Sight Words

Sight words, also known as the Fry high-frequency words or Dolche words, are a list of frequently used words in the English language. These words are often taught as sight words because they are commonly encountered and do not follow regular phonetic patterns. The Fry sight words list consists of 1,000 words, arranged in order of frequency of use. Learning the sight words takes times but is vital in making your child a confident and competent reader.

You can find a pdf of the Fry sight words here.

Suggested activities to learn the sight words:

1. Word Art: Ask students to create word art using the Fry Sight Words. They can write each word in colorful and creative ways, such as bubble letters, block letters, or by incorporating illustrations that represent the word’s meaning. This activity encourages visual engagement and reinforces word recognition.
2. Word Hunt: Provide students with a list of Fry Sight Words and ask them to find examples of those words in their environment. They can search for the words in books, magazines, signs, or even on cereal boxes at home. Encourage them to create a collection or take pictures of the words they find. This activity helps students develop word awareness and reinforces the relevance of sight words in everyday life.
3. Rainbow Writing: Instruct students to choose a few Fry Sight Words and write each word several times using different colored markers or pencils. They start with one color and write the word, then switch to another color for the next repetition. This multisensory activity helps reinforce word recognition through repetition while adding a fun and colorful twist.
4. Word Sort: Provide students with a variety of Fry Sight Words and ask them to sort the words into categories based on common spelling patterns, word families, or word types (nouns, verbs, adjectives, etc.). They can create labeled piles, use index cards, or draw charts to organize the words. This activity encourages students to analyze word structures and patterns, enhancing their understanding of sight words.
5. Word Puzzles: Create word puzzles or crossword puzzles using Fry Sight Words. Students can solve the puzzles by filling in the missing letters or matching words to their corresponding definitions or pictures. This activity promotes word recognition, vocabulary development, and problem-solving skills.
6. Sight Word Sentences: Ask students to write sentences using Fry Sight Words. Encourage them to create meaningful and coherent sentences that demonstrate their understanding of the words’ usage. They can also illustrate their sentences to add visual context. This activity reinforces comprehension, sentence construction, and the application of sight words in context.
7. Memory Game: Create a memory game by writing pairs of Fry Sight Words on index cards. Shuffle the cards and place them face-down. Students take turns flipping over two cards at a time, trying to find matching pairs of sight words. This activity improves memory recall and reinforces sight word recognition.
8. Sight Word Bingo: Create a bingo card with a grid of Fry Sight Words. Call out the words randomly, and students mark the corresponding words on their cards. The first to get a line or a full card calls out “Bingo!” This game encourages active listening and reinforces sight word recognition in a fun and interactive way.

Remember to provide clear instructions and any necessary materials when assigning these homework activities. By incorporating engaging and varied activities, you can make learning the Fry Sight Words enjoyable and effective for your children.

Here is a link to some online games to help reinforce the sight words