Red Light, Green Light: Idea #243

Do you remember playing the game Red Light, Green Light as a kid? Well, kids still love playing that game. Try making it educational by putting a sight word twist to it. I found the idea here. This is how you play:

1. One person is the traffic cop while the rest of the players line up against the wall facing him.

2. The traffic cop decides when to say green light or red light or yellow light. When he says green light, the players can run towards him. When he yells red light, the players must stop. When he says yellow light each player must identify a sight word on a given flash card. If they can read it, they can take a giant leap, otherwise they just stay in their spot.

3. Any player who moves when the traffic cop says red must go back to the wall (or the starting point).  They can avoid going back to the start if they can read a sight word flash card.

4. The first player to get to the finish (or to where the traffic cop is standing) wins the game and becomes the new traffic cop. Before they can become the new traffic cop, they must be able to read 5 given sight words.

Have fun playing!

Sight Word Duck, Duck, Goose: Idea #242

One of my favorite games to play as a kid was Duck, Duck, Goose! Most kids enjoy this game because it is active and most importantly, you get to chase someone. Try playing this game using sight words. Here are two different ways you could play it using sight words:

OPTION #1: Make some game cards that have two sight words on each card. As a 'goose' or chaser is chosen, have them draw a card. The chaser then reads the two sight words to the other game participants, using those words as he goes around. For example, if the card he drew said: go   the, he would use those words as he went around the circle. So, he would say, "go, go, the" instead of duck, duck, goose.

OPTION #2: Give each player a sight word card to tape on their back. As the chaser goes around the circle, they replace saying goose with the sight word that they see on the student the student's back. For example, if the chaser wanted to choose a student whose sight word was so, this is what the chaser would say, "Duck, duck, so!"  

Try both options and see which one works for you. What a fun way to be active and learn sight words!

Pin the Tail on the Donkey: Idea #241

Don't you love the classic birthday game Pin the tail on the donkey? So simple, yet so fun. Try making this simple game into a sight word game. This is what you do:

1. GAME PREP: Go to the following webpage: http://www.sightwordsgame.com/sightwordgames/pin-tail-donkey/.

2. Print off the following pages: Donkey- Blank and Donkey Tails- Sight Words.

3. Cut out the donkey and the tails. Then have them laminated.

4. TO PLAY: Tape donkey on the wall, then give each student a donkey tail. When it is their turn, have them read the sight word on the tail. 

5. Once the student has read the sight word to you, blind fold them and let them try to place the tail in the correct place. If the student cannot read the word, they give the tail back to the you and go to the end of the line.

6. The student who wins is the one who gets the tail closest to the correct spot on the donkey.

Have fun!

Word Checkers: Idea #240

Time for yet another sight word game! Try playing the game Checkers with sight words. I found the idea this website. All you do is write a sight word in each square on the checker board. Then set up the game and play it according to the Checkers rules. The only thing that is different is that your student must read the word correctly before they can move where they want to on the board! Your student will love practicing their sight words while playing this fun game.

Head Chair: Idea #239

Are your students competitive? If so, you should try playing the game Head Chair found on this website. It is an excellent way to practice sight words. Just follow these simple instructions:

1. PREPARATION: Make or buy some sight word flash cards that are at your students' reading level.

2.  Get some chairs and form them in a line facing you (the teacher/parent). Make a sign for the chair in the front of the line that says Head Chair.

3. TO PLAY: Have all students sit in a chair in the line. Teacher/Parent shows the student in the Head Chair a sight word flash card. The student does not leave the seat until he/she misses a word.

4. Once a student misses a word, the student goes to the end chair, allowing the rest of the children to move up one seat.

5. The purpose of the game is to see which student ends up in the Head Chair.

Your students will love this competitive, but fun game!

Sight Word Scramble: Idea #238

Kids love scramble worksheets. Try to motivate your student to learn sight words with a Sight Word Scramble worksheet. You can either make your own or check out www.HaveFunTeaching.com to find some similar to the one found below. Your students will love making a scrambled word into a sight word that they recognize and can read. 

