Sight words break the phonetic code. As a result, kids need to memorize sight words. Struggling readers often have difficulty memorizing sight words. To help them, be sure to introduce words systematically (2-4 new words at a time), review old sight words, and have them practice spelling sight words.
In this post, I offer free printable sight word worksheets. Here is a fun free sight word activity for your 1st or 2nd graders. Many struggling readers in 3rd grade can also benefit from memorizing the sight words found in this worksheet. I included many words that struggling readers often have difficulty learning. Thus, your struggling student can get an opportunity to master common but often overlooked words.
Click the following link for the free printable sight word worksheets:
The above link will allow you to print the worksheet displayed in the picture below.
Have your student read each sight word and color the forest. Write the sight words on flashcards. Be sure to review them daily. If you notice your student is missing more than 30% of the words, scale back. Start with 2-4 words. Wait until your student masters just 2-4 words. As he masters the words, slowly add more sight word flashcards to the pile.
Also, for an additional activity, get your student to memorize how to spell the words in the worksheet. He can practice by spelling these words aloud. Also, your struggling reader can write each sight word on a separate sheet of paper. Again, be sure to introduce the sight words slowly and review.
Once your student knows how to read and spell each sight word, you should not just move on. Our brains naturally forget. You have to disrupt the process of forgetting. Continually review content your student has “mastered” over long-periods of time.
Looking for other free printable sight word worksheets?
Check out some of Reading Elephants other free printable sight word worksheets, including sunflower sight words, Fall sight words, and free printable sight word books.
Sight Word Tips
-Introduce 2-4 new words at a time.
-When your student gets 75% of the words accurate, introduce more.
-Use sight word flashcards. Mix them up before review. Have your student review them daily.
-Don’t let your sight word pile exceed 20 words. A students sight word flashcard pile should stay between 15-20 words. It should not get too large. If you have a list of 100 words, never have your student review these words all at once.
-Once your student has mastered a word over several weeks, take the word out! Continually take words out. This will keep the pile a good size. If you take words out, you don’t need to worry about accruing an enormous, overwhelming pile.
Reading Elephant systematic phonics books
If you want to help your struggling readers learn to read, check out our systematic phonics books. Reading Elephant books will lead your student through each phonics sound one at a time. In this way, your student can learn to read gradually.
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