Sight Words, Why Do We Need to Know Them?
by Rhonda Carryer
September 23, 2011
Sight words are the most commonly used words in reading and writing. In fact, according to research, 60% to 85% of text in early reading material is considered to be sight words. Therefore, when students have mastered sight words, they know the majority of the words in any given text. To determine what the remaining words are students will need to use the meaning of the context, phonics or illustrations.
Many of the sight words do not follow rules established in phonics. That being the case, students will need to commit to recognizing some words instantly. In our Title One class we work on getting a stronger foundation in sight word vocabulary by reading sight words in phrases, questions, statements and exclamations on index cards. Also, the students will be reading many different genres in order to grow in their skill levels. A note explaining this process will be sent home once your student starts taking his/her index cards home. At the same time, students work on mastering reading strategies that will help them build fluency, they will look at common patterns in words and continue to improve their reading skills. Building a sight word reading vocabulary is only a small part of what students will work on in the Title One program.
Please keep in mind that not all Title One students will be working on the same goals, so some will not be taking index cards home. Older students will build their sight word vocabulary by reading material fit for them. (Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have regarding goals your student is currently working on.) It is very important to remember that regardless of any goal a student may have, it will take practice, practice and more practice to success.
HAPPY READING!
