Sight Word Trackers

The checked boxes represent if the student instantly recognized the word when they were flashed it. After receiving two checked boxes I knew they were proficient in knowing the word automatically. The yellow marked boxes are the words I chose for each individual sight word list. Looking at the trackers, I can see most students knew the words the following time I assessed them after having practiced them.

Sight Word Trackers were best for the population in my study because it demonstrated growth each student had. It kept the data organized for my reference and gave students motivation to get each word checked off. They could see their own progress, which helped them gain ownership for their learning.

Individualized Sight Word Lists

Each list was differentiated to meet the needs of each student based on their sight word tracker. The lists were changed weekly in order to expose students to more words in a short amount of time.

Weekly Sight Word Assessments

Each week students learned and practiced eight new words. At the end of the week they were tested on the words to see what skills they needed further support in (vowels, beginning or ending sounds, etc.).

For students who were beginning, I differentiated tests each week. I rotated between tracing the words, having the words provided for them to copy next to the word, and filling in the first letter of the words in order to help them make connections with hearing the word and seeing the word. Otherwise, these assessments would not be beneficial for them.

Running Records

Most of my students began the year as a non English reader or level A reader. Their running records looked like the examples below. As the reading level increased, the amount of text in each book increased while words become more challenging.

Running Records were used for my study because it exposed students to more words, which helped me monitor and observe their decoding skills. I could see the exact skills they needed support with and I was able to see their growth over time. Running Records were the place to note their fluency as a whole (expression, noticing punctuation, using context clues to figure out words, etc.) and respond as necessary.