What are split digraphs?

Split digraph is a common term used to describe spellings such as a-e in cake, i-e in time, o-e in home, u-e in cube and e-e in these. In Phase 5, pupils learn to recognise these patterns quickly and apply them when reading and spelling.

Because the letters are separated by another letter, pupils often need extra practise spotting the pattern in longer words and choosing the correct spelling when writing.

Split digraph worksheets and split digraph words

Our split digraph worksheets help pupils practise reading and spelling split digraph words with increasing confidence. You’ll find activities that support:

• reading split digraph words accurately
• spelling words containing a-e, i-e, e-e, o-e and u-e
• applying split digraph patterns in captions and sentences
• building fluency through repeated practise

For sentence-level practise, use our split digraph complete the sentence worksheet, which encourages pupils to decode, choose the correct word, and reread for meaning.

For structured practise across key spellings, our Phase 5 split digraph activity mats provide focused tasks for e-e, i-e, o-e and u-e.

a-e, i-e and e-e split digraph worksheets

Teachers often look for targeted practise for specific spellings, particularly a-e, i-e and e-e. This collection includes activities that help pupils spot the pattern in words, read the word accurately, and apply the spelling confidently in writing.

Split digraph teaching support

If you want a ready-to-teach input, our Phase 5 lesson presentation on split digraphs supports clear modelling, guided practise and a smooth move into independent work.

Support confident reading and spelling in Phase 5

Split digraph patterns appear constantly in Year 1 reading and spelling. Use these resources to help pupils recognise the pattern quickly, read words more fluently, and choose spellings more accurately as they progress through Phase 5 phonics.