How to Teach Sight Words In Just 10 Minutes A Day
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When I was in college, studying to be a classroom teacher, I became aware of a big debate in the education world. This debate has been called the “reading wars“.
Do young readers learn to read best through phonics or whole language (sight words)? Is it really necessary to teach sight words? How can we help our kids with sight word mastery, as well as learn to read unfamiliar words? Many parents wonder how to teach sight words and improve reading fluency.
Whole language supporters believed that kids can learn to memorize words without needing to decode every letter sound. Phonics supporters argued that children need to break every word down to its parts in order to really read well.
Even though the science of reading supports teaching phonics, many reading curricula use phonics and sight words together to create fluent readers. Having a strong grasp of phonemic awareness lets kids sound out unfamiliar words, and sight words help kids quickly read the most common words in children’s books.
Phonics instruction gives children the tools necessary to decode new and unfamiliar words. However, sight word recognition can go a long way in building reading confidence.
Sight words are also known as high-frequency words, heart words, instant words, or common words because they are used so often.
I came across a strategy for the best way to teach sight words in the book See Johnny Read! The 5 Most Effective Ways to End Your Son’s Reading Problems by Tracey Wood, which really helped me teach sight words quickly.
The sight word folder method helped my son burn through multiple grade levels of Dolch sight words in just a few months. It was a great way to quickly boost his reading skills and confidence through sight word practice.
How to Teach Sight Words ~ Prep
One of the great things about this method for teaching sight words is that it is quick. Your child can learn to memorize sight words in only 10 minutes each day with this sight word folder technique, making this an effective way to learn.
Sight word instruction does not need to be complicated.
How to set up a sight word folder
This sight word folder method is very easy and inexpensive to set up. You will need:
- a file folder
- 7 pocket envelopes
- index cards (or sight word flash cards that fit in the pocket envelopes)
- marker
- Dolch words or Fry sight words
Ask your child to decorate the front of the sight word file folder.
This is his/her folder, and no one else uses it. If you have multiple children who need to practice sight words, they will each need their own set of sight word flashcards and assembled folder.
I like to provide my kids with a variety of stickers, markers, and colored pencils to use for decorating their folders.
Arrange the pocket envelopes inside the file folder.
Glue them down when you have an arrangement you like. I like these pocket envelopes because they are brightly colored and self-adhesive.
Label each pocket envelope with a number 1-6. Label the last pocket ‘Done’.
Write one sight word on each index card.
Keep the cards in order, getting progressively more difficult.
Put the first (easiest) 10 cards in the first pocket envelope.
Now you are ready to practice with the sight word folder!
How to Teach Sight Words ~ Daily Practice
On the first day, show your child the index cards in pocket 1, one at a time, and ask him/her to read it.
If the word is read correctly, move it to the next pocket (in this case, pocket 2).
If the word is read incorrectly, read the word to the child and ask them to repeat it. That card will go back into the first pocket.
Practice every day. Consistency is a crucial element in how to teach sight words.
As words are read correctly, move them to the next pocket until they reach the ‘Done’ pocket.
Each day, add enough new words to the first pocket so that there are 10 cards total in that pocket.
Part of the reason this sight word folder method works so well is that a child correctly reads a word 6 times before it is put in the ‘Done’ pocket. There is a lot of repetition. This word is now truly mastered. It really is an easy way to help young children practice sight words.
I recommend creating a home environment that fosters a love of reading to help motivate kids to learn to read.
This can be accomplished in a few ways:
- Parents need to read books they enjoy. Let your kids see you reading for fun. This shows the kids that reading is a lifelong skill.
- Create book baskets full of seasonal books. I keep this basket in my living room near my fireplace so there is always a cozy spot to settle down with a book.
- Read books and then do fun-related activities. My kids loved reading The Hole Story of the Doughnut because we baked doughnuts after the story. Setting up a doughnut bar on Saturday mornings has become a favorite activity in our house!
- All About Learning is a fantastic reading program if you need a little extra help and want the guidance of a full reading curriculum. They also offer free fun games to use at home.
In my experience, as a former classroom kindergarten teacher and homeschool mom, the sight word folder method is the quickest way to teach sight words.
I created a set of free printable sight word flashcards, a list of sight words, and a completion certificate.
Tips for Teaching Sight Words
- There are several different sight word lists. You can choose either the Dolch list or the Fry sight word list. The Fry list is longer at 1000 words, but that can be overwhelming. I used the Dolch sight words because that was what I was familiar with as a kindergarten teacher. The Fry words work just as well for this sight word folder method.
- Include fun sight word activities. Try adding in a few hands-on or movement-based activities to keep your child’s attention. Playing swat the sight word is a fun way to practice new sight words. Young learners can also write sight words in shaving cream. This also makes it easy to include a multi-sensory approach.
- Include free online sight word games for extra practice. Kids enjoy screen time. Parents are happy that kids are practicing sight words. It is a win-win!
- This folder method works best one-on-one instead of in small groups. Kids will progress through the sight word lists at different speeds, making this difficult to do in a small group.
- Regular practice is important.
- If you or your child starts to get really frustrated, take a break. You can always come back to learning sight words later.
Frequently Asked Questions About How to Teach Sight Words at Home
What is the fastest way to teach sight words?
The fastest way to teach sight words is to use the sight word folder method suggested above while also playing sight word games. Fun activities provide a fun way to review sight words.
What sight words should be taught first?
The free sight word printable described above contains a list of every sight word. They are organized in the order they should be taught. Every student should start with the Pre-K level, regardless of their grade level.
Do all kids need to learn sight words?
No. The science of reading teaches us that kids learn to read best through systematic phonics instruction. Many people are throwing sight words away. However, I do think some kids benefit from learning sight words. My son was one of those kids. He was frustrated that everyone else in the house was reading fluently (the sorrow of being the youngest). Sight words provided a quick win while he was making progress with phonics.
Do I really need to know how to teach sight words?
No. If you follow a reading curriculum, such as All About Reading, you don’t need to know how to teach sight words. While All About Reading does include a few high-frequency words, the program guides parents through the lessons and tells you exactly how to teach.
Keep reading . .
- Free Printable Sight Word Flashcards
- Quick and Easy Sight Word Games and Activities
- Free Online Sight Word Games for Extra Practice
- Free Reading Websites for Elementary Students
- Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Homeschooling Kindergarten
- How to Homeschool First Grade
- How to Effectively Teach Phonics at Home
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