What Is a Phonogram? Definition, Examples, and Why It Matters in Reading

Children need to understand how sounds and letters work together. A phonogram is an important part of this process. It helps children learn to read and spell. This article will explain what a phonogram is. It will also explain why it is important and how to teach it.

What Is a Phonogram?

A phonogram is a letter or group of letters that represents one or more sounds. For example, the letters “sh” together make the /sh/ sound, like in “ship.” The letter “a” can make the /a/ sound in “cat” or the /ā/ sound in “cake.”

Each phonogram helps link written letters to spoken sounds. These sounds are called phonemes, and they are the smallest parts of spoken language. When children learn to connect phonograms to sounds, they start to recognize word patterns. This builds a strong foundation for reading.

What Is a Phonogram in Phonics?

In phonics learning, understanding what a phonogram is is just as important as mastering other figurative language skills, such as those explained in What is Hyperbole and Metaphor for Kids. A phonogram is a key part of learning to read. It refers to a letter or combination of letters that stand for a specific sound or set of sounds. When children begin phonics lessons, they often start by learning simple phonograms such as “s,” “a,” or “t.”

In other words, it is a tool that helps students decode words by linking sounds to symbols. Each phonogram allows readers to sound out parts of a word. For example, once a student knows the phonogram “ch,” they can read words like “chat,” “chop,” and “chip” with more confidence.

Why Phonograms Matter for Kids?

Here’s what makes phonograms so powerful in the reading journey:

Phonograms help children read more smoothly. Once they learn one, they can say the sound quickly without guessing. This makes reading faster and more accurate.

Knowing phonograms also supports spelling. Students begin to understand why certain words are spelled a certain way. When they hear a sound, they can match it to one they have already learned.

This method is especially helpful for struggling readers. Phonograms give them rules to follow, so they feel more in control. Learning to read becomes a step-by-step process, not a guessing game.

This essential part of phonics instruction helps children connect sounds to written symbols. At WuKong Education, we provide comprehensive English Language Arts (ELA) programs that integrate phonograms into engaging lessons. Our WuKong ELA curriculum uses phonogram examples and interactive activities to help students build strong reading and spelling skills from an early age.

Phonogram Examples You’ll See in Real Life

Common Early Phonograms

Some phonograms have only one letter. For example, the letter “a” sounds different in “apple,” “acorn,” and “father.” Others have more than one letter. The letters “th” make the /th/ sound in “think.” They also make the /TH/ sound in “this.” The letters “ee” make the /ē/ sound in “tree.”

There are harder phonograms too. The letters “ough” can make many sounds. In “though,” they sound like /ō/. In “through,” they sound like /oo/. In “rough,” they sound like /uff/. Other examples include “kn” in “knife” and “ph” in “phone.”

Knowing these examples helps students read harder words. It also helps them understand big words in school books.

Teaching Phonograms: Strategies & Activities

Effective Teaching Strategies

Phonograms are easy to learn with the right method. Teachers can show a card with the phonogram. Then they say the sound. The student writes it down while saying the sound too.

It is important to teach all the sounds a phonogram can make. For example, “ea” can sound like /ē/ in “eat,” /ĕ/ in “head,” and /ā/ in “great.” Students learn to read better when they know all the choices.

Decodable books help students use phonograms in real reading. These books have only words that the student has already learned. This helps students build reading skills and feel more confident.

Short review lessons help students remember them. Practice helps make learning stick. It also helps students read more smoothly.

For structured phonics support, Wukong ELA offers targeted phonogram‑based lessons for K-5 readers.

Fun and Engaging Phonogram Activities

Inspired by parent‑friendly learning platforms, try these to boost practice:

Phonograms can be fun to learn. Students enjoy games and movement.

Parents can make a memory game. One card shows the phonogram. Another card shows a picture or a word. Children match the pairs.

Hopscotch is also a good idea. Each square has a phonogram. The child jumps and says the sound. Parents can also find them on signs, books, and boxes. This helps review in daily life.

Games like phonogram bingo and “Simon Says” make learning fun. Students learn better when they see, hear, and move at the same time.

FAQs About Phonograms

When should children start learning phonograms?

Children can begin as early as preschool if they are ready to hear and repeat sounds.

How many phonograms are there?

Most foundational lists include around 70. Some advanced ones include even more. These might include rare sound combinations or patterns in longer words.

Do older students benefit?

Absolutely, explicit phonogram instruction can significantly help with multisyllabic words. Learning how to break down long words into parts helps them read with more ease.

Are phonograms only for English?

No. They are also helpful in other languages, such as Spanish and French. This makes learning them useful for multilingual readers.

Final Thoughts

Phonograms are the building blocks of reading. By understanding the relationship between letters and sounds, children develop strong decoding and spelling skills that support long-term literacy growth. Whether your child is just learning to read or working through more advanced texts, phonogram instruction provides clarity and confidence.

At Wukong ELA, we believe in building strong foundations through structured, engaging, and research-based teaching. Phonograms are a key part of our literacy curriculum, helping learners from kindergarten through fifth grade grow into fluent, thoughtful readers.

Demi

I am an educator from Yale University with ten years of experience in this field. I believe that with my professional knowledge and teaching skills, I will be able to contribute to the development of Wukong Education. I will share the psychology of children’s education and learning strategies in this community, hoping to provide quality learning resources for more children.