Found on the following website: www.HaveFunTeaching.com

I would suggest doing a word scramble with simple three letter sight words and then moving up to longer words. Word scrambles can be harder than you think!

Erase Relay: Idea #237

It's getting close to the end of the year. I'm sure that your school has a field day, or something similar to it. Why not try an Erase Relay to practice those sight words one last time? I found the idea here. This is all you do:

1. Make two lists on your chalkboard or dry erase board of sight words. Make sure that there are at least as many words as there are students in your class.

2. Divide your class into two teams. Have each team stand in a line facing the board.

3. When you tell the students to go, the first student in each line will go up to the board, point to the word at the top of their list and read it to you.

4. If the word is read correctly, the teacher nods and the student can erase the word.

5. The student then gives the eraser to the next student in line. If the student cannot read the word, they just give the eraser to the next student in line.

6. The team that erases all of their sight words first wins!

Erasing words was never so much fun!

I Have, Who Has: Idea #236

A great way to get your students practicing their sight words is to play the game I Have, Who Has. It is easy to make and play. Here is what you do:

1. PREPARATION: Click here to print off the I Have, Who Has template. 

2. Fill in the cards using sight words or other words your students need to practice.

3. TO PLAY: Give each student a card and have them stand in a circle.

4. The student with the Start card begins the game. For example, the student who begins may say, "Who has she?" All the students then look at their cards and the person who has the she card then reads their card, "I have she. Who has the?"

5. When a student finishes reading their card, have them sit down so you can keep track of who has had a turn.

6. The last student standing will read their card. It will only say: "I have _____" and not ask a question, since it is the end of the game.

This game helps students read sight words quickly and fluently. I found this idea here. Have fun!

Sight Word String Ups: Idea #235

A fun sight word craft you can do with your student is make sight word bead necklaces/bracelets. It is simple to do:

1. Make a list of the words you would like your student to master.

2. Buy some sight word string ups found here and some string/yarn.

3. Tell your student a word from your list and have them use the sight word string up letters to make the word on their string. 

4. Have your student wear the bracelet(s) every day for a week. The following week choose different words.

Your student will enjoy making this educational jewelry. Check out what else you can do with your sight word string ups here. Have fun!

POP for Sight Words: Idea #234

Everyone enjoys eating a warm bowl of popcorn right out of the microwave. Why not try this fun game POP for Sight Words to get your student excited to read to you? You can find this game here. This is how you play:

1. This game is to be played with 2-4 players.

2. Player 1 draws a popcorn paper from the box, quickly reading the word that is on it.

3. If your student can read the word, they keep the piece of popcorn, if not they place it back in the box.

4. If your student draws the piece if popcorn that says POP, they must return all of their popcorn pieces back to the box.

5. At the end of the game, the player with the most pieces of popcorn wins.

Have fun playing this entertaining popcorn game!

Sight Word Popsicle Sticks: Idea #233

Looking for something to do with your popsicle sticks? Why not try making a popsicle stick sight word puzzle? Here is what you do:

1. Make a list of some words you would like your student to practice reading. 

2. Choose two popsicle sticks.

3. Write each sight word on two popsicle sticks (using a permanent marker). You can see what I mean here. 

4. After you have finished writing each sight word, mix the sticks up.

5. Have your student find the matches to make the different sight words.

6. Have your student read the words to you. 

7. TO MAKE IT MORE FUN: Use colored popsicle sticks. You could also time your student to see how fast he/se can find the matches.

Have fun watching your student make words! I found this great idea here.

Erudition: Idea #232

Are you looking for a good sight word board game? If so, you should try playing Erudition. The purpose of this game is to help students identify sight words quickly in order to learn how to read. Kids love this game because they get to go on "a fun adventure through literacy land." Erudition has leveled reading game cards, so that kids of any age can play together. By interacting while playing this game, students are able to learn up to 200 sight words. This game also helps with reading comprehension and vocabulary. Check out this game here. Have fun playing!

