Ch Word Lists for Teaching Reading and Spelling

Learning digraphs is a key step in early literacy, and the ‘ch’ digraph is one of the most common and important to master.

When children understand that two letters can work together to make one sound, it unlocks both reading fluency and spelling confidence.

This guide will walk you through how to teach the ‘ch’ sound effectively, when children typically master it, and provide extensive word lists—including 270 ‘ch’ words—to support both reading and spelling practice.

Ch Word Lists for Teaching Reading and Spelling

Teaching children to read and spell confidently starts with understanding how sounds work in words.

One of the most important early phonics patterns is the ‘ch’ digraph—a combination of two letters that work together to make a single sound.

For many children, mastering ‘ch’ is a turning point.

It helps them move beyond simple letter-sound matching and into blending and segmenting more complex words.

Let’s explore practical strategies for teaching the ‘ch’ sound, along with carefully organised word lists to support both reading development and spelling success at home or in the classroom.

What Is the ‘ch’ Digraph?

The ‘ch’ digraph is when the letters c and h work together to make a single sound, most commonly /ch/ as in chip.

However, it can also make other sounds:

• /k/ as in school
• /sh/ as in chef

For early learners, focus first on the /ch/ sound (as in chair), which is the most consistent and common in beginner texts.

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What Age Is the ‘ch’ Sound Mastered?

Most children begin learning digraphs like ‘ch’ between the ages of 5 and 7 years old, typically during their first years of formal schooling.

Mastery depends on:

• Exposure to phonics instruction
• Practice blending sounds for reading
• Opportunities to segment sounds for spelling

Some children may recognise ‘ch’ earlier, but consistent use in both reading and writing usually develops over time with repetition and meaningful practice.

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Free Printable Placemat

How to Teach the ‘ch’ Digraph for Reading and Spelling

1. Start With the Sound

Introduce ‘ch’ as a single sound:

“These two letters make one sound: /ch/”

Use actions (like a sneezing sound “ch-ch!”) to make it memorable.

2. Blend for Reading

Practice reading simple words:

• ch + ip → chip
• ch + at → chat

3. Segment for Spelling

Say a word like chin and ask:

“What sounds can you hear?”

Help children break it into:

• /ch/ – /i/ – /n/

4. Use Real Words in Context

Reading sentences and short passages helps children apply their knowledge:

• The chick is in the shed.
• I can chop the cheese.

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‘ch’ Words for Beginner Readers

These simple, decodable words are ideal for early reading practice:

chat

chip

chop

chin

check

chest

chick

chum

chug

chap

chad

chub

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Words Starting With ‘ch’

Here is a wide range of words that begin with ‘ch’, progressing from simple to more complex:

chat

chip

chop

chin

check

chest

chick

cheese

chair

chain

chalk

chase

cheek

cheer

cherry

chess

chew

chicken

child

chill

chimp

chin

chipmunk

chocolate

choice

choir

choke

choose

chop

chord

chorus

chow

church

churn

chubby

chuck

chunk

church

churn

chisel

chirp

chive

chock

chomp

chopper

chopstick

chore

chosen

chrome

chronic

chuckle

chug

chump

chunk

churchyard

churned

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Words Ending With ‘ch’

These help children recognise ‘ch’ in the final position:

much

such

rich

which

lunch

bench

branch

crunch

bunch

pinch

punch

hunch

ranch

trench

drench

clench

stench

quench

inch

cinch

winch

finch

lynch

gulch

belch

mulch

bleach

peach

reach

teach

beach

leech

speech

stretch

sketch

fetch

catch

match

latch

patch

snatch

scratch

dispatch

attach

detach

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Complete List of 270 ‘ch’ Words

Here is a comprehensive list for reading and spelling practice:

