Red words are trick words. These are words that cannot be sounded out because they break the phonetic rules of the English Language. Most of the red words are sight words that students have learned to memorize to read by sight. However, since they are "trick" words, students sometimes struggle to spell these words correctly. Most of the time, the vowels in the red words are what are the tricky part of spelling. In some words, it is the vowel and the consonant. For example, the red word "was" sounds like it is spelled "wuz".
Practicing red words: In order to gain mastery of the red words, students need to both read and spell them correctly. They should also apply the words correctly in a complete sentence. Most students need the most practice with spelling the red words.
Ways to practice red words:
*Please show the student the words so they are practicing the correct spelling and remember that they are "trick" words so we don't sound them out.
Show the student the word and have them "Sky Write" the word three times. Sky writing is using one or two fingers as a pointer to write each letter in the sky.
Show the student the word and have them trace the word on a table, desk or even something bumpy like sandpaper three times.
Spell the word for the student and have them write the word correctly and neatly. Then have them trace the word three times as they say each letter.
Show the student the word, say the word, spell the word. Then use it correctly in a sentence. Have the student then do the same; say the word, spell the word and use it in their own sentence.
Layer 3 Red Words
*Remember that students need to spell them correctly in addition to reading them correctly for mastery.
off
sure
said
knew
great
such
much
know
could
would
should
new
too
also
once
always
were
its
whose
only
won
through
against
other
move
though
because
thought
enough