Sight Recognition

Sight recognition is the ability to recognize familiar words, which typically results from having previously decoded the word multiple times. For children without learning disabilities, after they sound out and read a word around 1-4 times, that word gets stored in their memory as a “sight word” – or a word they can recognize and understand on sight.

While most words can be decoded or “sounded out”, young readers may need to know some of them before they have been taught their sound-spelling patterns. Other words have irregular patterns, like the o in “to” and “do.” In both of these cases, it’s useful to help children memorize the high-frequency word and its spelling, so they can recognize it on sight. However, practicing reading and spelling these high-frequency words should be a very small portion of the reading practice your child does.

How would I know if my child should practice sight recognition?

The best way to practice sight recognition skills is to build strong decoding skills. In addition, all young readers will need to practice reading and spelling a limited number of high-frequency words with advanced or irregular spelling patterns until they know them on sight.

Children might need extra practice here if:

Figuring out words takes so much of their energy, they don't have any energy left to think about what the words mean.

They read very slowly because they have to sound out so many words.

When they read aloud, they don't seem to know how to sound out words, and a caregiver ends up having to tell them many words.

Activities

  • Sight Word Showdown

    In Sight Word Showdown, help your child recognize the high-frequency words he’s learning at school. To set up the game: 1. Write each word on an index card in one color marker. Write the words again on another index card in a different color marker. 2. Give one pile to your child and keep one pile for yourself. 3. Have your child spread his cards out in front of him and read each aloud. Help with any tricky words. To play the game: 1. Randomly pick a card from your pile (“the”). Read it aloud to your child, but do not show it. 2. Your child looks at his pile, finds the card, and holds it to his chest until the big reveal. 3. Call out, “1-2-3-SHOWDOWN!” and have your child lay his card next to yours. Slap your card. 4. If the cards match, the round is complete, and they can be put back into play. If your child has picked the wrong card, have him read your card, sound-by-sound and then blend. Ask him to look again for that card in his pile, and congratulate him when he finds it. 5. Play several rounds.

    Driven by: Caregiver

    Time Required: ~10 minutes

    Sub-focus: High-frequency words

    Source: Malia Hollowell, from Playdough to Plato

  • High Frequency Words Memory Game

    In High-Frequency Words Memory Game, you can use the high-frequency words provided or ones you create to play a game of memory with your child. To set up the game: 1. Print and cut apart or create the high-frequency word cards. There are two matching sets of cards: one has a symbol on each word card (a star) and one does not. (Click here for printables, intended for Kindergarten.) 2. Select nine high-frequency words. Use both word cards for each word you select, for a total of 18 cards. For example, if you select the word is, use the two is word cards, one with the star and one without it. 3. Place the selected cards face down in rows. To play the game: 1. Take turns. Turn over two cards, read each card out loud, and determine whether the same word is on each card. 2. If the cards match (for example, play, play), place to the side. If the cards do not match (for example, one, what), turn the cards back over in their original places. 3. Continue until all cards are matched.

    First grade version of game and printables

    Driven by: Caregiver

    Time Required: ~10 minutes

    Sub-focus: High-frequency words

    Source: Institute of Education Sciences

  • Read + Spell High Frequency Words

    In Read and Spell High Frequency Words, 1. Provide your child with a piece of paper and a pencil. 2. Print and cut out the word cards and place them face down in a stack, or create your own cards with the high-frequency words your child is learning. (Click here for printables, intended for second grade.) 3. Ask your child to: Select a word card and read it (because). Help your child with any words that are difficult. Write the word. Point to each letter in the word as each letter is said out loud (b-e-c-a-u-s-e). Read the word. 4. Repeat the steps for each word card. 5. Ask your child to select a few words and use them in a sentence.

    Third grade version of activity and printables

    Driven by: Caregiver

    Time Required: ~10 minutes

    Sub-focus: High-frequency words

    Source: Institute of Education Sciences

  • Word Crazy

    In Word Crazy, help your student read high-frequency words. 1. Print (or make) the high-frequency word cards, focusing on those your child is learning. Print (or make) the crazy cards. (Click here for printables.) 2. Shuffle word cards and crazy cards together and place face down in a stack at the center. 3. Divide cards evenly between yourself and your child, keeping them face down. 4. Taking turns, your child quickly selects the top card from his stack, lays it face up in a common pile, and reads it. 5. If read incorrectly, your child takes all the cards that are face up in the pile. If read correctly, you place your top card face up on the pile and read it. 6. When a “crazy” card is laid down, the person who laid it takes all cards in the pile. 7. Game is over when one player is out of cards.

    Driven by: Caregiver

    Time Required: ~10 minutes

    Sub-focus: High-frequency words

    Source: Florida Center for Reading Research

  • Word Climb

    In Word Climb, help your student get faster and more accurate reading words. 1. Print the game board, time record sheet, and word cards (if you use them, you can also make your own, using high-frequency words your child is learning). (Click here for printables.) 2. Place high frequency word cards face down in a stack. Place the timer and game pieces at the center. Provide your child with a game board and a time record. 3. Child places game piece on START on the game board. 4. Child starts the timer, selects the top card, and holds it up. Child reads the word. Provide assistance as needed. 5. If the word on the card matches the word in the first box on the game board (e.g., me, me), child moves game piece into that box. If the word on the card does not match the word in the box (e.g., me, too), keep reading cards as they are shown until a match is made. Return the cards to the bottom of the stack. 6. Game continues until child reaches the END of the game board. Child stops the timer and records time on time record. 7. Repeat the activity, attempting to increase speed and accuracy. 8. Continue until child’s sheet is complete.

    Driven by: Caregiver

    Time Required: ~10 minutes

    Sub-focus: High-frequency words

    Source: Florida Center for Reading Research