Top Ten Sight Word Games

A sight word is a high-frequency word commonly found in printed material that children are encouraged to read without phonetic decoding. We created
Er-u-di-tion, a sight word game, to assist emergent readers become fluent readers. Through extensive research studies, Dr. Edward Fry developed sight word lists as well as ideas on how to teach these words to emergent readers.

Methods for teaching sight words vary among teachers, children and parents. Dr Fry stated, “Any method that works is a good method.” Dr. Fry created his first list in the mid 1990s and revised his list, with assistance from Jacqueline Kress and Dona Fountoukidis, a few years later. We created free sight word games using their top 25 instant words, which represent approximately one-third of all printed material. Following in David Letterman’s footsteps, we compiled a list of top ten sight word games.

10. Sight word spelling bee

Using Fry’s instant words list, conduct a good old fashioned spelling contest.

9. Sight word sentence contest

Depending upon reading readiness, this game can be played either written or orally. Using the instant words list, select a word and have each player write or speak a sentence. Award points for the silliest, happiest or most unbelievable sentence.

8. Sight word flash cards

Using Fry’s instant words list, write each word on its own index card. The parent or educator flashes the card for the player to read instantly. Another approach is to have the emergent reader shuffle the cards and then read them aloud. Using Er-u-di-tion’s sight word game cards, we gradually introduced sight words to our youngest child. We started with ten cards and gradually increased the number as she began to instantly recognize them. Every child progresses differently so a different approach may be necessary for each player.

7. Sight word pairs

A card game similar to “go fish” except each player needs a pair instead of four cards. The player with the most pairs wins the game. If a player is not able to read his sight word, the player may ask any other player how to read the sight word. Pairs work well using Fry’s 25 top instant words. Click here for everything you will need to play sight words pairs.

6. Sight word bingo

Played like regular bingo except the bingo cards contain 25 sight words instead of numbers. When the sight word is called players put a marker over that word on their bingo card. A player calls out bingo once they make a diagonal, vertical or horizontal line with the markers on their bingo card. Click here for everything you will need to play sight words bingo.

5. Sight words search

Using the instant 25 word list, write the sight words horizontally, vertically or diagonally on a grid or graph paper, putting one letter in each block. Fill in the open spaces with any letter. When a player finds a sight word, they circle it. Click here for everything you will need to play sight words search.

4. Sight word concentration

Using Fry’s top 25 instant words list, write each word on an index card. Remember that cards must be in duplicates or pairs. Shuffle the cards and then spread them out randomly. The first player selects two cards. If they match the player keeps them and goes again by turning over two more cards. If they do not match the player puts them back in the exact same place and her turn is over. The object of the game is to accumulate the most pairs.

3. Computer-aided instruction

Use a computer to assist an emergent reader to learn sight words. You can purchase games from a retailer or use the internet to find websites that provide sight word computer games. Visit your school’s website as they typically provide instructional material for their students.

2. Sight word board games

Using a poster board, create a path and make one-inch spaces. Write a sight word in each space. Players advance in the game by moving the number of spaces as determined by rolling a die. Players must correctly identify the word in the space. Depending upon the player’s reading readiness, upon landing on the sight word the player can define the word and/or use it in a sentence.

1. Er-u-di-tion

If you would rather play with your child or student than spend the time making a game, we have the perfect solution! Er-u-di-tion is a professionally manufactured sight word game that exposes players to both phonics and sight words while providing an entertaining atmosphere that children, parents and educators are sure to enjoy.

The game cards are color coded so children of various reading levels can play together. The blue cards, which are ideal for pre-school children, include an upper and lower case letter with words emphasizing that letter’s basic phonetic sound. The green, yellow, and red cards contain beginner, intermediate and advanced level sight words.

In addition, each sight word card contains a definition and syllabication to assist emergent readers in comprehension and pronunciation. Playing Er-u-di-tion provides emergent readers many of the skills necessary to become fluent readers.

Sight Word Games are Ideal for Literacy Centers

Learning centers enlarge the boundaries of traditional classroom teaching by allowing students a chance to explore new ideas independently or in a group. Classroom learning centers offer instructional materials in a social and physical setting that increases the retention of students, while providing them a safe and structured way of investigating these concepts.

These centers can be easily arranged around the room, with the various subjects, like math, science and reading, having their own niche. As the students complete the activities in each center, the material can be updated or modified to keep pace with the progress of the children.

There are both immediate and long-term benefits to classroom learning centers. Studies have shown that the more senses a child uses to learn new ideas, the better that information is retained. The learning center appeals to students visually; allows them to perform certain activities manually; and develops their ability to understand verbal instruction.

This multisensory approach also transcends the various learning styles of the children in an average classroom and gives each child the individual ability to pursue knowledge in the way that is best suited to them. As a result, the classroom learning center becomes an exciting and effective way of teaching skills and putting these skills to use. Children see the need for this knowledge because it’s presented in a relevant and personal manner.

These centers foster a spirit of independence as the child actively seeks out knowledge and is allowed to use this new information in guided activities. Students develop into more responsible learners as they see the impact of these ideas in their own lives. Self-discovery fosters a lifetime love of learning simply because these initial stages were entered into with enthusiasm.

Ultimately, the success of every classroom center rests with the most significant learning experience of every student: learning to read. Most elementary education teachers use literacy centers when teaching their reading curriculum. For students who are just beginning to learn to read, sight word games are an excellent choice to include in literacy centers.

These sight word games create an enjoyable physical and social context to promote learning sight words. Through small groups, children play a game that introduces them to a number of sight words. Their ability to ‘win’ the game depends on their recognition of these words, all of which are repeated to varying degrees, throughout the game. The multisensory approach is used, as the students hear the word, see it, and understand its meaning in context.

