Go Fish: Idea #151

Don't you love those simple child card games? Go Fish is a really fun one for kids. Why not put a twist on the card game so that your student is practicing sight words while they play? Here is what you do:

1. Buy the game Go Fish (or make your own cards). I bought mine at Wal-Mart for 50 cents!!

2. On each card put tape/sticker/whiteout over the word.

3. On each card write a sight word on the tape/sticker/whiteout (make sure that there are four cards of each sight word).

4. Once you have all the cards written on, you are ready to play Go Fish with your student!

 5. Here is how you play Sight Word Go Fish: Shuffle the cards and give each player 5 cards. The rest of the cards are in a pile face down in the middle. Player 1 starts by asking any other player for a specific card. For example, "Player 2, do you have a card that says for?" If Player 2 has it, he must handover the card. Player 1 continues to ask players for specific cards as long as he gets matches. When Player 1 asks for a card and the other player does not have it, the player replies, "Go fish!" Player 1 then takes a card from the pile in the middle and the game continues onto the next player. When a player collects all 4 cards of a set, he places them in a pile in front of him. The games ends when all the cards are played. The player with the most matches wins! Have fun playing!

Pictographs: Idea #150

In order to help your student learn those tough sight words, try making pictographs. All you do is turn the sight word into a picture. The picture drawn should give your student clues as to what the word is. Check out the following picture for the sight word and.

The letters seem to come together to help the picture tell the story.
You can find other pictographs similar to the one above on the following website: http://picturemereading.com/pictograph_examples.html.

After making sight words into pictographs your student will be able to recognize sight words based on the pictures that were made.The words will truly begin to come to life to your student. Sight word practice will become more enjoyable. You could even post them around your classroom or make the pictographs into a book.

I made a couple of pictographs on my own. I hope this gives you some more ideas of what you could do.

What a fun way to practice sight words!

Crossword Puzzles: Idea #149

 http://www.supercrosswordcreator.com/Free-Trial.html

Everyone loves a good crossword puzzle. Try making a sight word crossword puzzle for your student. Not only can it help with spelling, but it can also help your student identify the words more quickly. You can make your own by hand or try one of the two options below:

1. Sight Word Crossword Puzzle Printables (already made for you), just check it out on this website: http://printables.atozteacherstuff.com/1111/sight-words-crossword-puzzle/

2. You could also use a Crossword Puzzle Creator online. The free trial run allows you to use five words, if you buy the program you can use up to 100. Check it out here: http://www.supercrosswordcreator.com/Free-Trial.html

Make sure that your crossword puzzle is simple and that you choose words that your student is familiar with, but needs to practice. They will read those sight words in no time!

'Dick and Jane' books: Idea #148

I hope you haven't forgotten about the classic Dick and Jane books. The illustrations are fun. The stories are simple, but kids love them. Although the books are repetitious, Dick and Jane books are an excellent way to help your student gain confidence in their reading. Check some out at your local library today. I highly recommend it!

Sight Word Piano Keys: Idea #147

Trying to think of fun ways to help your student learn sight words? How about putting the sight words to music? It is simple to do. Get out your keyboard that has been picking up dust in your closet and write a sight word on each key (I wrote the words on scotch tape so I wasn't actually writing on the keys). Then turn the keyboard on, call out a sight word, and have your student play the key with that word on it. Your student will LOVE making music! 

Color-by-Vowel: Idea #146

Learning vowel sounds is an important part in learning how to read. Have fun learning vowel sounds with your student by doing these fun Color-by-Vowel worksheets. The worksheets are done the same way you would do a Color-by-Number worksheet. 

I found this Color-By-Vowel worksheet on the following website: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/preschool-crafts-activities/61210-short-u-sound-activities/

I found this worksheet on the following website: http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Winter-Color-by-Vowels-Short-4-Total-Short-Vowel-Reading-Activity

Have fun!

Scrabble Slam!: Idea #145

Have you ever played the game Scrabble Slam? You should try playing it with your student. It is a game where you have to spell and read four letter words. It is a great way for students to practice reading quickly and discover different words that have similar letters and sounds. Here is how you play:

1. Lay out four cards that make a word (for example: FATE or GAME).

2. Deal out the cards that remain to the amount of players involved in the game.

3. Once all of the cards have been dealt, one player says, "Ready, set, slam!" Then all of the players go at the same time trying to change the word by covering one of the letters that is already laid out. For example if you had a M card, you might change the word FATE to the word FAME.

