Sight Word Teaching Tips
When playing Erudition™ with family and friends, we found the following tips to help effectively teach sight words in a fun and entertaining way. Many of these tips are also applicable to other sight word products.
Assess Reading Readiness
If a player does not know the letters of the alphabet and their sounds, begin with the blue cards. Prior to playing the game, review each card, emphasizing the upper and lowercase letters as well as their consonant and short vowel sounds.
If a player knows the alphabet and their basic phonetic sounds, use the appropriate sight word cards. The cards are categorized into three groups – beginner (green), intermediate (yellow), and advanced (red).
Limit the Number of Sight Words
This technique is particularly useful for emergent readers to build confidence and avoid becoming overwhelmed. Select 10-15 cards and review each one with players before playing the game.
- Show the card
- Say the word
- Read the definition
Limit the cards used during that game to those that you reviewed. Upon completion of the game, review the cards again. As a player progresses, the number of game cards used should increase.
Start with the More Common Sight Words
If you are introducing sight words, begin with the following words.
1. the | 4. a | 7. it | 10. we | 13. my |
2. to | 5. I | 8. in | 11. can | 14. on |
3. and | 6. you | 9. for | 12. me | 15. at |
Use Syllabication to Decode
Show a player how the sight word cards divide certain words into syllables using a centered dot. If a player does not immediately recognize a word, encourage him to look at the syllabication and divide the word into chunks to decode it.
Click here for a printable PDF version of our Teaching Tips.
Sight Word Alternative Play
To enhance Erudition’s scalability, consider using one of the following alternatives for a player to earn a bonus roll.
Use Each Sight Word in a Sentence
After identifying a sight word, a player must use the word in a sentence to earn a bonus roll. This adds entertainment for everyone while reinforcing the context of these words.
Maximize Exposure to the Game Cards
This technique is best used when a fluent reader is playing with an emergent reader. Select an emergent reader to identify the fluent reader’s sight word card and the fluent reader must define the word and/or use it in a sentence to earn a bonus roll.
Incorporate a Sight Word Blitz
A sight word blitz is best used when a fluent reader is playing with an upper emergent reader. A sight word blitz requires a player to quickly identify a set amount of cards (e.g. ten) instead of just one on her turn. A blitz useful when a player knows most of the words and through repetition reinforces instant recognition. Consider incorporating a sight word blitz when landing on the
stop signs or for each turn.
Practice Spelling Sight Words
After mastering recognition of the sight words, shift the focus to spelling them correctly; many of the words do not follow typical phonics or spelling rules. For example, player A reads the word and definition to player B. Player B must correctly spell the sight word to earn a bonus roll.
Challenge Fluent Readers
For more advanced players, focus on sight word definitions. This technique levels the playing field while enhancing a fluent reader’s comprehension skills. Under this approach, player A reads only the definition to player B. Player B must correctly identify the sight word to earn a bonus roll.
Ask Questions
To stimulate and educate players, ask questions when their game pawn is near the appropriate landmark. For example:
- What kind of ice cream did you get?
- What do fire safety people tell you to do?
- Who works in a hospital?
- Where are you going on the train?
- What do you put on a letter before mailing it?
- What number do you call in case of an emergency?
- What do you like most about school?
- What book did you sign out at the library?
Click here for a printable PDF version of our Alternative Play.
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