Read, Build & Write: Idea #231

I am always looking for new sight word games. I love this simple, but effective game called Read, Build & Write. In this game your student reads the sight word at the top of the board, builds the word using magnetic letters, and then writes the sight word in a sentence. Kids love it because it is hands on. Teachers love it because it forces the student to practice the sight word three different ways. This game includes 25 sight words with a board, a flip book, and 24 magnetic letters. Check out this fabulous game here.

Sounding Words Out on Fingers: Idea #230

A great way to help your student learn how to read is to sound out the words on your fingers. For example, if your student is trying to sound out the word jump, your student would make the j sound as they touch their index finger to their thumb, then make the u sound as they touch their middle finger to their thumb, then make the m sound as they touch their ring finger to their thumb, and then the p sound as they touch their pinky to their thumb. You can see how this is done by viewing the video above. 

As a teacher I found this method really effective for some of my students. I used this technique mainly with sight words. As the school year progressed, students would use this method when they had a difficult time reading a word and had to sound it out. I hope you enjoy trying it out with your student!

PBS Kids: Idea #229

Does your student love playing games on the computer? If the answer is yes, you should introduce www.pbskids.org to your student. This website is full of educational games and are addicting! To get an idea of just how many literacy games this website contains, try this:

1. Go to www.pbskids.org.
2. Click on Games.
3. Scroll down to Popular Topics and click on All Topics.
4. Look at the topics: Reading Games, Letter Games, Rhyming Games, Literacy Games, Spelling Games, Vocabulary Games, Alphabet Games, and Word Games. 

This website is a fabulous resource for helping your student learn how to read. You should check it out!

Library Time: Idea #228

In order to motivate your student to read more, take him/her on a field trip to your local library. Most libraries have leveled books for your student to check out, knowledgeable librarians, story times, and various weekly educational activities. Not only are there hundreds of books to choose from, but best of all everything is FREE. 

Try taking your student to the library once a week. Let your student choose books on their level and books that are of interest to them. When your student feels comfortable at the library, your student will want to go more. Take advantage of the wonderful resources available in your own community!

Nickjr.com: Idea #227

Looking for another fun and educational website? Try out http://www.nickjr.com. There are MANY things to choose from on this website: crafts, games, printable worksheets, etc. To find good literacy links, do the following:

1. From www.nickjr.com, click on Games and Activities. 
2. Then click on Preschool Games.
3. Scroll down until you get to Themes.
4. Under Themes you will see the following literacy options: Letters & Spelling and Stories. 

Have have discovering what this website has to offer!

Running Record: Idea #226

An effective way to figure out exactly what your reader is struggling with is to take a Running Record. Running Records are effective and easy to learn how to use. All that is done is your student reads a benchmark book to you while you fill out the Running Record. The record will help you figure out what reading level is best for your student. There are options for your student to read a non-fiction or fiction text. There are even comprehension questions, if you chose to use them. Read more about them here. Have fun discovering this great way to test your student!

Timed Reading: Idea #225

A fun way to motivate your student to learn to read more words quickly is to time their reading. Simply select a passage that is on their level and is a little lengthy. Tell them to read as much of it as they can in one minute. Then have them read that particular passage every day for one minute for an entire week. See how many more words they are able to read each day. You can even graph it to show the progression.

The following week choose a different passage that is a little more difficult. Have them read it to you for a minute each day. Then continue finding passages a little more difficult each week for your student to read to you.

This simple concept can help your student not only feel more confident in their reading skills, but also help them grow into a more fluent reader.

