Basic 6 · Ghanaian Language · Phonics
Reading Words with Digraphs in Sentences and Paragraphs
In this topic you will read and recognise words with digraphs in sentences and paragraphs and use them correctly in spelling.
By the end of these notes you should be able to:
- Recognise digraphs in connected text
- Read sentences and paragraphs with digraphs fluently
- Spell words with digraphs correctly
What you already know
- Digraphs (Basic 5)
Copy everything that has a blue line on its left into your notebook. The other parts are for reading.
- Strand
- Reading
- Sub-strand
- Phonics
- Indicator
- B6.2.4.1.1-3 – Read and recognise words with digraphs in sentences and paragraphs
Introduction
In Basic 5 you learnt that a digraph is two letters that make one sound. Now you will find and read digraphs in longer sentences and paragraphs.
1. Review of Digraphs
| Language | Digraphs | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Akan (Twi) | dw, gy, hw, kw, ky, nw, ny, tw | dwom (song), gyata (lion), hwɛ (look), kwan (road), nwoma (book), nyansa (wisdom), twa (cut) |
| Ewe | dz, ts, gb, kp, ny | dzo (fire), tsi (water), gbe (voice/language), kpɔ (see), nyɔnu (woman) |
2. Reading Digraphs in a Paragraph (Twi)
Example
Find the digraphs: "Kwame ne Nyarko kɔɔ kwan so. Wɔtoo dwom. Nyarko kaa sɛ, 'Hwɛ gyata no!'"
- Kwame: kw
- Nyarko (twice): ny
- kwan: kw
- dwom: dw
- Hwɛ: hw
- gyata: gy
Answer: Digraphs: kw, ny, kw, dw, ny, hw, gy
3. Reading Fluently
- Scan the paragraph and underline all digraphs.
- Practise the difficult words aloud, saying each digraph as one sound.
- Read the whole paragraph slowly, then at normal speed.
- Read with correct tone and expression.
4. Spelling with Digraphs
When you hear one of these sounds, remember to write both letters. A common mistake is writing only one letter, for example "kan" instead of "kwan". Make a word bank in your exercise book with columns for each digraph and add new words as you read.
| dw | ky | nw | tw |
|---|---|---|---|
| dwom | kyɛ | nwoma | twa |
| adwuma | kyerɛ | nwene | twerɛ |
Common mistake: Do not split a digraph across two syllables when reading; "ny" in "nyansa" is one sound.
Reading many storybooks, songs and newspapers in your Ghanaian language is the best way to become quick at recognising digraphs. The more often you see a word, the faster your eyes and mouth learn it.
New words
- digraph
- Two letters that make one sound.
- connected text
- Sentences and paragraphs, not single words.
- fluently
- Smoothly and correctly.
- word bank
- A collection of words grouped for study.
- spelling
- Writing words with the correct letters.
- syllable
- A unit of sound in a word.
Summary
- Digraphs appear in words throughout sentences and paragraphs.
- Underline digraphs and practise difficult words before reading.
- Always write both letters of a digraph.
- Keep a digraph word bank.
Class activity: Digraph Reading Race
- Your teacher gives a paragraph in your Ghanaian language.
- Circle all digraphs in two minutes.
- Read the paragraph aloud to your partner without mistakes.
You need: Locally made letter cards, Word cards with pictures of local objects, Bottle tops marked with letters
Exercises
Answer in your exercise book first, then check your answers.
1. A digraph is…
- A. two letters making one sound
- B. one letter
- C. a sentence
- D. a full word
Show answer
Answer: two letters making one sounde.g. kw.2. In "Kwame", the digraph is…
- A. kw
- B. am
- C. me
- D. wa
Show answer
Answer: kwOne sound.3. The Twi word for "book" is…
- A. nwoma
- B. dwom
- C. kwan
- D. gyata
Show answer
Answer: nwomaBegins with nw.4. Both letters of a digraph must be written.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: Truee.g. kwan, not kan.5. "Ny" in "nyansa" is two separate sounds.
- A. True
- B. False
Show answer
Answer: FalseIt is one sound.6. The Ewe word "tsi" begins with the digraph ______.
Show answer
Answer: tsIt means water.7. Write four Twi words with different digraphs.
Show answer
Answer: dwom, gyata, kwan, nwoma (or others).Any correct four.8. Find the digraphs: "Kwame ne Nyarko kɔɔ kwan so."
Show answer
Answer: kw, ny, kwThree digraphs.
Homework
- Write a short paragraph in your Ghanaian language with at least six digraph words and underline them.