15 Sight Word Games - Just for Fun
Sight words are the most commonly used words in the English language. They include such words as - if, but, and, the and many more. These words hold our language together and do not usually add much specific meaning to the context. They are important for early readers to know automatically so as to maintain reading fluency. Sight words, or high frequency words, are not meant to be analyzed or sounded out, just learned by sight.
There are many different high frequency word lists produced over the years. My favorite is the widely used Dolch Sight Word List. It has been used in schools for years and the list is not too long, just 220 words. Make up word cards using the Dolch list , about 4 words per A4 sheet is a good size, laminate them and have some fun playing sight word games and activities. A set of laminated sight word cards is very useful and important addition to your teacher resources.
1. Use grid paper to place sight words on a fixed grid 10 x 10 is a good size. Play battleships as a whole class or work with partners.
2. Scatter the sight words onto the floor. A button or coin is tossed onto the words. Children shout out the word that the button lands on.
3. During the conferencing or editing stages of children's writing, have a box of mini blank cards available. These are about 10cm x 3 cm. Children use these cards when looking for words on word wall, boxes, on charts, in story books, to write the words on. They then take these smaller versions back to their writing to edit their spelling.
4. Who am I? Game - I have 4 letters, I am green, I end in the letter s.
5. Children have a great time playing these types of sight word games. Play twister using a letter chart drawn with chalk on the concrete. Children spell out the sight words using their legs and arms.
6.Photocopy small versions of the sight word lists. Children then make up their own alphabet book or word wall in their scrapbooks. This can be an ongoing project, with words being added to alphabet pages throughout the year.
7. Use the sight words to play a game of - hangman.
8. How quickly can you find a certain word in individual reading books during small group reading.
9. Use your laminated sight word cards to play dominoes with the same end letter - beginning letter.
10. Whiteboard pens can be used on the laminated word cards to circle certain letters within the sight words.
11. As a class or in small groups, play the game - Chinese Whispers - one child picks a word card, looks at it and whispers it around the circle. Last person has to find the card with that word on it.
12. Using erasable marker pens, children find different phonic blend such as wh, ee, ay within the laminated words.
13. Children go outside and practice writing their words with chalk on the concrete.
14. Use the laminated sight words for handwriting activities. Children trace over the words with the whiteboard pen.
15. Place words in alphabetical order.
Make sure a set of laminated sight words becomes an integral part of your teaching resources arsenal. I have used my set forever. They were always available to the children and were never just tucked away - only to be seen during - look and say - sessions. Make use of sight word games to make it fun.
Now, go and have some fun with those sight words!
Article Source: http://www.search-raven.com
About the Author
Donna is a retired early years teacher with a passion for developing hands-on quality educational resources. Check out 86 more ideas for sight word games and general hands-on downloadable teacher resources at her early years Teacher Resources website.
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by: Donna
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