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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 2.4

Step-by-step English Level 2: Starting a written word with sh or ch

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

2.4

Starting a written word with sh or ch

Level 2
Choose the digraph that starts a word, Spell a picture name with sh or ch

When you write a word, the first two letters may be sh or ch. Write them together.

Spell shed as s, h, e, d. Spell chin as c, h, i, n.

Check the first two letters before you choose the rest of the word.

Key ideas

  • Write sh or ch as a pair, not separately.
  • Spell from the first sound to the last.
  • Check the picture name.
Worked example 2.4.1
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, e, h, d

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    shed
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    sh - e - d
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    shed
  4. Write the answer.
    shed

Check. Read the letters back: sh - e - d. They make shed. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Worked example 2.4.2
Which two letters begin the word shop? Choose from the list. A sh B th C ch Choose A, B or C.

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

  1. Read each choice. Check which one fits.
    sh / th / ch
  2. Find the one that fits. shop starts with sh. Those two letters make one sound.
    sh is choice A
  3. Write the answer.
    A

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

Watch out. Read every choice before you decide.

Worked example 2.4.3
Put these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, c, h, i

Method. Say the name slowly, then write its letters in order.

  1. Say the name of the picture slowly. Say each sound, first to last.
    chin
  2. Put the letters in order. Start with the first sound.
    ch - i - n
  3. Read the letters from left to right. Check the word matches the picture.
    chin
  4. Write the answer.
    chin

Check. Read the letters back: ch - i - n. They make chin. ✓

Watch out. Each letter goes in the order of the sounds, not in alphabetical order.

Watch out

Watch out: sh and ch must stay together. Do not write s, h, and then a separate letter h.

Exam tip

Grown-up tip. Ask the child to write sh or ch as one unit, then the rest of the word. Accept neat letters.

Exercise 2D  Practice: starting a written word with sh or ch

1
FWhich two letters begin the word chest? Choose from the list. A th B sh C ch Choose A, B or C.
2
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, h, s, i
3
FWhich word starts with the sound /ch/? Choose ship, chin or shop. A shop B ship C chin Choose A, B or C.
4
FWhich word starts with the sound /sh/? Choose chest, shell or chain. A shell B chest C chain Choose A, B or C.
5
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: s, c, h, e, t
6
FWhich two letters begin the word shell? Choose from the list. A sh B th C ch Choose A, B or C.
7
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: n, a, i, h, c
8
FWhich picture name starts with the letters sh? Look at the letters, not the picture.
mopAshedBantC
9
FWhich two letters begin the word chop? Choose from the list. A sh B ch C th Choose A, B or C.
10
FWhich picture name starts with the letters ch? Look at the letters, not the picture.
appleArugBchinC
11
FPut these letters in the right order to spell the picture name: p, s, h, o

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