I Spy Sight Words

High frequency words are the words most commonly seen within text.  They are words that students must know in order to read the words on the page. These words are common, everyday words. Some can be sounded out easily. Others are more difficult and must be practiced with intentionality to really solidify that word into memory.

How I will teach sight words 
#1. Multi-sensory learning activities
Start by introducing the words. Say them out loud together. Spell them. Then practice reading, writing, building, and creating them using multi-sensory techniques.

Multi-sensory techniques incorporate the use of all the senses (touch, taste, sight, hearing, movement, etc.). By doing this, their brains build new neural pathways because they're using their senses and experiences to make the words memorable.

Some examples of multi-sensory sight word activities include:

Using fingertips to spell them on a rough surface (sandpaper, building bricks, a textured wall, etc.)
Using dough to shape the letters of the word
Shaving cream in a sandwich bag as a writing board

#2. Introduce and teach each word
Students won’t learn new words by osmosis. I am intentional about teaching each word and providing explicit practice in a structured routine

Here’s an example of how I will introduce each word:

Say the word to the students and have them repeat it.
Turn and say the word to a partner.
Spell the word for them and then point to each letter and have them spell it too.
Write the word, saying each letter, and repeat the word when you’re finished spelling. Then have students do the same.
Scramble up the letters and have students put them in the right order and read the word.
Read some short sentences with the word. Give it some context!

#3. Remember to continue to practice the words
Make sure you incorporate known words into the extra minutes in your day.

#4. Always, Always, Always Connect Sight Words to Phonics
For every word I teach the students, we will practice breaking the word down into individual sounds. Explore the letter-sound relationships in the word.

Here’s how we will this with a new word:

Tap out the sounds: use your fingertips to isolate and tap each sound you hear in the word. Count them. How many sounds are there?
Look at the written word. Tap under each letter as you say each sound in the word. We will notice when something seems out of the ordinary and talk about that.
Identify any part that may be “irregular” in the word and talk through it.