Introduction to Learning to Read and Write Grade Appropriate Sight Words

As an ESOL teacher with a master's degree, trained in early childhood education, and with fifteen years of experience, I am ready to share with the little ones research-based activities and strategies that will help them learn how to effectively remember, read, and write Dolch sight words because "Kindergarten is too late".  This interactive direct instruction class has been designed for ESOL and English-speaking students from K-3rd grade. 

Students are able to solve more and more problems, figure out unique ways to do something, and want to find out why - a lot! Learning beyond expected helps the teacher become a strong model, allowing children time to try and work through challenges while the teacher asks important questions or provide support to children's learning. Children's skills in all developmental areas grow with these continued opportunities to be actively engaged in their learning and trusted as a learner. The teacher stays focused on age-appropriate growth and excited learners. 

Five-year-olds continue building on the skills they learned in preschool, building layers of learning and knowledge through practice and novel opportunities - all provided by the teacher as their trusted model and guide. Some concepts previously introduced become easily understood due to continued hands-on learning and repeated opportunities to learn and practice. Children's development of language grows into more understanding of early reading and writing, in preparation for kindergarten. I, as the teacher, introduce sight words in ways that make sense to the concrete mind of a kindergartner and up. Through active learning and your supportive bond and scaffolding, kindergartners build confidence, learn with their whole bodies, and thrive in a predictable, stable classroom environment where they can be independent and trusted learners. 

For the students in 1st and 2nd grade, it will be a stupendous opportunity to review and add to their knowledge of sight words. My teaching style is serious and formal, but playful and relaxed because children learn when they are comfortable in an environment conducive to growth. I am flexible and patient to accommodate ESOL students and various styles of learning. I make the material comprehensible for students who are learning English. 

They will be challenged to maneuver sight words as they are introduced. They will be exposed in multiple ways by watching video clips and practicing the new knowledge in a teacher-made game. This knowledge and the ability to follow procedures will enable them to read and write at an early age. We will start with Dolch sight words. 

1st Week: Each day will be broken down into 40 minutes of class:
Structure: The student writes the ten words for the day
                  The student reads and writes sentences, paragraphs, and a short story. 

1st Day: 10 words
2nd Day: 10 words
3rd Day: 10 words
4th Day: 10 words

2nd Week: 
1st Day: 10 words
2nd Day: 10 words
3rd Day: 10 words
4th Day: 10 words

3rd Week: 
1st Day: 10 words
2nd Day: 10 words
3rd Day: 10 words
4th Day: 10 words

4th Week: 
1st Day: 10 words
2nd Day: 10 words
3rd Day: 10 words
4th Day: 10 words