Sight Words: Why They're So Important

Sight Words are words that are usually a combination of the most frequently read words in the English Language, and words that cannot be sounded out phonetically that are essentail to reading. These are often words that just need to be memorized! They help create reading fluency, and help students to read smoother!

The list I LOVE and use with my parents is Mrs. Perkins list found HERE!  These words are essential for reading fluency, and many of my First Grade students master ALL of the lists by the end of the year. So, please do not feel that you have to wait until the child is in 2nd or 3rd grade to go over those lists. These are just a starting point!

Also, there are many fun ways to learn these words!

Spatula/Fly Swatter Game
Write the words your child is learning on index cards, and turn them over.  Have hubby or an older brother or sister join in the game, by each holding a spatula or fly swatter. You call the word, and whoever hits it with their spatula/swatter first gets one point! Add these points up at the end of the game and see who wins (We play this with my son ALL the time, and hubby throws the game each time so that we can cover more words!).

Dry Erase Board
Most kids LOVE to write on dry erase boards.  Have your child write their words on the dry erase baord, or play hangman with these words!

Sidewalk Chalk
When the weather is nice, have students use sidewalk chalk to write their words on the ground. 

Memory
Make two copies of each word, and have your child try to find a match. Whoever has the most matches wins the game!

Websites:
Here are some sites to help you master sight words with your child!
http://www.mrcpl.org/literacy/lessons/sight/index.html
http://www.netrover.com/~kingskid/sightword/dolchgames.htm
http://www.sightwordsgame.com/sight-word-games/
http://www.starfall.com/n/matching/sight-words/play.htm?f


Memory