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Phonics - Split Digraphs
Adding an 'e' to a word can change the sound.

Phonics - Split Digraphs

Split digraphs are secret letter helpers that change vowel sounds. Spotting a-e, i-e, o-e and u-e turns tap into tape and hug into huge.

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Fascinating Fact:

Split digraphs remind us to check for word families, like bake, cake, make, which all share the same strong pattern.

In KS1 English Phonics, children learn that a split digraph happens when a consonant comes between two partner letters, like a and e in cake. This pattern usually makes the vowel say its name and helps readers unlock many related words.

Key Terms

  • Split digraph: Two letters that make one sound but are split by another letter, like a-e in cake.
  • Vowel: A, E, I, O and U, the letters that make open mouth sounds in words.
  • Word family: A group of words that share the same pattern, such as bake, cake and make.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a split digraph in KS1 phonics?

A split digraph is when two letters work together to make a long vowel sound but are split by a consonant, for example a-e in cake or i-e in time.

How do I teach split digraphs to young children?

Start with simple pairs like tap and tape, use word cards and highlighters, and ask children to spot the hidden helper letter that changes the vowel sound.

Why do split digraphs matter for reading and spelling?

Split digraphs help children recognise patterns that turn short vowels into long vowels. This makes it easier to decode new words and choose accurate spellings in their writing.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .
How do we show the magic e sign?
e
'e'
o_e
ee
When talking about magic e we include the _ sign to show that a letter comes between the vowel and the magic e.
2 .
Which of these words could you add a magic e to?
but
hit
not
put
The word 'not' turns to 'note', which could be a letter or a musical note.
3 .
Which of these words could you add a magic e to?
bear
grass
hut
cub
If you add a magic e to cub, you change the word to 'cube' which is a 3D square shape.
4 .
Which of these words could you add a magic e to?
pin
grin
skin
chin
The picture is of a pinecone, which grows on trees.
5 .
Which of these words could you add a magic e to?
bap
map
tap
lap
When you add a magic e to 'tap', you change the word to 'tape'.
6 .
She is playing a flute. What family of sounds does the magic e belong to in the word 'flute'?
ey
ay
oa
oo
This 'oo' sound is like 'boo' and 'too' not 'book' and 'took'.
7 .
These girls are playing a game. What family of sounds does the magic e belong to in the word 'game'?
ee
ai
ow
ue
The magic e turns the 'a' sound into the 'ai' sound.
8 .
This picture was taken on Christmas Eve. What family of sounds does the magic e belong to in the word 'eve'?
ie
or
ee
au
Christmas Eve is the day before Christmas.
9 .
This dog has a bone. What family of sounds does the magic e belong to in the word 'bone'?
or
oa
au
ai
Bone and loan rhyme. If a word is in the same phonetic sound family then the words usually rhyme.
10 .
Look at the time. What family of sounds does the magic e belong to in the word 'time'?
ie
ou
ee
ea
If there was no magic e, the word would say Tim, which is a popular name for boys.
You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Phonics digraphs and trigraphs

Author:  Finola Waller (MEd, Primary School Teacher & KS1 English Quiz Writer)
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