Sight words are the most commonly used words in the English language. They include such words as - if, but, and, the and many more. These words hold our language together and do not usually add much specific meaning to the context. They are important for early readers to know automatically so as to maintain reading fluency. Sight words, or high frequency words, are not meant to be analyzed or sounded out, just learned by sight.
There are many different high frequency word lists produced over the years. My favorite is the widely used Dolch Sight Word List. It has been used in schools for years and the list is not too long, just 220 words. Make up word cards using the Dolch list , about 4 words per A4 sheet is a good size, laminate them and have some fun playing sight word games and activities. A set of laminated sight word cards is very useful and important addition to your teacher resources.
1. Play the Battleships game as a whole class or with a partner. Place the words on a grid instead of the battleships.
2. Play coin toss - words on floor - children take turns to toss a coin onto a word and say that word.
3. During the conferencing or editing stages of children's writing, have a box of mini blank cards available. These are about 10cm x 3 cm. Children use these cards when looking for words on word wall, boxes, on charts, in story books, to write the words on. They then take these smaller versions back to their writing to edit their spelling.
4. Play the game - What am I? - I am red, I have 3 letters, and I start with n.
5. Make a letter twister chart with chalk on a concrete floor, children place their feet and hands on the letters to spell words.
6. Children make their own word wall / dictionary using photocopied small words and scrapbooks labeled with a letter of the alphabet on each page... can be added to throughout the year
7. Use the sight words to play a game of - hangman.
8. Count how many times certain sight words can be found in children's reading books, or whole class big books.
9. Play dominoes using same end letter / beginning letter. Children love these sorts of hands-on sight word games.
10. Using an erasable pen - children practice their letter recognition by drawing a ring around certain letters on the laminated sight word cards.
11. As a class or in small groups, play the game - Chinese Whispers - one child picks a word card, looks at it and whispers it around the circle. Last person has to find the card with that word on it.
12. Using erasable marker pens, children find different phonic blend such as wh, ee, ay within the laminated words.
13. Using chalk on concrete, children practice writing the sight words.
14. Turn handwriting practice into sight word games by using erasable pens for children to trace over the letters of the laminated sight words.
15. Place words in alphabetical order.
Make sure a set of laminated sight words becomes an integral part of your teaching resources arsenal. I have used my set forever. They were always available to the children and were never just tucked away - only to be seen during - look and say - sessions. Make use of sight word games to make it fun.
Now, go and have some fun with those sight words!