ABZ Learning Game

Digraph Detectives

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Digraph Detectives: Learn and Master Consonant Digraphs

Use your mouse or touch to select the correct digraph based on the image shown on the screen.

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Digraph
Detectives
Digraph Detectives' Cover Image

Digraph Detectives — Crack the Digraph Case

Digraph Detectives turns letter-sound sleuthing into a picture-clue mystery. Kids look at an image, then pick the digraph — "sh," "ch," "th," or "wh" — that matches the word it shows. It's a fast, focused way to build decoding accuracy and reading fluency for early readers.

Keywords: digraph detectives, consonant digraphs sh ch th wh, phonics decoding game, picture-word matching, early reading fluency, K-2 literacy centers, structured literacy, classroom Chromebook iPad game.

Why it works

  • 🕵️

    Clue-based learning

    Every round pairs a picture with a decoding choice, so kids connect sounds to real words, not just letters.

  • 🔤

    Four key digraphs

    Focused practice on "sh," "ch," "th," and "wh" — the digraphs most early readers need to master first.

  • 🏆

    Instant feedback

    Immediate right/wrong response after every pick keeps attention high and reinforces correct sound-spelling links.

  • ⭐

    Earns ZPoints

    Signed-in students bank ZPoints for finishing a round, adding a light reward loop to phonics practice.

How to play

  1. 1 Hit Start to begin the case file.
  2. 2 Look at the picture clue on screen.
  3. 3 Tap or click the digraph that correctly completes the word shown.
  4. 4 Keep solving rounds until the case is closed, then collect your reward.

Who it's for

Great for K-2 classrooms, phonics centers, small-group intervention, and at-home practice with beginning and struggling readers who are learning consonant digraphs.

What you can target now

  • Digraph: sh
  • Digraph: ch
  • Digraph: th
  • Digraph: wh
  • Picture-to-word decoding

Standards alignment

Aligned to Common Core ELA Foundational Skills for early grades.

  • RF.1.3 / RF.2.3 Know and apply grade-level phonics and word analysis skills, including common consonant digraphs
  • RF.K.3 Demonstrate basic knowledge of letter-sound correspondences

FAQ

Is Digraph Detectives free?

Yes, it's free to play. Sign in to save progress and earn ZPoints.

Which digraphs does the game cover?

The game focuses on the four most common consonant digraphs: "sh," "ch," "th," and "wh."

Does it work on school devices?

Yes — it runs in modern browsers on Chromebooks, iPads, and computers.