chat

chip

chop

chin

check

chest

chick

cheese

chair

chain

chalk

chase

cheek

cheer

cherry

chess

chew

chicken

child

chill

chimp

chipmunk

chocolate

choice

choir

choke

choose

chord

chorus

chow

church

churn

chubby

chuck

chunk

chisel

chirp

chive

chock

chomp

chopper

chore

chrome

chronic

chuckle

chug

chump

churchyard

churned

chance

change

channel

chapter

charge

charm

chart

chase

cheap

cheat

checkup

cheerful

chemical

cheque

cherish

chewable

chief

childlike

chilly

chime

chimney

choice

chokehold

choose

chopstick

chordal

choreograph

chorus

chosen

chowder

christen

chrome

chronic

chuckle

churchgoer

churner

echo

anchor

school

stomach

mechanic

monarch

chaos

character

chemist

chorus

ache

backache

headache

stomachache

much

such

rich

which

lunch

bench

branch

crunch

bunch

pinch

punch

hunch

ranch

trench

drench

clench

stench

quench

inch

cinch

winch

finch

gulch

belch

mulch

bleach

peach

reach

teach

beach

leech

speech

stretch

sketch

fetch

catch

match

latch

patch

snatch

scratch

dispatch

attach

detach

sandwich

ostrich

spinach

research

approach

sandwich

watchdog

mismatch

overreach

underachieve

checkpoint

checklist

checkout

cheerleader

cheeseburger

childhood

chinstrap

chocolatey

churchbell

churned

chuckwagon

chunkier

churchman

chattier

cheapest

checking

chipped

chopping

chirping

chugging

chosen

choral

chaotic

chemical

character

machine

brochure

parachute

chandelier

chauffeur

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Why ‘ch’ Is Important for Spelling

Understanding ‘ch’ helps children:

• Represent sounds accurately in writing
• Avoid spelling errors like cip instead of chip
• Recognise patterns in unfamiliar words

It also builds a foundation for learning more complex spelling rules later.

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Simple ‘ch’ Practice Ideas

• Sound Hunt: Find ‘ch’ words in books
• Word Building: Use letter tiles to make ‘ch’ words
• Say It, Tap It, Write It: Segment sounds before spelling
• Sentence Building: Use multiple ‘ch’ words in one sentence

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When ‘ch’ Says /k/

Help children recognise this pattern by explaining:

“Sometimes ‘ch’ doesn’t say /ch/—in some words, it says /k/ instead.”

You can also:

• Group these words separately from regular ‘ch’ words
• Highlight the Greek connection for older learners
• Encourage noticing patterns like “sch” in school and scheme

These words often include letter patterns like ch, chr, or sch (as in school).

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‘ch’ Words Making the /k/ Sound

Here is a useful list you can use for teaching and practice:

Common Words

school
echo
stomach
ache
anchor
chaos
chemist
chorus
character
scheme
schedule
schooling
mechanic
monarch
orchestra
technical
technology

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Words Beginning With ‘ch’ (/k/ sound)

character
chemist
chorus
chrome
chord
chaos
chemist
chameleon
chiropractor
chlorine
choral
chromatic
chronic
chronicle
chronology

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Words With ‘ch’ in the Middle or End (/k/ sound)

ache
echo
stomach
anchor
school
scheme
mechanic
technical
architect
orchestra
epoch
hierarchy
arachnid
anarchy
stomachache
backache
headache

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When ‘ch’ Says /sh/

When ‘ch’ makes a /sh/ sound, it is often found in French-origin words. These are usually less decodable for beginners, so they’re best introduced once children are confident with the regular /ch/ sound.

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‘ch’ Words Making the /sh/ Sound

Common Words

chef
chalet
machine
brochure
parachute
champagne
chandelier
charade
crochet
ricochet

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Words Beginning With ‘ch’ (/sh/ sound)

chef
chalet
chaperone
chamois
chiffon
chic
chauffeur
chagrin
champagne
chivalry (note: some dialects may pronounce this closer to /ch/)

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Words With ‘ch’ in the Middle (/sh/ sound)

machine
brochure
parachute
cache
moustache
niche
pastiche
quiche
avalanche
panache

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Words Ending With ‘ch’ (/sh/ sound)

cache
niche
quiche
ricochet
crochet
avalanche
moustache

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Teaching Tips for the /sh/ Sound

• Explain that:“Sometimes ‘ch’ can make a /sh/ sound in special words.”
• Teach these words as “rule breakers” or “special words” rather than expecting children to sound them out.
• Group them separately from:
  • Regular /ch/ words (chip, chat)
  • /k/ words (school, echo)
• Encourage visual memory and repeated exposure through reading rather than heavy spelling drills at first.

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Simple Way to Explain All Three ‘ch’ Sounds

You might summarise it like this for children:

• /ch/ → chip (most common)
• /k/ → school (Greek words)
• /sh/ → chef (French words)

CVC at Home Reading & Spelling Program

Ch Word Lists for Teaching Reading and Spelling

The ‘ch’ digraph is a small concept with a big impact.

When taught clearly and practised regularly, it strengthens both reading fluency and spelling accuracy.

Keep practice playful, consistent, and connected to real reading—and you’ll see children begin to recognise and use ‘ch’ words with confidence.