4. The player is to yell out the new word when they have changed it.

5. You can only add ONE card at a time to change a word.

6. The player who plays all of their cards first wins the game. If no one is able to use all of their cards, the player with the least amount of cards at the end wins.

This card game is inexpensive and fun for everyone!

100 Words: Idea #144

Try making your student a word chart to get them excited about learning to read new words. The chart below is made out of the number 100 to encourage students to learn 100 words. Just make100 boxes and then fill each box in with a word that you would like your student to master.

Most of the words on my chart are Kindergarten and 1st grade sight words.

Every time a word on the chart is mastered, color in the box.

Once all 100 words on the chart are mastered, give your student a prize. I always like to give the 100 Grand candy bar and a certificate.

I hope this motivates your student to learn more words!

Edible Sight Words: Idea #143

When practicing sight words with your student, try making the words edible. Get some M&M's, or Skittles, or chocolate chips, or even Cheerios and then have your student write out different sight words. After they have successfully spelled out ten sight words, let them eat the candies.

I used white chocolate chips here.

You could also have your student glue the candies together on a poster. After they have made a few sight word posters, hang them up around your classroom.

Have fun "eating your words"!

Boggle: Idea #142

Word games are so fun and educational. Try playing the game Boggle where your student is only allowed to look for sight words. Here is how you do it:

1. Preparation: Make a simple Boggle worksheet, similar to the one below. Make sure there is a 4x4 square and a place for your student to write the words.

2.  Write a letter in each of the sixteen boxes. Make sure that you are filling the boxes in with the sight words in mind.

3. How to Play: Give the worksheet to your student. Student has three minutes to find as many sight words as they can. On my worksheet I didn't put any words backwards or do anything tricky, taking into consideration the age and ability of my student. You can make it as difficult for your student as you would like.

4. Once your student finds a word, they must write it down in the boxes provided. They continue looking for sight words until the 3 minutes are up. You can give your student less or more time, depending on their level of ability.

5. At the end of the game, your student gets points according to the following scoring guide:
                                Sight Word with 1 letter- 1 point
                                Sight Word with 2 letters- 2 points
                                Sight Word with 3 letters- 3 points
                                Sight Word with 4 letters- 4 points

6. Have your student read the words that they found to you. You can play more rounds, you just have to make more Boggle worksheets. Enjoy!

Don't Eat Pete!: Idea #141

Have you ever played the game Don't Eat Pete? It's pretty fun. Kids love it because they get to eat candy while playing. If you haven't played it before, click on this . 

Here is how you can play it using sight words:

1. Preparation Before Playing: Teacher or student makes a Don't Eat Pete board. Make sure that the paper has nine boxes. The Don't Eat Pete box should go in the middle. Fill in the rest of the boxes with sight words that your student needs to practice.

2. Cover each word with a small candy (like an m&m, skittle, chocolate chip, etc). Since I was fresh out of candy I used frosted flakes. 

3. How to Play: Send one person out of the room. The remaining players decide which sight word box is 'Pete'. For example, "The go box is Pete".

4. The person comes back into the room and begins to eat candies off of the board. The student must read the sight word in the box as they pick the candy up.

5. When the person tries to eat 'Pete', the players yell "Don't eat Pete!" 

6. The person then stops eating and the board is filled again for the next round.

Hidden Sight Words: Idea #140

Get your student to read by giving them a Hidden Sight Word Worksheet. You can find some on this website. It is really simple. Just have your student color the sight word given in yellow. The rest of the spaces can be any color. When they finish coloring they will be able to see the sight word. Have them read it to you. You can buy more Hidden Sight Word Worksheets here. Have fun coloring!

Word Search: Idea #139

Kids love a good word search, as long as it's not too difficult. Make your student a simple word search using sight words they need to practice. Your student will learn how to spell and read these words by doing this. Plus, they will have fun doing it!

