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.