- Definition
A grapheme is the written letter or group of letters that stands for a single sound in a word. For example, the sound "f" can be written as "f" (as in "fun") or "ph" (as in "phone").
In the word 'ship,' the letters 'sh' are the grapheme for the first sound.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: A grapheme is like a picture of a sound, drawn with one or more letters.
Ask your child: Look at the word 'fish.' What letters make the last sound?
Common mix-up: Kids may think one sound is always spelled with one letter. A single sound can be spelled with one letter or a team of letters working together.
Examples
- The letter 'p' is the grapheme for the first sound in 'pig'.
- In 'chick,' the letters 'ch' work together as the grapheme for the first sound.
grapheme is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
