Digraphs are two letters that make a single sound, as in CH (chip), SH (ship), TH (this), WH (when), and PH (phone). Digraphs are essential phonics patterns that bridge single-letter sounds and more complex spelling patterns. Most structured literacy programs introduce digraphs in late kindergarten or early 1st grade.
LUCA's digraph stories are validated against 763,000+ grapheme-phoneme mappings (LUCADictionary, U.S. Patent No. 12,394,332 B2). Validated by NSF SBIR funding (3% acceptance rate). Developed in partnership with Carnegie Mellon University.
For the full LUCA Digraph word list, visit /kids-words/digraphs/. The word list page includes a printable PDF, decodable sentences, and teaching tips.
From LUCA's Sports cell for 2nd and 3rd Grade. Placeholder name “Alex”.
Alex was on the football team. The team had a big game. Alex was set to throw the winning pass. His friend Jan was the coach. "You can do this, Alex!" Jan said. Alex ran to the field. He held the ball tight. The other team came at him fast. Alex threw the ball as far as he could. His teammate caught it. Touchdown! The team ran to Alex and gave him a big cheer. Alex had made the play of the day.
Read more sports stories for 2nd and 3rd Grade →LUCA includes digraph practice in these grade bands. Pick a theme to start.
2nd and 3rd Grade
97.4% decodable · avg 79 words
SoundScout identifies whether your child is struggling with the digraph pattern specifically.
Digraphs are two letters that make a single sound, as in CH (chip), SH (ship), TH (this), WH (when), and PH (phone). Digraphs are essential phonics patterns that bridge single-letter sounds and more complex spelling patterns. Most structured literacy programs introduce digraphs in late kindergarten or early 1st grade. Digraph Stories are decodable stories built around this phonics pattern, used in structured literacy to give children connected-text practice with the pattern they have just been taught. LUCA's digraph stories are validated against 763,000+ grapheme-phoneme mappings (U.S. Patent No. 12,394,332 B2).
Digraph words are typically introduced in 2nd or 3rd grade in structured literacy programs aligned with the Science of Reading. The exact timing depends on the program (UFLI Foundations, Wilson Reading System, Orton-Gillingham approach), but the systematic phonics scope and sequence puts digraph in roughly the same place across major programs.
Yes. LUCA's digraph stories use systematic phonics sequencing and phoneme-level precision, both of which match the Orton-Gillingham approach the International Dyslexia Association recommends. SoundScout listens at the phoneme level, identifying exactly which sound your child is struggling with. This is particularly valuable for dyslexic readers practicing patterns like digraph.
Start with the LUCA digraph word list at /kids-words/digraphs/. Read 10 to 15 digraph words aloud together. Then read a LUCA digraph stories story together. Have your child read the story aloud while you listen. Re-read familiar stories 2 to 3 times to build fluency. The LUCA app version listens at the phoneme level and adjusts the next story automatically.
Sample stories are free to read on the cells linked below. Free printable PDF bundles are available by email signup on each cell's printable landing page. The full LUCA experience, where every story stars your child by name and LUCA listens at the phoneme level to adjust practice, requires a free trial at luca.ai/playground (no credit card required).
Free trial. No credit card. Pick a theme, enter your child's name, and start reading.
Start Free Trial
.png&w=48&q=75&dpl=dpl_HqUT1jjQ6bjhQmV5k8s5mDcM82ty){kind=small}
