This can be challenging, so be ready to slow down with your child as they try to use their new word in a sentence and give lots of high fives when they can use it correctly. Have your child tell you an original sentence using their new word. Sight words are meaningless until we know how to use these words in our own conversations. For “you” they can point both their hands at you while repeating the word “you” they read from the card. For example, for the word “my”, kids can wrap their arms around themselves and say “my” while looking at the word. Bring a new word to life by creating a movement or gesture to help them build an association to the word.

Act it OutĪll children benefit from acting out words. For the word “in”, you could draw the word “in” inside of a bubble. For example, for the word “my”, you could draw a small girl hugging the letter “y” to show her saying “my!” For the word “it”, you could draw a small creature that looks like a thing or an “it”. If you’re writing sight words on note cards or pieces of paper, add a small picture or detail that might help them remember it. Your child has mastered this new word when they can show you that they can read the word at least 5 times on their own, while its in the context of a book.įor many kids, it’s easier to visualize a picture with a word.Finally, have your child write the word in a notebook.For example: how, “h” tap the shoulder, “o” tap the elbow, and “w” tap the wrist. Next, using the hand they write with, tap each letter of the word down their opposite arm.Have them try to trace it from memory on their last try. Say each letter as you trace it then say the whole word while underlining it. Now, trace the word on the table using their finger.

Then say the whole word while underlining it.

Have your child trace each letter on the flashcard using the back of a pen or pencil, say the name of each letter as they trace it.

Tell your child what the word is, then have them repeat it back to you.

Write a sight word on a note card or flash card in clear lowercase letter handwriting.

Try this quick 2 minute technique to help your child remember any sight word they have! These boxes will help children visualize the words in their mind so they can retain them.ĬLICK TO VIEW EXAMPLE OF WORD BOXING Trace It and Tap It! After you have written a sight word on a piece of paper, carefully draw a box around each letter.

Word BoxingĪnother technique to help student remember words it to “box” the letters. You can use these cards like flash cards and review the words each day. Using any color will help the word stand out visually and in your child’s memory. Have your child color the paper to give it a blue background or use color paper. Write only one word per piece of paper or notecard. Once you’ve chosen a few words, write them clearly, in large, thick lowercase letters on a piece of paper or notecard. Remind them that a lot of times sight words don’t follow the spelling and sound rules, they can be tricky! Paper Color Words Anymore than this before your child is ready will overwhelm and frustrate them. Start easyįocus on only one or two words for a week.

We’re learning them so we can enjoy a good story! As much as possible, point out sight words when you see them so your child cansee their role in stories. Sight words have an important job because without them a lot of books and writing would not make sense. The most important aspect of teaching sight words is teaching kids WHY they must memorize these whole words.

Sight words for 1st grade games