UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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About Sight Words (Rainbow Words)
Sight words are high frequency words that often cannot be read by “sounding it out.” They have to be memorized. Practicing everyday is the best way to remember how to read and spell these words. Learning high-frequency sight words is very important to your child's ability to read fluently. Some words cannot be decoded easily, and your child should know them by sight- we call them sight words (or Rainbow words). High frequency words can make up more than 50 percent of the words children read. When a child masters sight words, he or she experiences success in at least half of what he or she reads.
In order to motivate your child to learn sight words, we will be including a list of fun practice activities. The goal is for your child to master all of the words presented in the Journey's curriculum before the end of the school year in order to be prepared for the next grade level.
We ask that families help their children build confidence and have fun while learning the words.
Suggested Activities to practice with your child
Use yarn or string to form your words.
Read a story. See how many times you can find your words.
Print your words with your fingers five or more times in flour, salt, or sugar.
See how many times you can write your words in one minute.
Write three or more sentences using each word.
Use coins to form your words.
Use your favorite snack to reshape your words and then eat them.
Tape-record yourself saying and spelling your words.
Print the words on someone’s back using your fingers. Have the person guess your words.
Use colored chalk to write your words on the sidewalk.
Spread peanut butter on bread. Add raisins to form your words.
Use cooked spaghetti to form your words.
Stamp your words using assorted stamps and colors.
Form your words out of alphabet cereal.
Use crayons or markers to copy your words in as many different colors as possible.
Draw your favorite character saying your words.
Paint your words using watercolors or finger paint.
Find the letters of your words in a newspaper. Cut out the letters and spell your words.
Use bread and cookie dough to shape your words and bake them.
Use beans, pasta, or rice to form your words. Glue them to the construction paper.
Type your sight words and email them to your teacher.
Write three or more words that rhyme with each of your words.
Fold a sheet of paper in fourths. Write your words one time in each square and decorate the squares with art supplies.
Speed Reader- Use a stopwatch to time your child as he or she reads a stack of the word cards. Write down the time and challenge your child to read the words again and beats his or her own time!
Word Find- Give your child a page from a newspaper or magazine. Challenge your child to find and circle the sight words he or she is learning.
House Hunt- Post sight words around the house (on doors, the refrigerator, mirrors, etc.) and have your child read them each time he or she passes by them.
Messy Spellers- To practice both reading and spelling words, fill a cookie sheet with sand, shaving cream, or whipped cream. Help your child to trace out words with a finger and then read them aloud. Wipe them away and start again with new words!
RED WORDS
a and am at
ORANGE WORDS
go I if in it no on so up
YELLOW WORDS
can had not did him get but will long
GREEN WORDS
as is has his have of was
BLUE WORDS
find like time write by my
PURPLE WORDS
she he be we me these
see each many people
PINK WORDS
call all called been said one love come some from
WHITE WORDS
about down how now out
BLACK WORDS
look could would to you use
do into two who
SILVER WORDS
than that the them then this
what when which with
GOLD WORDS
made make day may way
they their there where came
RAINBOW WORDS
or for more your are part
her other first words