Sight Words that Stick
A Systematic Approach
Week 1
*Kindergarten 5 minutes (Introduce 1 word a week)
*First & Second Grade 10-15 minutes
*(1st Grade 2-3 New words a week and 2nd Grade 5 new words a week)
Monday
Present new words, show examples in books, discuss special features
Student Response
clap it, slap it, or snap it
Cheer
Write it
in their “Sight Word Booklets”
Repeat with the rest of the words
Tuesday
Repeat the same process but review the words in a different order
Wednesday-Friday
Add the words to the word wall
Review all of the words on the word wall
Give clues so students can locate the word on the wall
clap it, slap it, or snap it
Write it
Repeat
To locate the word on the word wall, the basic pattern is always the letter name, then the word’s color.
After Week 1
On-going review
Sight Word Literacy Stations or Guided Reading Word Work
Memory Match
Rainbow Writing
Mix-It Fix-It- Using magnetic letters, students mix and fix the word several times. After, write in your word wall book.
Read the Word Wall
Word Detectives- students use books to find sight words. Highlight using highlighter tape and then record in Sight Word book. Repeat with a different book, page, or word.
Egg-citement- chunks and rimes
Flip Books- chunks and rimes
Word Race- students pick a word chunk. Start the timer (3 min). Write down as many words as you can think of with that chunk.
- Grocery Chunks- using images of environmental print, have the kids identify word chunks. Create a list of other words with the same chunk. Record in your Sight word book.
- Be the Teacher- students quiz each other through a spelling test
- Guess that Word- Students describe the formation of the word and gives hints to their partner
- Let’s Be Creative- Students write a story using as many words wall words
- Letters in My First Name- students write their name vertically and then match two word wall words to each letter in their name
- Letters in Words- students pick the word wall words and then find two or more words that have the same letter as the original word
- Word Wall Toss- Students pass a beach ball to another student and asks him or her to say and spell a word that is on the word wall
- Wordo- similar to Bingo, place word wall words in the game squares
- Words in ABC Order-students pick ten words and place them in the correct alphabetic order
- Go Fishing- Students practice catching "fish" using a magnet. They must read the word correctly in order to keep the fish. Record in Sight Word book.
Benefits of systematic classroom practice
Provides structure
Provides consistent routines
Variety of activities keeps students engaged
Easy system to follow
- Daily reading and writing practice
Picture Gallery
Writing- Active Participation
Personal Word Walls
Dry Erase Board Word Wall
Sight Word Review & Stations
Bibliography
Blackwell, R. & Laman, S. (2013). Strategies to Teach Sight Words in an Elementary Classroom. International Journal of Education, 5 (4), 37-45.
Brand, Max. (2004). Word Savvy. Integrated Vocabulary, Spelling, & Word Study, Grades 3-6.
Campell, D. & Halderman, K. (2000). Word Walls Activities K-3. Teacher Created Materials, Inc.
Jasmine, J., & Schiesl, P. (2009). The Effects of Word Walls and Word Wall Activities on the Reading Fluency of First Grade Students. Reading Horizons, 49(4), 301-314.
Lynch, J. (2005). Making Word Walls Work. New York: Scholastic.
Systematic Sight Word Instruction for Reading Success: A 35-Week Program. Scholastic.
Wagstaff, Janiel. (1999). Teaching Reading and Writing with Word Walls. Easy lessons and fresh ideas for creating interactive word walls that build literacy skills. Scholastic Teaching Strategies Grade K-3.
Your Presenters
Alma Fernandez-Villanueva Northside ISD
Alma.Fernandez-Villanueva@nisd.net
Website: http://nisd.net/
Location: Northside Independent School District, TX, United States