Let’s talk SIGHT WORDS!
My definition: A sight word is a word that a reader reads instantly without having to stop and think of what the word is. Sight words, typically, cannot be sounded out. They are often words that break the sound/spelling pattern rules.
Books geared towards young readers are often FILLED with sight words. AND your child’s reading tests at school are also loaded with sight words, that is why it is so crucial to know sight words.
What is interesting about sight words is that while a good majority cannot be sounded out, some actually can. However, some cannot be sounded out UNTIL the specific sound/spelling pattern in the word has been learned.
Here is an example of a sight word that cannot be sounded out:
The sight word “of”, cannot be sounded out because the “/f/” makes the “/v/” sound. I always told my kids that word “breaks the rules” which seemed to help them understand we couldn’t sound it out.
Here is an example of a word that could be sounded out but might be considered a sight word until the sound/spelling pattern in the word has been learned:
The word “play” is a sight word because it is used and seen frequently in many texts and conversations. Kids learning to read don’t learn the sound/spelling pattern “/ay/” for a few months into learning how to read. But the word “play” is used a lot in text that they read. So “play” is taught as a sight word until they learn the “/ay/” sound/spelling pattern.
There are so many benefits that come from teaching your child sight words!
Sight words are so important for building confident readers! It is easy to get carried away and want to teach a TON of sight words at once. However, I highly recommend slowing it down and only doing a few words a week.
Focus on the set number of words each week that come in your child’s homework folder or in the Reading Noodle program you are following. Put them up in your home so your child can see them daily. I also recommend referencing the “sight word activity ideas” sheet that comes in the parent packet.
I’ve added the Sight Word Activity Ideas PDF here for free for your own personal use as well!
The sight words can be found all throughout the fluency passage and sentences strips in each bag of the Early Elementary Box.
In the Pre-K Box there is a sight word learned each week, and every 4th week packet includes a review game to review all sight words learned up to that point.
Here is one FREEBIE Print to start you off:
Sight Word Speed Read is a fun and easy way to practice sight words fluently and accuracy, meaning practice reading them with speed and few mistakes. Click the link below for your free download!
If you are interested in engaging sight word activities for Pre-K ages, click any of the links below, check out via PayPal, and I will email you the files you selected within 24 hours! If you do not receive an email, please email me at hello@readingnoodle.com so I can get your files to you immediately!
This gives you a taste of activities that come in the subscriptions without buying the subscription.
PRE-K SIGHT WORD ACTIVITIES
You can also just purchase the Pre-K Sight Word Bundle below! It includes all of the activities you have scrolled past PLUS all of the sight words in card form and bubble letter form.
EARLY ELEMENTARY SIGHT WORD ACTIVITIES
The following activities are meant for early elementary students ages 6-8 and correspond to the Early Elementary Reading Noodle box.
Here are two freebies to start you off!
Sight Word Puzzles freebie pdf
Reading Noodle 