There are 71 sight words that kindergarteners are expected to learn. Automatic recognition of these words is important before a child progresses to first grade. In first grade, the sight word lists are much longer. We practice our kindergarten words in class daily, building our Word Wall gradually. I will send a word list and flashcards home each time we begin a new list, or, if you want them earlier, the flashcards are printable at the links below. Keep all of these cards and lists for review. The words are divided into 4 lists. Visit the Helpful Links page under the "Teachers" section on the home page to find some websites that have sight word activities.

Sight Word Chants -- Have your child say each letter of the sight word and then say the word. Another option: Have your child clap as he or she says each letter of the word, and then say the word. Movement helps some children learn better. Sing the letters in funny voices: opera style, baby style, monster style, etc.

Rainbow Words -- Have your child write a sight word on paper or an index card with a marker. Then have him or her trace over the word in several other colors. When doing this activity, the whole word should be written in one color at a time. For example, write the whole word in blue, then trace over the whole word in red, etc. If the child stops for a new marker after each individual letter, he or she cannot concentrate as well on the spelling of the word.

Website Games That Practice Sight Words:

Catch the Spelling

Reading Games

Dolch Word Games

Hear Sight Words

Readquarium

Family Learning's Sight Word Games

Printables:

Click here to download traceable sight word cards to use for Rainbow Words in PDF form.

Click here to download a traceable sight word template in Microsoft Word in which you can enter your own words for Rainbow Words.

Note: You will need the font Zyia Learns Letters from Billy Bear ... Makes Windows Fonts for Kids to use the above document. Click here to go to that free font.

For Teachers:

Color words student book

Sheet for tallying sight words found in library books

Sight word dots for hanging around the room or word walls. (Type in your own words.)

Sight word arrow template. (Can stick to the floor with contact paper for kinesthetic games.)