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 1 Red Words (Beginning Third Grade)
*Remember that students need to spell them correctly in addition to reading them correctly for mastery.
see
has
of
was
he
to
his
go
she
by
do
from
put
how
you
saw
come
what
want
does
have
who
they
are
Layer 2 Red Words (End of Third Grade)
*Remember that students need to spell them correctly in addition to reading them correctly for mastery.
as
all
or
give
any
your
here
why
there
her
been
say
one
where
says
goes
some
done
again
very
many
look
our
which
every
live
their
about
even
own
gone
watch