Whack-a-Word
Write the sight words on index cards. I just did 4 words at a time, as he is just in pre-school. Then as you say the word, the child whacks or hits the right word.
My son used one of his toy hammers. You could use a fly swatter, a princess wand, whatever your child likes.
I would call out a word and he would whack it.
I would switch up the order, and as he got better and would increase the speed a little bit.
He really enjoyed doing this but thought it was even more fun, when he was in charge. He would whack the card and I had to say the words, very very quickly.
He was hitting the words so fast when it was my turn, I am not sure how many he really was learning at that point, but it helped him totally enjoy the activity and he asked again several times to whack his words.
Tips and Tricks
With sight words, consistency is the key. You need to be consistently working with your child, not just the night before the test. That is why I believe it is good to find some different ways to study the words, rather than doing the same thing every time.
Stephanie of The Vintage Modern Wife, a former first grade teacher gave these ideas:
--Sight Word Race: Put Students in two teams and put a sight word up on a screen via PowerPoint. First person in line had to yell it out first and then the next kid would go.
--Use Funny Voices: Teach the kids the words using silly voices, anything to make it more enjoyable.
--Sight Word Race: Put Students in two teams and put a sight word up on a screen via PowerPoint. First person in line had to yell it out first and then the next kid would go.
--Use Funny Voices: Teach the kids the words using silly voices, anything to make it more enjoyable.
Melissa of This Girl's Life Blog- said that her sister-in-law who is a teacher, has her students use play dough to shape out the words
Shell of Things I Can't Say- also a former teacher said: Write out the letters of the alphabet with chalk (on the ground outside), then have the child jump from letter to letter to spell the common sight words. Or write the sight words on the ground with chalk, say the words and have them jump to the word and even share a rhyming word if they can.
Shell of Things I Can't Say- also a former teacher said: Write out the letters of the alphabet with chalk (on the ground outside), then have the child jump from letter to letter to spell the common sight words. Or write the sight words on the ground with chalk, say the words and have them jump to the word and even share a rhyming word if they can.
Ideas Around the Web
Here are a few more great ideas I found on-line. Click the title to take you to the original post and find out more information about each method.
A great way to review a group of words and really get them moving
For those boys and girls that like to throw things- slam that ball into the words
Tape the words into an egg carton- and play a game of Tic-Tac-Toe
(she uses this for numbers and letters too)
Write the words and then have the child circle the words
or throw a bean bag at the right words
Match the words on the clothes-pin to the words on the card
Do you have any tips or tricks that you use for teaching sight words?
What a great idea. Cute photos too!
ReplyDeleteThank you! He was a little tired of my picture taking by the end but it was worth it :)
DeleteHe is a super cutie!! Good way to learn!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think so too :)
DeleteWhat a fun way to learn! Little boys do love their hammers :). Your son is absolutely adorable. I love the twister idea also!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, boys and hammers definitely seem to go together.
DeleteGreat ideas! I willl have to pass this along to my mommy friends! I love the pictures!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much and that would be awesome!
DeleteThese are cute ideas, ones that I could have used a couple years ago. Something to keep in mind when the baby starts reading (although I don't even want to think that far ahead right now.)
ReplyDeleteYes, I am freaking out a bit about the fact that my baby will be starting kindergarten this fall.. it goes too fast
DeleteSuch cute and fun ideas!
ReplyDeleteoooh your hammer idea is a great one for my guys! All these ideas are lovely actually- gonna have to try that twister one out, too!
ReplyDeleteYes, I defiantly want to try the twister one too. That will be a great way to review when he knows more of the words, especially before he goes into kindergarten this fall! Eek!
DeleteFirst of all, your son is ADORABLE. Secondly, what a fun, cool and creative idea! Definitely pinning this for sure and sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! He really had fun with it and usually he had no desire to look at his sight words but for him this did the trick
DeleteThis is such an awesome idea! My son loves his hammer, I bet he would have a blast with this game :D
ReplyDeleteYes, Ryder is very much a fan of Bob the Builder right now and so loves playing with tools, so this was a hit
DeleteCool idea, I'll have to try it when my kids are a bit older
ReplyDeleteYes, you could even do this with learning letter or numbers, really anything
DeleteI like Whack a Word!
ReplyDeleteYes, thankfully my son did too :)
DeleteLooks like he was having fun whacking away!
ReplyDeleteYes he definitely was! Though by the end when I was asking him to play just a little longer so I could get a few more pictures, he was getting sick of it ;)
DeleteThat is an awesome idea, I know I'd have fun whacking the words!
ReplyDeleteYes, there is something almost cathartic about it ;)
DeleteFound you on Best of the Blogosphere. I really love this! I home school, and I have a 5 year old girl who will like this. And, today was one of those bad days with an 8 year old boy and some times tables. I think 'Whack An Answer' may be on the docket for tomorrow! Thanks for a great idea! Nikki PS--I'm co-hosting a link party over on my blog. I'd love you to share on it!
ReplyDeleteYes, you could totally whack any sort of problem or answer you might be learning. Definitely a fun way to mix things up
DeleteI like the parking lot one! They are all cute really.
ReplyDeleteYes, i think Ryder would like the parking lot one, I need to do that with him
DeleteThis post is just what I was looking for! I've been looking for ideas to work on sight words with my son. Perfect timing. Thanks so much!
ReplyDelete