Concentrating on Sight Words
Promoting Reading and Writing Fluency
Stage of Literacy Development:
Stage 1: Beginning LiteracyStage 2: Consolidation / Fluency
Ages:
4-9
Grade Range:
K 1st 2nd 3rdFood Groups:
Primary:
Reading Fluency & Expression, Spelling & Word Study
Activity Description
Preparation:
-
Prepare word cards
- Record 10-15 grade-appropriate high frequency words on cards
- Each word needs to be recorded on 2 separate cards
Implementation:
-
Introduce the game by showing the students the cards
- Invite students to read some of the words
- Each word needs to be recorded on 2 separate cards
-
Have students play the game
- Place the cards on a table with the words facing down
- The first player selects 2 cards by turning them over
- If the cards contain the same word the student gets to keep the pair
- If the cards do not contain the same word the student should flip the cards back over
- Continue playing by having all of the students take turns
Adaptations For
English Language Learners/ESL:
- Provide matching pictures or symbols
- Provide opportunities to exaggerate each sound of the word
- During practice saying letter sounds in isolation, point to your mouth and tell student to look and say correct response
LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:
- As the student reads the words on the cards, provide him/her with prompts by saying the first sound in the word
- Provide regular opportunities to practice reading high frequency words
- Have students record high frequency words in a personal dictionary
Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:
- Allow students to make personal connections to words
Differentiated Instruction:
- Use flexible and mixed ability groupings
- Repeat the instructions throughout the game
- Provide visual cues that show the steps of the game
Related References
Evidence:
Conrad, N.J. (2008). From reading to spelling and spelling to reading: Transfer goes both ways. Journal of Educational Psychology, 100, 869-878.
Activity Objective
The goal of Concentrating on Sight Words: Promoting Reading and Writing Fluency is to help students to commit irregularly spelled high frequency words to memory in order to support fluent reading and writing.
What You Need
Prep Time:
20 minutes
- Prepare word cards
Task Time:
20 minutes
- Teacher introduces game
- Students play game
Materials Required:
Teacher:
- Word cards
What You Do
Teacher Role:
Direct instruction:
- while introducing game
Facilitator:
- while students play game
Student Grouping:
Small groups:
- during introduction of game and playing of game
Assessment Ideas:
- Make observations and record anecdotal comments with respect to students' ability to correctly recognize the words
- Use a checklist to track students' ability to recognize the given words
- Meet one-on-one with students 3-4 times throughout the year and have them read the grade-appropriate list of high frequency words
a. Use a class list to track their progress
Quick Tips
Activity Extensions:
- As students find a matching pair, have them create a sentence that contains the word
- Create copies of the word cards for students to take home
a. Include a letter to parents outlining the game instructions and the importance of recognizing high frequency words
Additional Comments:
- As students turn over cards, have them read the word aloud. Prompt the student if necessary by saying the first sound in the word.
- High frequency words or sight words are words that occur most often in printed material. Direct students' attention to these words during read-alouds and shared readings.
- Discuss the importance of recognizing high frequency words by sight and the direct impact of this recognition to reading fluency.
- Keep these words displayed on a word wall for students to refer to during writing tasks. The more often students are exposed to high frequency words the more likely they will be able to commit the spelling of these words to memory.
Other Adaptations/Modifications:
- Strategically seat students who may require cues to refocus
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