I made my word search 6 boxes by 6 boxes. You can make yours larger or smaller, depending on the ability of your student. I picked ten sight words for my student to practice and wrote them at the bottom of the page. I also included a little check box for them to check the words off as they found them. I made this word search really simple. None of the words are backwards or diagonal, except for the word for. Since that one is tricky I put stars around it.

Once your student has completed the word search, have your student read each sight word they found and point to where it is. You can also find some printable sight word searches here. Have fun learning!

Listen, Follow, and Read: Idea #138

In order to practice sight words with your student, try a simple listen, follow directions, and read activity. Here is what you do:

1. Draw about eight or ten hearts on a piece of paper or find one online. I printed this worksheet from the following website: http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

2. Write a sight your student needs to practice on each heart. 

3. Give student the worksheet and a box of crayons. Then proceed to tell them what to color each heart. For example, "Color the word said orange."

4. Continue telling them to color the hearts certain colors. "Color the word have yellow", etc. Student must listen to you, follow your directions and read the sight words. It is a fabulous way to practice and it makes a colorful picture in the end. 

You can write the sight words in any shape: squares, triangles, shamrocks, Santas, turkeys, pumpkins, etc. I used hearts due to yesterday being Valentine's day. Have fun!

Sight Word Heart Wreath: Idea #137

Kids love to learn even more when holidays are involved. Since today is Valentine's Day, why not help your student make a sight word heart wreath? It is simple to do and is an excellent way for your student to master those tough sight words. Here is what you do:

1. Get a paper plate and cut out the center of it.

2. Cut out a bunch of hearts using the paper of your choice. Then write a sight word on each heart.

I cut my hearts out of white paper and then colored them.
I used the heart pattern found on this website under 'Printable Heart Frame'.

 
3. Glue or tape the hearts on your paper plate.

 
4. Hang the wreath up so your student can be constantly reminded of their sight words. Have fun making this together and Happy Valentine's Day!

Sight Word Cupcakes: Idea #136

The other day I made some awesome red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. They were amazing! If your student has a sweet tooth, you should make some red velvet valentine cupcakes. After you finish frosting them, frost a sight word on top. Then have your student read you the sight word on the cupcake before devouring it! You can also do this with sugar cookies (which would be much easier to frost).

If you get super ambitious after you frost the words on each cookie or cupcake, cut each one in half. Then put them in different spots on the table. Have your student put the cookies or cupcakes back together, reading the sight word to you as they do it. Kind of like a puzzle.

Have fun making these with your student!

This cupcake says the sight word: 'a'. When you do this activity, don't be like me and use light colored frosting. Make the word easy for your student to see!

Online Games: Idea #135

Does your student enjoy playing on the computer? You might try to find your student some educational online games they can play. I have compiled a list of some sight word games you might show your student. Have fun!

1. Sight Word Concentration Game- Concentration is a great game to help your student see sight words and match them. This game says the word for them as the card is turned over. What a great way to practice!

2. Dinosaur Eggs- In this game you listen to a word and then your student clicks on the egg that is the word they listened to (this has more advanced words).

3. Word Game- This game is kind of like Memory. Student must listen to a word and match it with the correct sight word.

4. Starfall- This game is just matching sight words. You can also find interactive stories for your student to read on Starfall.

5. Word Reader- Another game where student listens to a word and clicks on the word that they listened to.

6. I Can Read- Student listens to a sentence and then clicks on a word in the sentence.

7. Fun 4 the Brain- Student listens to a word and clicks on it.

8. Cookie.com- This website has many levels of sight words that you match. There are also many other free educational games on this website. 

I hope your student enjoys some of these free games!

Sight Word Songs: Idea #134

If your student enjoys music, use songs to help your student memorize sight words. Here is a list of some fun sight word songs:

1. Rock 'N Learn- You can check out the sample clip to find out what these songs are like. They are modern sounding and the sight words show up on the screen.

2. SchoolTube.com- Fun catchy songs that teach your student how to spell different sight words.

3. A Monkey- Fun sight word song and video that has the sight words typed at the top so student can read along.

4. Have Fun Teaching- Fun songs to teach your student what sight words sound like and how they are spelled.

5. Silly Songs for Sight Words- These songs are put to tunes that we are familiar with and have all of the lyrics written out.

