Digraph Reading Fluency

Overview

Unit: Blends and Digraphs Mastery
Lesson 9 of 16
Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 20 students
Age Group: Primary 3-4 (7-9 years)
Country: England

National Curriculum Links

English KS1/KS2 (Years 3-4) - Reading - Word Reading:
Pupils should be taught to apply their growing knowledge of root words, prefixes and suffixes (etymology and morphology) to read aloud and to understand the meaning of new words they meet (National Curriculum, English, Years 3-4).
English KS1/KS2 - Reading - Comprehension:
Develop positive attitudes to reading, and understanding of what they read, by:
- Listening to and discussing a wide range of fiction, poetry, plays, non-fiction and reference books or textbooks.
- Preparing poems and play scripts to read aloud and to perform, showing understanding through intonation, tone, volume and action.
Spoken Language:
Encourage clear articulation and expression when reading aloud.

Learning Objectives (WALT)

WALT:

Read passages containing key digraphs with increased fluency and accuracy.
Identify and recognise digraphs within the context of sentences and short texts.
Demonstrate understanding of digraph sounds through expressive reading.

Success Criteria

By the end of the lesson, pupils will:

Confidently read aloud texts that feature digraphs such as "th", "sh", "ch", "wh", and "ph".
Show improved pace and accuracy during reading.
Correctly identify digraphs within the text during group discussion.
Use expression and intonation to aid comprehension and engagement.

Resources Needed

Age-appropriate reading passages rich in digraphs (dyslexia-friendly fonts and layouts).
Flashcards of common digraphs.
Laminated sheets with digraph word lists for reference.
Whiteboard and markers.
Audio recording device/tablet (optional, for playback).

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

Recap: Briefly revisit the sound of key digraphs taught in previous lessons ("th", "sh", "ch", "wh", "ph"). Use flashcards and quick choral repetition to warm up.
Explain WALT and Success Criteria: Display for class visual reference.
Link to prior learning: "Remember how these letter pairs work together to make one sound? Today, we will practise reading words with these sounds in full sentences and small passages."

2. Guided Reading Fluency Activity (15 minutes)

Activity: Group and Paired Reading with Digraph Passages

Divide students into pairs, grouping according to reading ability for differentiation.
- Support group (low ability and dyslexic learners): Use shorter passages with high visual support, larger font, dyslexia-friendly layout, and highlight digraphs in colours. Use paired reading (adult or peer reading together).
- Main group (average readers): Standard passages of approximately 60-80 words containing a wide range of digraphs. Read aloud alternating paragraphs.
- Advanced group: Passages including less common digraph-related vocabulary; practise reading independently before reading aloud expressively to the pair.
Encourage students to underline or highlight digraphs as they read silently first, then practise reading aloud.
Teacher walks around providing feedback on pronunciation, fluency and expression.

3. Whole-Class Discussion and Digraph Identification (5 minutes)

Bring attention back to the whiteboard.
Ask volunteers to write down words from their passages that contain digraphs, identifying which digraph.
Discuss tricky words and correct articulation together.
Reinforce how recognising digraphs helps with reading fluency and understanding.

4. Plenary and Assessment (5 minutes)

Formative assessment:

Quick read-aloud round robin: Each student reads one sentence from their passage aloud to the class.
Use a rubric to note fluency, accuracy, and expression.
Provide immediate positive feedback and tips for improvement.

Self-assessment:

Students tick off their success criteria sheet.

Differentiation Strategies

Learner Type	Strategies
Low ability / Dyslexic	Dyslexia-friendly fonts and pastel colour highlights; paired reading; chunking sentences; use of multisensory aids (e.g., air-writing digraphs).
Average readers	Independent reading practice; verbal feedback to build confidence.
Advanced learners	Challenge with extended passages; prompt to identify and explain rare or tricky digraphs; perform expressive reading to the class or in a small group.

Extension Activities (for Advanced Learners)

Compose sentences or a short paragraph using at least five different digraphs and read to the class.
Identify and list digraphs found in their own reading books at home or school.
Create mini flashcards or a matching game of words with digraphs for peers to play.

Dyslexia-Friendly Tips

Use cream or pastel-coloured paper for printed passages to reduce glare.
Choose a sans-serif, dyslexia-friendly font like OpenDyslexic or Comic Sans.
Break reading material into smaller chunks to improve focus.
Highlight digraphs with a consistent, soothing colour code.
Offer oral repeated reading models by the teacher or audio recordings for listening practice before reading independently.

Notes for Teachers

Monitor individual student progress carefully during paired reading—be ready to intervene for pronunciation support.
Encourage positive peer support within pairs to boost confidence.
Use audio recordings to allow students to hear fluent reading models if needed.
Reinforce that learning digraphs helps with reading many new words and improves confidence across subjects.

This lesson builds fluency with digraphs, a key decoding skill explicitly referenced in the National Curriculum’s focus on phonics, word reading, and fluency development in Years 3 and 4. It combines multisensory methods, peer collaboration, and targeted feedback—all to make reading an engaging and supportive experience.