Books Everywhere: Idea #224

In order to help your student learn how to read, make sure you are giving them plenty of opportunities to do so. Make sure there are books your student can read (or attempt to read) in every room. Your student will quickly be reminded of how important it is for them to learn how to read. You may be surprised that you already have books in each room. For example:

Kitchen--- recipe book
Living Room--- Photo album (with captions)
Family Room--- DVDs (words are found on the cover)
Bathroom-- Magazines
Bedroom-- Novels

Try putting these books out as opportunities for your student to read. It will be exciting to see how much they can read already.

Unifix Cubes: Idea #223

There are so many ways your student can practice writing and reading sight words. Try using unifix cubes. Write a letter on each cube with permanent marker and then have your student put the blocks together to build sight words. The nice thing about unifix cubes is that they stick together, so your student can build the word and then read them to you. Students will love this hands-on activity. Check out unifix cubes here. Have fun building words!

Musical Chairs: Idea #222

Do you remember playing musical chairs as a kid? Pretty intense game, huh? Did you know there is a way to play sight word musical chairs? You play the game just like normal musical chairs but you tape a sight word to the back of each chair. When the music stops, the student must read the sight word on the back of their chair or they are out of the game. The last student sitting at the end wins the game. To find more detailed instructions for playing this game check out this website. Have fun playing!

Reading Chart: Idea #221

Reading charts are a fun way to motivate your student to read. It is so important that your student is reading everyday, even if it's just for a short period of time. A reading chart can help your student develop a love of reading and come to understand the importance of it. Below you will find a chart your student could use to document each day they read. 

 

I like this chart because every day of the year is specified and accounted for. Have your student color in a box every day that they read. By the end of each month, see how many days they read. Give them prizes accordingly. You might try this:

      Student read less then 10 days-----prize: sticker

      Student read 10-20 days------------prize: pencil

      Student read 20-25 days-----------prize: eraser

      Student read EVERY day---------prize: gift certificate

Have your student use one color crayon for each month. For example, use the color blue to color in the boxes for January and the color red to color in the boxes for February. This way, by the end of the year you can easily see which month your student read the most and how your student has improved. I hope you enjoy using this daily reading chart!

Flip Chart: Idea #220

Another great way to practice sight words with your student is to use a flip chart. On the Lakeshore Learning website you can find a fun activity-filled flip chart. The chart is full of lessons that go along with the Common Core standards. All you do is flip to the lesson in the chart that you would like to teach that day. The lessons include hands-on materials to help with phonemic awareness, phonics, and most importantly, sight words. You can check out the flip chart here.

The flip chart is made for a small group of up to four students. The flip chart has 12 lessons with the hands-on materials included. The flip chart even comes with a teacher's guide that includes which standards are used in the lessons. I hope your student enjoys this wonderful sight word resource!

Can Do!: Idea #219

Looking for a fun sight word game to play with your student? Try the game Can Do! You can purchase this game on the Lakeshore Learning website here. To play all you do is spin a spinner to select a question in  one of the three categories: Matching Sight Words, Building Sight Words, or Using Sight Words. Then draw a card from the category that the spinner landed on. Players can get tokens as they do what the cards say. The first player to get 10 tokens wins the game! The game comes with a spinner, 44 game tokens, 60 question cards, and answer cards for self-checking.

This game focuses on identifying sight words and using sight words in sentences. It is easy to play and can help your student master sight words. Have fun playing together!

Books with Food: Idea #218

As a teacher I LOVED March 2 because that was Dr. Seuss Day! We read a million Dr. Seuss books, did special Dr. Seuss activities, made red and white stripes hats, and best of all we ate green eggs and ham. My students absolutely loved reading a story about green eggs and ham and then eating it. Why not make the books you read to your student (or your student reads to you) come to life? When you read stories that mention food, bring in the food to share. It will make your student excited to read. It will also cause your student to have a special connection to the book. I have a list below of some books that include food that you could share with your student:

1. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss
2. A Very Hungry Caterpillar and Pancakes, Pancakes! by Eric Carle
3. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and If You Give a Pig a Pancake and If You Give  Moose a Muffin and If You Give a Dog a Doughnut by Laura Joffe Numeroff
4. Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloske 
5. A Bad Case of Stripes by David Shannon 
6. Ice Cream Larry by Daniel M. Pinkwater
7. The Popcorn Book by Tomie dePaola  
8. Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett 
9. Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert 
10. Pizza at Sally's by Monica Wellington 
11. Bread and Jam for Frances by Russell Hoban 
12. I Will Never NOT EVER Eat a Tomato by L. Child 

Have fun eating! 

