic, schizophrenic, schlock, schlep, schmooze, scholar, scholarship, schooner, school, schoolroom

2. Scr

Scrap, scram, screenwriter, screw, scramble, scrapbook, scrape, scribble, scribe, scrappy, scratch, scream, screech, screen, screwball, screwdriver, scrimmage, scruples, scrawl, scrawny, scrutinize, scrutiny

3. Shr

Shred, shrank, shrapnel, shrew, shrift, shrill, shrewd, shriek, shrine, shrink, shrimp, shrivel, shroud, shrug, shrunk, shrub

4. Sph

Sphere, sphagnum, sphincter, spherical, spheroid, sphinx

5. Spl

Splat, splash, splay, spleen, splashdown, splendid, splendor, splatter, splinter, splice, splint, split, splurge, splutter, splotchy

6. Spr

Sprawl, sprain, spread, sprang, spray, spree, sprig, spreadsheet, spring, springtime, springboard, springbok, sprinkle, sprinkler, sprite, spritz, sprint, sprocket, sprout, spritzer, sprung, spry, spruce

7. Squ

Squab, squabble, squalid, squad, squadron, squalor, squall, squash, squat, squander, square, squawk, squeal, squeamish, squeak, squelch, squib, squeegee, squid, squiggle, squeeze, squire, squirm, squint, squirt, squish, squirrel,

8. Str

Strut, straight, strand, strange, strain, strait, stroke, strap, straw, strong, struck, streak, strum, strung, stream, strawberry, stray, street, strength, stress, stretch, strict, string, stripe, strobe, stroll

9. Thr

Throw, thrash, thread, thrush, thrust, threat, three, threw, thriller, thrive, thrice, thresher, thrift, throat, throb, throne, throng, throttle, through

Vowel Trigraphs

Vowel Trigraphs are the three letter groups made up of vowels only, i.e, a,e,i,o,u.

Examples of Vowel Trigraphs:

1. Eau

Beau, bureaucracy, beauty, bureaucrat, chateau, bureaucratize, beautiful, beautician, bureaucratic, beauteous, portmanteau, tableau, plateau, bureau

2. Eou

Advantageous, curvaceous, cretaceous, herbaceous, gorgeous, outrageous, rosaceous, courageous

3. Iou

Atrocious, capricious, gracious, judicious, contagious, infectious, religious, nutritious, precious, ambitious, cautious, expeditious, superstitious, litigious, egregious, prestigious, suspicious, vicious, pretentious

Combination Trigraphs

Trigraphs that use a combination of vowel and consonant letters are called combination trigraphs.

Examples of Combination Trigraphs:

1. Igh

High, sigh, night, right, tight, delight, fight, might, thigh, fright, midnight, spotlight

2. Dge

Badge, dodge, fudge, bridge, wedge, smudge, judge, hedge, porridge, dungeon

3. Eer

Deer, beer, cheer, meerkat

4. Ere

Here, there, where, sincere, cashmere, atmosphere

5. Oor

Door, moor, floor

6. Our

Your, four, mourn, course, armor, glamor, humor, flavor, neighbor

7. Ure

Cure, lure, endure, sure

8. Oul

Should, could, would

9. Ore

Store, chore, more, wore

The Importance of Trigraphs

Understanding and mastering trigraphs is of great importance for several reasons:

  1. Reading Proficiency: Accurate recognition and pronunciation of trigraphs are fundamental for fluent reading. They enable students to decode words correctly and comprehend text effectively.
  2. Spelling Competence: Proficiency in spelling words with trigraphs enhances students’ overall spelling skills. When they can accurately identify and use these combinations, they are better equipped to spell words correctly.
  3. Phonemic Awareness: Recognizing and manipulating trigraphs fosters phonemic awareness—the ability to identify and manipulate individual phonemes (sounds). This skill is crucial for literacy development and reading comprehension.
  4. Vocabulary Growth: Learning and using words with trigraphs exposes students to a wider range of vocabulary, enriching their comprehension and language skills.

This collection of Trigraphs worksheets is a valuable resource for educators and parents committed to supporting their students’ phonics and literacy development. Proficiency in recognizing and using trigraphs is a foundational skill that opens doors to reading fluency, comprehension, effective spelling, and vocabulary growth.

By using these engaging worksheets, students will strengthen their ability to recognize and use trigraphs with confidence. This collection is an investment in their future success, ensuring they have a solid foundation in phonemic awareness, phonics, spelling, and vocabulary.