Wondering how to teach sight words? Today’s post is for you!
This post contains affiliate links.
In the past few weeks I’ve received a number of emails from readers asking me how to teach sight words.
Recently I found an excellent procedure in the (amazing) book, The Next Step Forward in Guided Reading. Jan Richardson suggests a simple process for teaching sight words.
I’ve adapted it just a bit to use with my Five, who has rapidly added new sight words to his reading toolbox in the last few weeks. This method will work well in one-on-one or small group teaching.
I recommend the following supplies:
- A dry erase board for each student (magnetic would be nice, but ours isn’t)
- A dry erase marker for each student (we like these low odor markers)
- Magnetic lowercase letters – this classroom set is worth every penny, for school or home
- A blank index card
How to teach sight words
STEP 1: Write the word in full view of your learners. I like to use a small dry erase board.
STEP 2: Use an index card to cover up the word. Then reveal it one letter at a time. Have your learner name each letter as it is uncovered.
STEP 3: Write the word with a dry erase marker. Invite your learner to name the missing letter or fill it in with a magnetic letter (we LOVE this set!). Erase and repeat several times with different letters missing.
STEP 4: Give your learner the letters he needs to make the word. Then have him unscramble the letters to form the word. Have him mix up the letters and make the word once or twice more.
STEP 5: After he’s formed the word, have your learner name each letter, pushing them up one at a time.
STEP 6: Have your learner “finger write” the word while looking at it.
STEP 7: Cover the word with an index card. Then have your learner write it with a dry erase marker. He can take a peek at the word if he’s stuck on a letter.
STEP 8: Review on subsequent days as needed. We usually review the word in this way:
- I write it, and my Five reads it.
- My Five makes the word with magnetic letters.
- We review previously learned words on flash cards or with a game, such as Sight Word Memory.
Questions you may have
1. Should I follow this exact procedure every time?
No – just do what works for your learners. I’ve never done every single step exactly in a row. There’s nothing magical about this; it’s just a suggested sequence of steps.
2. How many sight words should we focus on in one sitting?
Normally I wouldn’t teach more than 2-3 words at a time. However, if you’re working one-on-one and your student is learning the words rapidly without frustration, feel free to add a few more.
3. Why doesn’t this method use flash cards?
I think flash cards can be good for review, but they are not a good method for actually teaching the words. Children needs hands-on learning, and this method offers that.
4. What sight words should I teach?
Google “Dolch words” and consider starting with the Preprimer list and working your way up. Don’t teach the list in alphabetical order. Instead, start with the words that are easy to sound out, such as “am.” You might also like this sight word list from This Reading Mama.
If you are supplementing the learning your child is doing in school, ask his or her teacher for a list of sight words to learn.
5. What about worksheets?
I use very few worksheets with my learners because I have not found them to be as effective as manipulatives and games. However, if your learners enjoy them, feel free to grab my free sight word worksheets below. Just remember that worksheets don’t teach; they assess. Use them for review and reinforcement after you’ve taught the words in a hands-on way.
Do you have our sight word books yet?
Try these ideas for hands-on learning!
© 2017 – 2018, Anna G. All rights reserved.
Shirley Schwemm says
I hope to use these, but from what I can tell, both sight word bonus worksheets are the same.
Anna Geiger says
No, they are different. One is the preprimer list and one is the primer list.
Kristina says
This is fantastic. I am going to use it with my child that struggles with spelling, not just sight words. This just might be the key for her. Thanks for sharing.
Anna Geiger says
I hope it works for you, Kristina!
Marwa says
thanks alot , It’s really fun ,
Anna Geiger says
You’re welcome, Marwa!
Susan says
Thank you so much for this idea. I’m going to try it out.
Anna Geiger says
You’re very welcome, Susan!
heather r pendarvis says
Hello.
I like these worksheet ideas. We do homeschool and we have lessons to follow everyday and certain words and don’t use all of these. Do you have a blank copy of this so that I may is the to go with my child’s lesson plans everyday?
Thanks so much
Heather Pendarvis
Anna G says
No, I don’t have any editable sight word worksheets at this time.
Brittany says
Does my child need to know all sounds to learn sight words, since they are learned by sight. we are working on learning to read and thought adding sight words would be helpful.
Anna G says
No, probably not. For example, many kids can recognize words by sight just after seeing them all the time – like their names or the word STOP, but they may not know all their letters and sounds.
Dawn says
Ann
I need the worksheets for sight words / or primer sight words that you dot or color. I can’t get the old website to send them to my email.
I’m doing a major review these next couple of weeks
Thanks Dawn
Anna G says
You can grab those for free in the subscriber library. 🙂 Just check for the link and password at the bottom of a recent newsletter.
Bertha Jobes says
I’m looking at your sight word procedure. Do you vary the words by letters or just randomly choose words that are long and short?
Anna G says
This will vary for every teacher and the sight words they are required to teach. If you have a lot of freedom here, I would choose words that occur most frequently in their reading. Some people use the Dolch word list to help with this – another good option is to look at the Fry’s word list to see which words appear most in their reading.
Carrie K. says
Just printed all of theses to use like you showed in a picture frame with the dry erase marker. My 5yo is struggling with sight words and this looks like a great simple tool to add in a few each night! Thank you for this!
Anna G says
You’re welcome, Carrie ! :))
Bertha says
Thanks so much for sharing I will use this to help my daughter who is 5 yr
Hemlata says
Thank you very much. All information share by you is really very helpful.
Kate Dowling says
You’re welcome, Hemlata! So glad this is helpful!
Kate, Anna’s assistant 🙂