Magic E: Idea #217

Another fun way to teach your student to read harder words is to teach them the Magic E Song found here. When your student understands that the 'e' is silent at the end of the word, they are able to read more words. All they need to remember is that the first vowel in the word says it's name (or long vowel sound) and the e is silent. Here are some words you could practice with your student:

bake
take
care
fade
wave
bike
like
bite
dive
hive
cove
rode
yoke
home
hope
mule
rule

As a teacher, when I introduced the Magic E, I always made a wand by using a popsicle stick and gluing a small paper 'e' on the end of it. We would use the wand to point to words in books that had the Magic E. My students loved using the wand and applying what they learned. I hope your student enjoys it too!

Two Vowels: Idea #216

As a teacher, I noticed that vowel sounds were particularly more difficult for my students to learn than the other letter sounds. Especially the 'e' and 'i' sounds. When I taught students how to read a word with two vowels side by side, I used the following familiar phrase: "When two vowels go walking, the first vowel does the talking." I used this phrase countless times during the year to help my students read words with two vowels. Here is a list of 20 words that apply to the rule:

1. hail
2. tail
3. fail
4. pail
5. sail
6. team
7. bean
8. heat
9. seat
10. beat
11. goat
12. goal
13. foam
14. roam
15. coat
16. soap
17. toe
18. foe
19. due
20. sue

Words that have ee also apply to this rule (like feet, reel, wheel, etc.) You can find a great movie that teaches this very concept on the website www.starfall.com. Just click here to see it! Have fun teaching your student this great way to read words with vowels!

Bubble Wrap: Idea #215

Everyone loves to pop bubble wrap! Why not try to make it educational? Just get your permanent marker and write a sight word on each bubble. Every time your student reads the sight word correctly on the bubble, they get to pop it! If you have more than one student, have them take turns. I found this great idea here. Have fun popping!

Sight Word Picnic: Idea #214

Spring is here and that means it's time to have a picnic! Picnics are a fun time to spend time outside with family and friends and enjoy some of your favorite foods. Try going on an educational picnic with your student. It is easy to do.

All you do is make your student a sack lunch. On each plastic bag in the sack lunch write a different sight word. For example, I wrote the sight word the on the sandwich bag, as shown above. Before your student can eat what is in each bag, your student must read the word on the bag to you. Who knew that reading could be so much fun!

100 Books: Idea #213

Try to motivate your student to read by rewarding them for their efforts. A fun way to do this is to make a 100 Books chart and give your student prizes along the way. You decide the prizes depending on your student's interests. Check out some ideas below:

1.

Chart found here.

Make a simple hundreds chart for your student representing the books they have read. Each time they finish reading a book, have them color in a box, or put a sticker on the number. When they finish a row (or have read ten more books), give them a prize. Prizes could be something simple like a sticker or an eraser. Once they have read one hundred books, give them a trophy or a gift certificate. Make sure your student knows what the prize is when they get to one hundred so that they will be motivated and excited to keep reading!

2.

Image found here.

This chart can be completed the same way as the other one. Just color in the objects instead of the boxes. 

Make sure that you set some solid rules before your student begins reading. I would suggest that your student cannot color in anything, unless they have read the book to you. Sometimes students say they have read a book, but fail to do so. I would also suggest that the books must be on their reading level. However, you know your student best! I am sure your student will enjoy coloring in those boxes and seeing what they can read!