6. YouTube- Fun ways to sing the spelling of sight words.
 
I hope I have given you some ideas. If not, type in 'Sight word songs' on YouTube and see what you get. Have fun!

WARNING- These songs get stuck in your head!!

Sight Word Games: Idea #133

When trying to think of more sight word games to play with your student, you should check out the following website: http://www.sightwordsgame.com/. You will find sight word worksheets, activities, flashcards, lists, sight word books, sight word board games, online games, card games, indoor games, outdoor games, word searches, and puzzles. It definitely worth your time to check it out. I highly recommend it.

'Meet the Sight Words': Idea #132

A great way to help your student learn sight words is to show them the Meet the Sight Words dvd. Your student will learn to instantly recognize sight words. The dvd is animated and is really cute. They repeat the sight words over and over again, but as we know repetition is key to learning. I believe there are 3 different dvds of the sight words. You can view a preview of them on Youtube or you can buy the dvds on Amazon. Have fun checking it out!

Sight Word Starbursts: Idea #131

Does your student have a sweet tooth? Most kids enjoy something that has sugar. Try practicing sight words using Starbursts (or any candy that is individually wrapped). 

On the pieces of candy write the sight words you would like your student to master.

As your student reads the word on each wrapper, they can eat the candy (or save it for later).

If you wanted to make it more appropriate for Valentine's Day, just use the pink and red Starbursts. Your student will think that's pretty sweet!

Sight Word Sudoku: Idea #130

Are you as obsessed with sudoku as my husband is? I will admit, it is pretty fun. A great way to help your student learn sight words is to play sight word sudoku. You can find it on this website: http://www.sightwordsgame.com/sightwordgames/sight-word-games-sudoku/

Sight word sudoku will help your student remember the letters that are in the sight word. Your student will have to check the letters so many times that it would be almost impossible for them not to know the sight word in the end. 

The sudoku games on the website above only use four letter words. Four letter words are ideal. It is just a little more difficult and there are many sight words to choose from. I hope your student enjoys playing this "thought provoking" game. Have fun!

Sight Word Jenga: Idea #129

Try playing the game Jenga with your student to practice sight words. Here is what you do:

1. Buy the game Jenga (or any block stacking game).

 
2. Write a sight word on each of the blocks (there are 54 blocks). You can write the words with permanent marker. I wrote them on scotch tape so I could peel the words off when we finished.

 3. Stack up the blocks. 

4. Student pulls out one of the blocks, trying hard not to knock the stack over. Student must read the word on the block they chose.

5. Once they have read the word, student must put the block at the top of the stack without making it fall.

6. Once the stack falls over, play again! Your student will enjoy this very educational game!

Sight Word Hangman: Idea #128

I loved playing the game Hangman as a kid. It is the perfect game to play on a road trip or while waiting in the doctor's office. It also only involves pencil and paper, so you can really play it anywhere. Before playing Sight Word Hangman with your student, do the following:

1. If you have forgotten how to play Hangman, go here: http://www.wikihow.com/Play-Hangman

2. Make sure the words you choose are ones that your student has difficulty with and needs more practice reading.

3. After your student has guessed your word, let them have a turn.

4. Check out these Hangman templates if you need extra guidance: http://www.sightwordsgame.com/sightwordgames/sight-word-games-hangman/

Have fun practicing!

Tic-Tac-Toe: Idea #127

Games are a great way to help your child learn their sight words. Try playing tic-tac-toe with sight words. This is what you do:

1. Choose nine words your student needs to practice. They can be sight words or any words they struggle with in their reading.

2. Make a large tic-tac-toe board on a piece of paper.

3. Write in those nine words you picked, or have your student write them in the boxes.

4. Give Student #1 a crayon and Student #2 a different colored crayon. Assign one to be an 'X' and the other 'O'.

5. When it is the student's turn, they are to read the word that is in the box they wish to draw their 'X' or 'O'. After they have read the word successfully, they can draw their 'X' or 'O' on the word. If they fail to read the word correctly, they must choose a different word to read.

6. The first player to get three in a row wins!

You can find sight word tic-tac-toe templates on the following website: http://www.sightwordsgame.com/sightwordgames/sight-word-games-tictactoe/. 

Enjoy!