Forming Words using Phoneme 'CH' (Digraph ch) | Language Lesson | 4 to 6 Year Old | Primary Level |

Global Montessori Network This language lesson is designed for 4 to 6-year-old children. It guides the children with distinct sounds the phoneme ch produces and how it is used to form different words. The primary skill for literacy development is based on a thorough knowledge of phonemes. Practicing phonemes gives children an edge or lifeline to read, spell, and write many words accurately. Learning about different phonemes also helps the children to avoid inefficient practices to read or spell words with wrong sounds, especially in distinguishing slightly different words like here in ch and tch. In order to master the reading skill, children must first be able to identify phonics and phonemes while reading. What are Phonemes? Phonemes are the basic vocal gestures of a language, recycled to create all of its words. The English language has about 42 distinct phonemes. All the spoken words are constructed from these 42 interchangeable movements of our mouths. A phoneme has no specific meaning or purpose; however, it makes words sound different or change their meaning. Benefits of Learning Phonemes: It helps children to excel in reading It helps to improve vocabulary It helps children to be imaginative and empathetic It improves memory and concentration What is Phoneme ‘ch’ and Its Variations? The sound of the phoneme ch is unvoiced and vocal cords do not vibrate while producing any of the sounds for the phoneme ch. The phoneme ‘CH’ is made of 2 letters, namely c, and h. When these two letters come together, they produce 4 kinds of sounds. Let us understand how and when ch produces these 4 sounds. The phoneme ch produces /ch/ sound: When ch is in the end and comes after a consonant, then it is pronounced as /ch/. For example - church, bench, and punch. When ch is in the end and comes after a vowel team, then it is pronounced as /ch/. For example, teach, preach, beach, etc. The phoneme ch produces the/tch/ sound: When ch is in the end and comes after a one-letter vowel, then it is pronounced as /tch/ sound. For example, catch match, hatch, batch, etc. /tch/ sound will never come at the beginning of a word. The phoneme ch produces /k/ or /kh/ sound: In words of Ancient Greek origin, the phoneme /ch/ spells as the /k/ or /kh/ sound. For example, anchor, chemist, school, etc. If the word starts with "chr" it's most likely to make the /k/ sound. For example, chrome, chrysalis, chronic, chronometer, etc. The phoneme ch produces /sh/ sound: In words of French origin, the phoneme ch produces /sh/ sound. For example - chef, parachute, machine, etc. The words that follow the 3 and 4 rules are often to be learned rather than to be understood. How to Read Words with ch Phoneme and Different Sounds it Produces? In this video lesson, picture cards and movable alphabets are used to help the child make new words using the ch phoneme that produces /ch/ and /tch/ sound. Following the CH Rule 1: Read the following words with /ch/ sound following the above rules: P + or + ch = porch B + en + ch = bench L + un + ch = lunch C + oa + ch = coach L + ee + ch = leech P + ou + ch = pouch In the above examples, the phoneme ch comes at the end of the word and is preceded by a consonant or a vowel team. Hence, it produces /ch/ sound. Following the CH Rule 2: Now, let’s read the below words: P + i + tch = pitch Cl + u + tch = clutch Sw + i + tch = switch Sc + o + tch = scotch Here, the phoneme ch is in the end and succeeds a short vowel, hence, it produces /tch/ sound. Following the CH Rule 3: Now, let us read the following words: An + ch + or = anchor Ch + or + us = chorus Ch + ar + a + c + t + er = character E + ch + o = echo Sch + oo + l = school Chr + o + m + e = chrome The above words are of ancient Greek origin or begin with chr hence they produce the sound of /k/ or /kh/ Following the CH Rule 4: Read the following words with /sh/ sound following the rule 4. Ch + e + f = chef Ch + a + l + et = chalet M + a + ch + in + e = machine These words are of French origin and tend to produce the sound of /sh/ for the phoneme ch. Exceptions of Phoneme ch Rules The English language has exceptions to every rule. Here are some exceptions to the ch rules mentioned above. Read these words: much, detach, ostrich, such, spinach, rich. In these words, the phoneme ch is preceded by a single short vowel, but no -tch is placed at the end. Hence produces the /ch/ sound only. Repeat this activity by asking the child to make different words with this phoneme and add more words to their vocabulary, as shown in the video. Or Watch the video and ask the child to repeat this activity. Encourage them to make different words with ch phonemes and add more words to their vocabulary. For further information visit: https://theglobalmontessorinetwork.or... For more video lessons, visit: https://theglobalmontessorinetwork.or... Video Created by: Joanne Shango