Sight Word Guess Who: Idea #250

Have you ever played the game Guess Who? I loved playing it as a little kid. Try playing it with your student by putting a sight word twist to it. Just follow these simple instructions:

1. PREP: Go to this website to print off Sight Word Guess Who game boards.
2. Put each game board in a manila folder. This way players won't be tempted to cheat during the game.
3. TO PLAY: The two players draw a card to figure out what their sight word is.
4. Player 1 starts the game and asks Player 2 about their sight word, trying to guess what it is. Maybe Player 1 asks, "Does your sight word have the letter e in it?" or "Does your sight word rhyme with key?"
5. As the each player asks a question when it is their turn, they cross the words out that it couldn't be on their game board. Players can only answer yes or no questions.
6. The person who figures out their opponent's sight word first, wins the game!

If you found my instructions difficult to understand, look here. Have fun playing and I hope you win!

Spelling City: Idea #249

Are you looking for a new website to help your student learn more sight words? Well, try out http://www.spellingcity.com/. Check out the list below to discover the things you can find on the website:

1. Spelling Tests- You choose the level or category 

you would like your student to be tested on

2. Teach Me- The Spelling list you choose will 
be read to you and each word will be sounded out 

3. Play a Game- TONS of educational games to 
help your student learn to read more words

4. Flash Cards- the words you select will come 
up on the screen or you can print them off

5. Vocab Test- Student is tested on vocabulary 
skills, focusing on what you choose

6. Training Videos

7. Free printable worksheets

8. Free lesson plans

9. Free newsletters

It is a wonderful resource to help our students become more confident readers. Have fun checking out the website!

Kerplunk: Idea #248

Does your student love to play games? If so, you should introduce them to the game Kerplunk. All you do is set up the game with the sticks on bottom and marbles on top. Then show your student a sight word flash card. If they read it correctly, they can pull out a stick. If your student reads the sight word incorrectly, then you get a turn! When the marbles fall, just start over!

You can also practice sight words while setting the game up. Have your student buy a stick and ball each time they read a sight word correctly. Once the game is all set up, they can continue practicing as they pull the sticks out. I got this idea here.

I have fun practicing sight words with this enjoyable game!

Phonics Chants: Idea #247

Are you looking for an engaging way to practice sight words with your students? Well, you should try Phonics Chants. On the I Love 2 Teach website there is a free printable of sixteen chant cards. Some of the chants include: Read each word in your baby voice, cheer each word like you're cheering on your favorite team, read each word in your best British accent, sing each word like an opera singer, do a jumping jack as you read each word, and more!

All you need to do is write the sight words on a poster or chalkboard. Then print off these chant cards. Have students take turns drawing a chant card and reading the sight words the way the card says. If your student is particularly shy, try doing the chants together as a class.

Have fun getting your students out of their comfort zone!

Bob Books: Idea #246

Are you looking for a good series for your beginning reader? You should try Bob Books. The books are designed to help kids "take their first steps into reading." The books begin very simple with My First Bob Books that help with pre-reading skills. The books get more difficult as your student goes up the levels in the book sets. Your student's confidence will grow as they read each book.

On the Bob Books website they provide a Bookfinder Quiz to help you figure out your student's reading level and which set of Bob Books you should start with. If you prefer not to use the Bookfinder Quiz, the Bob Book series focus on different literacy concepts you can choose from, such as the following: compound words, word families, long vowels, complex words, the alphabet, sight words, advanced beginner readers, and pre-reading skills. Find what is ideal for your student.

I like that Bob books are short and have fun illustrations. Kids love them. Sometimes the book sets come with activities and printables for your student. There are even Bob Apps now! Check out this website to see all that Bob Books have to offer. Looks like your student won't be bored this summer!

Sight Word Stomp: Idea #245

Looking for an active sight word game? Try playing the Sight Word Stomp found on this website. Just put some sight words on the floor, face up. Then yell out a word and have your student stomp on it. Kids love playing!

To make the game easier for kids, write the sight words on 8.5x11 pieces of paper so a student can easily fit their foot on it. If more than one kid is playing, the first one who stomps on the right sight word, wins.

This game can get intense. Do you think you're ready for it?

Flashlight Sight Word Game: Idea #244

To help your student master sight words, try playing the Flashlight Sight Word Game. All you need is your classroom word wall and a flashlight. Here is what you do:

1. Turn off the lights in your classroom.

2. Shine your flashlight on a sight word on the word wall. 

3. Have your student read the sight word to you. If there is more than one student playing, you can give whoever reads the word the fastest a point or a turn with the flashlight. 

4. To motivate your student to read quicker, it could be fun to time how fast they can identify each word.

I found this fun idea here. Have fun!