Learning sight words lays the foundation for success in reading. Educational studies have shown that repetition of these core words makes recognizing them automatic. This dramatically increases the confidence level and proficiency of emergent readers. Many sight words cannot be taught phonetically, which makes mastering these words that much more important. Literacy learning centers takes the stress out of this activity through the use of clever and creative sight word games that combine fun and facts. Through interactive games, the children learn and laugh, while becoming prepared for a lifetime of educational opportunities. When sight word games are at the core of a literacy learning center, both the students and the teachers enter an academic atmosphere primed for success.

Er-u-di-tion is a fun sight words game that introduces players to phonics and sight words. The game cards are categorized by color so that children with different skill levels can play together. Each of the blue cards (intended for pre-school children) contains an upper and lower case letter with words emphasizing that letter’s phonetic sound. The green, yellow, and red cards include beginner, intermediate and advanced level sight words, with that word’s definition and syllabication.

Benefits of Board Games

Board games are life, learning and laughter in a box. Whether the game is one of chance or of strategy, life lessons and social skills come into play with the mere throw of dice. Young children and especially elementary school students can learn and enhance basic skills in the casual and friendly atmosphere of a game. And let’s not forget laughter, one of the key ingredients to successfully learning new ideas. Studies have shown that children retain more information in a relaxed and happy environment.

The ancient Egyptians are credited with creating the first board game, although only royalty had the time to pursue this type of activity. While the basic idea of this pastime remains a bit unclear to archaeologists, it appears to have been a game of chance. Despite the fact that games were played throughout the centuries, it wasn’t until the fairly recent past, specifically the 20th century, that board games gained popularity. This interest is linked to the development of the middle class, a group of people who finally found the happy median between work and play. With increased leisure time, board games became an enjoyable way to spend hours with friends and family.

Board games are based on either luck, strategy or knowledge, or a combination of all three. For instance, Chess relies on strategic moves, Monopoly has an element of both luck and strategy and Candy Land relies on drawing the right colored cards. All of these elements of board games can bring a level of success to a child’s development.

Playing board games teaches vital social skills. There is an exciting atmosphere of communication and competition that encourages verbal expression while cultivating traits of patience and persistence. The attention spans of young children can be strengthened by focusing on the game, as they need to remember the rules as well as when it’s their turn to participate. The element of luck in some board games highlights the uncertainty that often surrounds us in life, but also sends a firm message not to give up.

Every board game has specific boundaries, which makes this activity perfect for children. By providing a combination of both security and risk, the child is allowed to master their developing emotions in a casual and compassionate environment. The very fact that the game has a distinct beginning and end gives organization to a child’s thoughts and promotes logical and progressive thinking.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of board games is the time spent together. Children are able to improve their social skills and build their self-esteem while they interact with people in a positive way. Playing board games offers a simple, stress-free solution to enhance the emotional, intellectual and social characteristics of children. Many parents and educators understand the varous benefits of board games and use them regularly in the home and classroom. Emerging readers can increase their recognition of sight words and develop better comprehension skills in the casual and friendly atmosphere. As a learning tool, children are able to more quickly master the mechanics of reading as they play sight word games to instantly recognize high frequency words.

The sight words game Er-u-di-tion, for example, incorporates over 300 sight words in an interactive and exciting game. By introducing the child to these words, the transition to a more structured reading program will give them a higher degree of success without the stress. Everyone wins with board games!

Er-u-di-tion’s Sight Words List

Sight words are the cornerstone of Er-u-di-tion. A sight word is a word commonly found in printed material that emergent readers are encouraged to recognize without phonetic decoding. Through extensive research, Dr. Edward Dolch and Dr. Edward Fry developed sight word lists. These lists were the primary source of the game’s sight word cards. The game exposes players to these words in a fun and engaging way that promotes instant recognition and comprehension.

During the 1940s Dr. Dolch compiled a list of the most common words used in children’s books. He believed that beginning readers should learn to recognize these words upon sight. Many words on the Dolch list cannot be sounded out phonetically, making instant recognition of these words even more critical. Dolch created a list of 220 service words (frequently used pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions and verbs) and a list of 95 common nouns. Our game cards include all of Dolch’s 220 service words.

In the mid 1990s Dr. Fry further developed Dolch’s theories and created his own word list. Fry later, with assistance from Jacqueline Kress and Dona Fountoukidis, refined his list and presented it in order of frequency. Fry’s first 100 words represent approximately 50% of all printed material. Our game cards include 97% of these words.

In addition to Dolch’s and Fry’s lists, we referenced sight words from kindergarten curriculums in New Jersey, Maryland and Michigan as well as two sight word books. Based on the words’ prominence among these sources and professional judgment, with a focus on irregular words, we selected 317 words.

Over 70 of these 317 words do not follow typical phonics or spelling rules. Approximately another 70 of Er-u-di-tion’s sight words are irregular verbs (their past tense does not follow the “ed” rule). Game cards with irregular verbs include both the present and past tense. Through instant recognition of high frequency and common irregular words, emergent readers gain confidence and avoid confusion resulting from numerous exceptions to common rules. Each sight word game card also includes the word’s syllabication and definition. Syllabication assists emergent readers decode unfamiliar words, and the definition fosters reading comprehension.

Er-u-di-tion is a fun sight words game that exposes players to both phonics and sight words. The game cards are color coded to promote children of various skill levels to play together. Each of the blue cards, which are ideal for pre-school children, includes an upper and lower case letter with words emphasizing that letter’s phonetic sound. The green, yellow, and red cards contain beginner, intermediate and advanced level sight words.