15 Sight Word Games - Just For Fun

Learning sight words is an important part of Learning to Read. Sight words are service words. They are not meant to be sounded out. Learning these words helps the reader to maintain reading fluency without getting caught up on meaning.

Studies over the years have produced many different versions of sight word lists. The Dolch Sight Word List is very commonly used and I have preferred using this list for teaching K-3. The Dolch list is made up of 220 words. Sight words are best copied onto colored card about 6cm x 12cm, laminated then used for all sorts of sight word games and activities. You will find they become such handy teacher resources that you will never want to be without a set.

1. Use grid paper to place sight words on a fixed grid 10 x 10 is a good size. Play battleships as a whole class or work with partners.

2. Scatter the sight words onto the floor. A button or coin is tossed onto the words. Children shout out the word that the button lands on.

3. Have a box of small blank mini cards or paper - you can purchase great sized post it notes these days (approx 10cm x 2 cm) on hand at all times so that children can write down words from word walls, charts, books and then take the card back to their writing. It is also handy to write words on when doing writing conferences.

4. Who am I? Game - I have 4 letters, I am green, I end in the letter s.

5. Make a letter twister chart with chalk on a concrete floor, children place their feet and hands on the letters to spell words.

6. Children make their own word wall / dictionary using photocopied small words and scrapbooks labeled with a letter of the alphabet on each page... can be added to throughout the year

7. As a whole class or in pairs, play a game of hangman using the sight words.

8. Count how many times certain sight words can be found in children's reading books, or whole class big books.

9. Play dominoes using same end letter / beginning letter. Children love these sorts of hands-on sight word games.

10. Circle letters within words using whiteboard marker on laminated word card.

11. Children form a circle and play - Chinese Whispers. Use the word cards to choose a word for the children to start whispering. The last child then points to the word card that matches the whispered word.

12. Focus on a phonic blend such as 'th' for children to find within the laminated word cards and circle using a whiteboard pen.

13. Children go outside and practice writing their words with chalk on the concrete.

14. Turn handwriting practice into sight word games by using erasable pens for children to trace over the letters of the laminated sight words.

15. Place words in alphabetical order.

Sight word cards can be used for so much more than just look and say sessions. Keep a laminated set of words as part of your essential teacher resources. I have used them for impromptu lessons, as well as planned and sight word games have always been a part of my weekly language group planning.

Now, go and have some fun with those sight words!

Article Source: http://www.search4allinfo.com

Donna is a retired K-3 teacher with a passion for developing hands-on early primary school resources. View more of Donna's ideas for sight word games and general hands-on downloadable teacher resources at her K-3 Teacher Resources website.

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