Many teachers like to send home sight word flash cards for students and parents to practice regularly outside of school hours.
I would always have parents who wanted to help their struggling reader at home but were unsure of how to steps. Or they wanted to help, but weren't always available with extra time to constantly be flipping through printed flash cards. Or they lost the flash cards in every corner of the house and car.
Turns out, even as a parent myself, I understand ALL those reasons for not practicing at home regularly.
So how can we help parents who might have limited time and other resources? Are there other activities that we can share which might work better for certain families?
Most definitely.
Keep reading for a list of handy resources for better phonemic awareness comprehension, a way to transport the flash cards so they don't get lost, and even a parent "cheat sheet" for the fridge at home that has 5 activities anyone has time for in their busy day.
Sight Word Teaching Resources
Games
Children learn high frequency sight words even faster when they are excited about the activity at hand. Using learning games for letter sounds and the ability to recognize these often used words with help students from preschool to second grade and beyond.- Super cute bingo and board games can be found at this site. There are tons of free print and play games for pre-primer to grade three. Each game comes in both a bingo form and a board game. Very cute graphics too!
- I love it when a free worksheet or handout includes directions. On this site, there are tons of printable sight word games that also include a video with directions for play. Bonus! 18 different games in total.
- If you prefer to have some whole class practice, make sure to check out these online interactive games - perfect for an interactive whiteboard lesson or as a brain break time filler.
YouTube videos for Teaching Sight Words
Kindergarten and first grade teachers are always adding sight word lessons and tips to their teacher toolbox. What works for one student, might not work for the next. If having a wide variety of solutions, books, pdfs, and even songs can make the difference in even one child, it's worth it to try. Some great online tutorials for teaching sight words and corrective measures can be found here.- You can't go wrong with putting learning to music: VIDEO
- How about a how to teach sight words lesson tutorial? VIDEO
- And even more sight words teaching tips: VIDEO
Apps
Apps are popular and super accessible by most parents and schools these days. They can help to develop even more sight word recognition by working at the student's level to help differentiate the content as needed. Check out some of these great choices for your next app download.- Create your own bingo game with your specific choice of sight words to practice with this online generator.
- I mean, who wouldn't want to play a game called Sight Word Ninja? I'm pretty sure I can't resist either.
- Need games and flash cards in one handy app? This one has you covered.
Online Flash Cards
Need a list of sight words for your particular grade level or even some remediation lists for specific children?- Make your own set of flash cards to send home with students with this online generator which allows you to customize your cards.
- Just need a set of Dolch Sight Words to print and send home? Easy peasy!
- If you prefer Fry Printable Flash Cards instead, head to this site.
How to Store Sight Word Flash Cards
Do you like to have students practice sight words or even flash cards for math facts? Do they tend to lose them or get them all mixed up in a regular sandwich baggie? Does it rip?
Next, open the folder and folder the pockets up just to crease it. That is where your flap will be.
Open everything back up and place your bucket or bowl over one side of the folder and use your pen to trace the half circle. Next, folder the folder in half with the pockets outward and cut along the line (see how you don't need 2 half circles? I am all about saving time - lol).
Open up your folder the correct way and fold the flaps down. Some velcro, a button loop, or magnets would be a great addition to keep the flaps down when in use. Fold it in half like a wallet and you are all set!
Finish it off by decorating the front with each student's name. On the inside, use one pocket for words to be practiced, and the other side for words already mastered. You could even put them on o-rings, but this would ensure they are both together and stored easily.
How can I help my child with sight words?
Five super simple ways for parents and caregivers to help practice sight words at home:- Practice flash cards a few a day. See it, Say it together, say it alone.
- Use shaving cream on a table and have the child practice writing simple words. Bonus: It cleans the table in the process.
- Point out words as you are driving, such as stop signs, the post office, and other familiar business names.
- Have the child and parent together clap out the word, then the letters, and then the word again.
- Create the words with modeling clay, Playdoh, or Wikki Stix.
Click the image below.
I can see the handy little pocket wallet above used for sight words, math facts, vocabulary words, and more. It would be a great Make It, Take It Parent Night activity too!
What do you think it could be used for in your classroom? I would love to hear in the comments below!
Talk to you soon! ~Charity
This post originally appeared at Organized Classroom.
