Word Work

Sight Word Packets

Sight words, also known as high-frequency words, are words students should be able to read instantly by drawing on a part of the brain called the orthographic lexicon. The science of reading often refers to these as "heart words," since many are irregularly spelled and are best learned by heart rather than sounded out. This work happens in conjunction with phonics, morphology, and general ELA instruction throughout the day.

During our Sight Word Study Hall period, students aren't just cementing these words into memory through research-based activities — they're also building independence through practiced routines and strengthening study habits that will serve them well beyond this unit. Committing high-frequency words to memory builds reading fluency, which in turn strengthens both comprehension and confidence.

Every other Monday, students receive a sight word packet containing a list of ten words. These words are pulled from Fry's 100 Lists based on each student's most recent assessed level — it's worth noting that Fry's lists are organized by frequency, not by grade level. Along with the word list, each packet includes an activity calendar to guide students through their two-week routine. A few sample activities are listed below, though we use many more throughout the year, gradually increasing in difficulty as students' skills grow.

Phonics and Morphology

Phonics Work

In addition to the sequential phonics instruction provided by our UFLI and R180: The Code curricula, I provide a variety of supplemental phonics activities so students have the chance to apply what they're learning in hands-on ways. These activities often incorporate movement and fun to boost engagement, though some are digital as well.

Mophology

As we work through the scope and sequence of phonics instruction, students encounter common prefixes, suffixes, and Greek and Latin roots. Increasing opportunities to practice these through word manipulation, faciliated with journals, helps students become more fluent readers and better equips them to break down multisyllabic words.

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