Sight Words

Sight words are words that your child needs to be able to look at and read without sounding out. The words listed below are the words that your child needs to know by the end of first grade. During first quarter they are expected to know 50 words, 75 at second quarter, 90 at third quarter, and all 100 by the end of the year.

The more of these words your child knows and the quicker he/she can identify and say them, the faster their reading skills and confidence will increase! You can do several activities with them:

Speed drills – See how many words they can get in a certain amount of time (40 words in a minute, for example).
Beat the Clock –Set the timer and see how long it takes to say all or a group of sight words. Then the next time try to beat that time!
Challenge a sibling/friend – Show a sight word card and the first person who says it correctly gets to hold onto the card. The person with the most cards at the end of the game wins!
Find It! – Find sight words in books, magazines, newspapers, on signs, food items, etc. Find the word anywhere you can!
Practice writing and saying the sight words as you write them.

I know that motivation and excitement may be a concern/challenge as well. Using incentives works well for us in class. For example:

Each time they practice sight words they earn a sticker/star on a chart. Make a goal and a reward for reaching that goal.
If they practice to the best of their ability, reward them with something extra (10 more minutes to play video games, play outside, or an extra snack).

Most importantly, do not over-practice. WHAT? Yes, there is such thing as too much. Students will start to regress or get burnt out if they are drilled every single night and/or have to do too much in one night. I would recommend about 10 minutes of practice 3-4 times per week. Reading is supposed to be fun and enjoyable, and if the kids are stressed it will not be!

Thank you for all of your help at home. All of your hard work and your child’s hard work will make their reading skills and strategies SOAR!

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