Sight words are words that are recognized instantly. Over the years, different experts have created lists of the most common sight words, most notably, the Dolch List and the Fry List. Sight words are found frequently in the English language, and are often phonetically irregular and difficult to illustrate because they are prepositions, conjunctions or pronouns.
Memorizing a bank of sight words is key to reading fluently. The following games and activities can help children learn sight words. These activities are especially helpful for the reluctant reader or the child with learning difficulties.
Choosing a Sight Word List
There are many different sight word lists available. Children will be more successful when games are played with words from a sight word list that is grouped by grade level. This will prevent frustration. It is not advisable to use alphabetical lists. Lists should have words similar to the words from the Dolch List presented below.
- the
- of
- and
- to
- a
- in
- that
- is
- was
- he
- for
- it
- with
- as
- his
- on
- be
- at
- by
- I
Sight Word Activities and Practice
Sight Word Ring – Write the sight words on 2 inch by 1 1/2 inch pieces of card stock or other poster board. Punch holes in the word cards and attach them with a book ring (available at dollar or stationary stores). Start with ten words, then add three words each time the child masters the current words on the ring. Have the child practice the ring of words three times a day.
Read, Read, Read – Reading is the most natural way to learn sight words. In conjunction with word games, children should continue reading daily. In addition to home and community libraries, free printable books can be found online at Hubbardscupboard.
Sight Word Games
Parents can also encourage children to learn words by engaging them in some word games.
- Bingo – Make Bingo cards with 9 or 16 sight words (one for each player). Then make a deck of cards with various sight words, including the words on the Bingo card. Turn the deck word-side down. Players take turns drawing a card from the deck. The player reads the sight word to see if they have the word on their card. If they don't, replace the word on the bottom of the deck, otherwise cover the word on the Bingo card. The winner is the first player to get a line or full card.
- Memory Game – Play the traditional memory game with handmade sight word cards. Start with 8 pairs, but increase the number of pairs as the child's skills improve. Make sure the child always reads the cards; visual matching, alone, is not sufficient.
- Scrabble/ Upwards/ Boggle – Tactile learners love playing with letter tiles. Relax the rules or invent rules that will allow the child to feel confident and build spelling skills. Perhaps allow the child to build words from all the Upwards tiles. Spell at and ask the child if he can add one letter to make the word bat. Then ask if her could change the word to fat. The more children play with letters, the more comfortable they are with printed material.
- Word Search – Children love doing a word search. Make a word search by hand or use the Puzzlemaker website to create a word find with sight words. Beginners should start with a 7X7 grid and about 10 words. Start with the first ten words on a sight words list and move down the list as the child masters the words. Again, encourage the child to read the words.
For more educational ideas read Kids' Reading Ideas for Summer Vacation and Best Fun, Free, Educational Websites for Kids.
Source:
Lerner, Janet. Learning Disabilities, 7th Edition. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1997.
Linda Wongkee - Linda is an online and print author. She writes about travel and education, her two passions!!
