Beginning blends clip cards with digraphs included, ready for your literacy centers! Children clip a clothespin or paper clip onto the right answer to show which pictures and letters share the same beginning sound. A black and white version is included too.

Blends are two or more consonants that keep their own sounds when read together, such as the sp in spoon. Digraphs are two letters that make one new sound, such as the sh in ship. Two styles of clip cards give children practice hearing these sounds at the start of words and connecting them to letters, while clipping builds fine motor skills.

With these beginning blends clip cards, you get

• Two styles of clip cards: circular and square
• Clip cards for blends and digraphs, two for each sound
• Color and black and white versions
• Fine motor practice with clothespins and paper clips

Print, laminate and start clipping!

What's Included

• Pages 4-12: Circular beginning sound clip cards, where children clip the two pictures that begin with the same sound as the blend or digraph in the center
• Pages 13-20: Square clip cards for blends (two for each sound)
• Pages 21-22: Square clip cards for digraphs (two for each sound)
• Pages 23-42: Black and white cards
• Pictures such as a skateboard, dragon, blanket, snail, sneaker, spaceship, spoon, stamp and star
• For the PH digraph, clip art is limited, so words with a medial (middle) PH sound are included

Why Teachers Love It

• Two styles in one resource: Circular cards focus on hearing the sound, and square cards focus on choosing the letters.
• Built-in fine motor work: Switching between clothespins and paper clips works different fine motor skills.
• Blends and digraphs together: One set of cards covers both, with two cards for each sound.
• Color or black and white: Print the version that fits your center and your ink budget.
• Durable and reusable: Print on card stock or laminate the pages and use them again and again.

Skills Students Practice

Primary Academic Skills

• Beginning blends: Children find pictures that begin with the same blend, such as sp in spoon and spaceship.
• Digraphs: Children match pictures to digraphs, including the PH sound.
• Phonemic awareness: Saying each picture name helps children listen for the sounds at the start of a word.
• Letter-sound connections: On the square cards, children choose the letters that spell the beginning sound, such as st, sp or sk.
• Fine motor skills: Pinching clothespins and sliding paper clips build hand strength and control.

Secondary Life & Learning Skills

• Following directions
• Maintaining attention
• Working independently
• Building confidence during group participation

How to Use It

Step 1: Print the color or black and white cards on card stock and laminate them for durability. Cut the cards apart and set out clothespins or paper clips.

Step 2: On the circular cards, children say the blend or digraph in the center, name each picture and clip the two pictures that begin with the same sound.

Step 3: On the square cards, children name the picture and clip the matching blend or digraph. Alternate clothespins and paper clips to work different fine motor skills.

Easy Differentiation

Children come to blends and digraphs with different phonics skills. These clip cards are easy to adjust for each learner.

For Children Who Need More Support

• Start with a few cards for one blend at a time
• Say each picture name aloud together before clipping
• Use paper clips first if clothespins are hard to pinch
• Model one card before children begin

For On-Level Practice

• Use the circular cards in a literacy center
• Say the sound and the picture name for each clip
• Have partners check each other's answers
• Mix blend and digraph cards together

For an Extra Challenge

• Label the clothespins with the uppercase letters for students to match. You will need 2 of each beginning sound.
• Use the square cards and choose between similar blends, such as st, sp and sk
• Name another word that begins with the same blend or digraph
• Write the word for each picture

For Speech, OT, ELL or Special Education Support

• Practice target blends and digraphs while naming each picture
• Use the pictures to build vocabulary
• Use the clothespins and paper clips for fine motor goals
• Let children point to the answer when speaking is hard
• Give extra processing time and model each card first

Perfect For

• Literacy centers
• Small groups
• Fine motor centers
• Phonics intervention
• Speech therapy sessions
• Special education classrooms
• Morning tubs
• Homeschool

Standards

These beginning blends clip cards support kindergarten and 1st grade literacy standards in Common Core, the TEKS (ELAR) and the Virginia English SOL (2024):

Common Core State Standards

• CCSS RF.1.2.b: Orally produce single-syllable words by blending sounds, including consonant blends.
• CCSS RF.1.3.a: Know the spelling-sound correspondences for common consonant digraphs.
• CCSS RF.K.3.a: Connect consonants with their most common sounds.

Texas TEKS

• TEKS ELAR 1.2.A.ii: Recognize groups of words that begin with the same spoken onset, such as pictures that start with the same blend.
• TEKS ELAR 1.2.A.v: Blend spoken phonemes to form one-syllable words, including initial consonant blends.
• TEKS ELAR 1.2.B.ii: Decode words with initial consonant blends and digraphs.

Virginia SOL

• VA SOL English 1.FFR.3.A: Decode and encode short vowel words with blends and digraphs.

Add the Beginning Blends Clip Cards to your cart and give your students a hands-on way to hear, find and clip every blend and digraph. Print, laminate and watch phonics and fine motor skills grow together!

These clip cards are also included in the Beginning Blends & Digraphs Mega Pack: Check out the Beginning Blends & Digraphs Mega Pack here

Download Details

Please note: This is a digital download that will be available to you directly after purchase. Nothing will be mailed to you.

You will receive a link to the download in three places

1. On the 'thank you' page after checkout
2. In your email
3. Login on the site here: https://lifeovercsstore.com/account