Sight words, often also called high frequency words, are commonly used words that occur frequently in print that children memorize, so that they can automatically recognize them when reading without having to sound them out.

Sight Word Activities for Kindergarteners

Find The Word

Using word cards, have an adult say a high frequency word. You point to the word, say the word, and then spell it.

Hangman

Pick different high frequency words and play hang man.

Reading Words

Pick one or two high frequency words and look for these words while an adult reads a book to you. As the adult reads, have him/her pause at the high frequency word and you read it.

Writing Words

Pick a few high frequency words and practice writing them 5 times. Make sure you are saying the words as you spell

them. It may be fun to write the words in your favorite colored crayon.

Write a Sentence

Write a sentence using a few of the high frequency words. Make sure they are spelled correctly. Other words in the

sentence may be spelled using “sound spelling.”

Word Wall Cheer Say the high frequency word twice, spell it twice, and then say it once. Example: “The, the, t-h-e,

t-h-e, the!” To make this more fun, pretend you’re a cheerleader or quarterback. Use pom-poms or hike a football

after spelling a word.

Jumping Jacks Have an adult show you a high frequency word card. You read the word. Then spell the word as you do

jumping jacks.

Tic-tac-toe Play tic-tac-toe, but instead of using x’s and o’s. Pick two high frequency words. Have an adult use one

word to play and you use another.

Sorting Categorize your high frequency word cards into groups according to their similarities. For example, sort all

the words beginning with an “i”. Read the words. (it, in, is, and if). Sort all the words ending with an “e”. Read the

words. (be, he, me, we. see, and she).

Pile it up Read through your high frequency word cards. Make two piles as you go. One pile of words you can read

independently and one pile of words you still need help with. Pick a few of the words you still need help with and

​practice reading them.

Drill Practice Have an adult hold up a high frequency word cards. Say the words as fast as you can. You may even want to time yourself!

Stretch Your Thinking Have an adult hold up a high frequency word card. You say the word on the card and use it in a

sentence. (“see” I can see the couch.)

Slap the Word Place the high frequency word cards face up on the floor. Have an adult say a word. You slap the card

that has the word on it. Try reversing the game. You say a word and see if the adult slaps the correct flashcard. This

game is also fun with a clean fly swatter.

Turn it Over Put your high frequency word cards face down on the floor. Turn the flashcards over one at a time and

read them. To add to the fun, put the flashcards on a cookie sheet and turn the flashcards over with a spatula.

Tag Find a few friends or family members to play tag with you. Have everyone hold a high frequency word card in their hand. When you tag a person, he/she should show you the flashcard. You read the flashcard. When you are tagged you read the flashcard you are holding.

Fridge Magnets Place a few high frequency word cards on the fridge. As you pass the fridge throughout the day, read the flashcards on the fridge.

Hide and Seek Have someone hide a few high frequency word cards around the house. You seek them and when you

find the word, read it. To make this extra fun, play at night using a flashlight to find your words.