Whether you call them; sight words, high-frequency words, or red words it’s important to young readers that they begin to recognize, read, and use these words within their reading. I’ll also be giving you a variety of different sight word activities for kids that you can try starting today!
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In this post, I will discuss what makes these words so important for beginning readers and how to teach them effectively.
What are sight words?
These are words that readers use again and again (hence the name of high-frequency words). Some examples of kindergarten high frequency or sight words are; to, me, I, a, see, can, and go.
It is important for young readers to be able to read and decipher these words quickly because they will see them throughout multiple different texts.
There are two different kinds of sight words. Some sight words can be decoded using phonics. You’ll notice that words like; for, him, get, and not are sight words that can be decoded after the sounds of letters or letter patterns are taught.
However, other sight words need to be memorized because they do not follow the patterns of the language (e.g. of, the, some). These words must become part of automatic replay within the mind.
Where Do I Find Sight Words?
Most teachers begin by using sight words that are recommended to them by their district, based on curriculums taught. Other teachers use the Fry Sight Words that are universally readily found. I have linked a list of the first 1,000 Fry Sight Words as a printable available here.
If you are a mom looking to introduce your young or early reader to sight words, I recommend asking their teacher what words they are working on in class. Their teacher should be able to provide you a list of words that they are currently working on or that the class is working on together.
It would be beneficial for the child if you could be working on similar words that they are already working on with their teacher. This will help ease confusion and help them continue to learn the words more quickly.
How do I Teach Sight Words?
After you find the list of sight words that you would like to use with your child, I recommend that you break them down. I recommend that you keep a running list of words that your child is working on. You should work on about 2-3 and 3-4 new words at a time.
As they work on words they already know they will continue to build confidence in them. New words that your child is working on will probably be known by memory after about a week or 2 depending on the age of your child. This is also determined by how often they are practicing their words.
I want them to be able to recognize these words within texts, lists, and anywhere else they encounter them. I also review previously learned words as I don’t want them to lose words that they have already gained.
What are Some Sight Word Activities?
You can always ask your child’s teacher for activities with their sight words. Many teachers have a variety of different activities and lessons to support students that are learning sight words.
If you would like your child to continue working on these words during the summer months now is a great time to ask your child’s teacher about this.
Sight Word Activities for Kids:
Shaving Cream
This activity is perfect for a sensory way to practice their sight words. Students are given shaving cream on the table. In the shaving cream they write their words and practice spelling them.
Eventually, the shaving cream will disappear as it is continued to be used or you can wipe it up easily with a paper towel.
Rainbow Write
This activity is fun for students that like to color. You write the words they are working on a paper and then the child writes over the word you wrote with different color crayons, markers, or colored pencils.
I usually have students use 3-4 different colors for this activity. After they are finished it should look like a rainbow.
Crayon, Marker, Pencil
This is exactly what it says, having your child write their words with a crayon, a marker, and a pencil. I have to make sure with this activity that the students are writing the same word 3 times once with a crayon, once with a marker, and once with a pencil before moving to the next word.
Sometimes students will write all of the words on the paper with crayon before finishing the word given. It’s important that they write the same word three times before moving to the next word.
Color The Word
For this activity, you or the child (depending on age and ability) can write the word with bubble or block letters. Then they can color the word. Make sure they color it in order to practice the spelling of the word.
Sand Writing
I love using sand as a sensory tool with my kids in the summer. We have a local park with a big sand box that they love! I like asking them to write their letters with sticks in the sand.
When my kids get a bit older I’ll ask them to write their sight words too. If you have a sand box or better yet- live near the beach, check it out! See if your child can practice writing their sight words in the sand.
When do I Assess Sight Words?
In the classroom setting, I test students on their sight words about every week to week and a half. I want to make sure they aren’t losing any previously learned words and check to see how they are progressing on newly taught words.
I can also change out my students words that they are learning with me when I assess them on their words. This way I know that they are learning and mastering new sight words all the time.
What are some of your favorite sight word activities for kids? I’d love to hear in the comments below!
Love, Ashley E
One Response
Thank you this post is so helpful to me. I can help my grandchildren with their reading skills.