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Step-by-step practice: English · Level 2Chapter 2 · Consonant digraphs: sh and ch
Step-by-step English Level 2 · Consonant digraphs: sh and ch · Lesson 2.5

Step-by-step English Level 2: sh and ch in the middle and at the end

Part of the Step-by-step English Level 2 consonant digraphs: sh and ch chapter. Chapter overview · whole chapter on one page

2.5

sh and ch in the middle and at the end

Level 2
Find sh at the end of a word, Read a word with sh or ch and find its picture

The digraph sh can also come at the end of a word, as in fish.

Fish has three sounds: f, i and sh.

Look at the last two letters of the word to find sh at the end.

Key ideas

  • sh can come at the end of a word, as in fish.
  • fish has three sounds: f, i, sh.
  • Look at the last two letters.
  • Count sh as one sound.
Worked example 2.5.1
Which picture name ends with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.kiteAfishBpanC

Method. Find the name with the letters in the right place.

  1. Read the name under each picture. Look for the letters at the end.
    A: kite B: fish C: pan
  2. Find the name that ends with sh. Only one name has these letters in that place.
    fish = picture B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. fish has sh at the end. ✓

Watch out. Read the whole name, then check where the letters are.

Worked example 2.5.2
How many sounds are in fish? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    2 / 4 / 3
  2. Find the one that fits. fish is f - i - sh: 3 sounds. Count the pair as one.
    3 is choice C
  3. Write the answer.
    C

Check. Read 3 in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 2.5.3
Which two letters are at the end of the word fish? Choose sh, ch or th. A ch B sh C th Choose A, B or C.

Method. Read every choice, then pick the one that fits.

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    ch / sh / th
  2. Find the one that fits. fish ends with sh, which is one sound.
    sh is choice B
  3. Write the answer.
    B

Check. Read sh in the sentence or list again. ✓

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Watch out

Watch out: sh at the end of a word is still one sound. Count sh as one sound, not two.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to tap once for each sound, counting sh once. Praise the tapping.

Exercise 2E  Practice: sh and ch in the middle and at the end

1
FRead the word: fish. Which picture matches? Choose A, B or C.
ABC
2
FRead the word: ship. Does the picture show ship? Answer yes or no.
3
FRead the word: shell. Does the picture show shell? Answer yes or no.
4
FWhich picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
zipAchainBpigC
5
FHow many sounds are in chain? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 3 B 2 C 4 Choose A, B or C.
6
FHow many sounds are in chest? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 2 B 4 C 3 Choose A, B or C.
7
FWhich word starts with sh? Choose from the list. A chip B ship Choose A, B or C.
8
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: f, h, s, i
9
FHow many sounds are in shop? A pair like sh or ch counts as one sound. A 3 B 4 C 2 Choose A, B or C.
10
FWhich picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
pigAchestBzipC
11
FWhich two letters begin the word shop? Choose from the list. A sh B th C ch Choose A, B or C.

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