The importance of sight words
When word recognition is automatic, attention can be devoted to understanding what is read. (Laberge & Samuels, 1974).
Teachers can be guided by the Dolch word list when creating word walls for the classroom (Dolch, 1936). The Dolch word list contains 220 "service words" that have to be easily recognised in order to achieve reading fluency in the English language.
Activities to improve vocabulary
Create a word bank, word wall or ‘word wall spelling test’.
(Cunningham & Allington, 2007).
Utilise 'at a glance' words in authentic situations, aim to teach multiple strategies rather than isolated events.
(Pearson, 2006).
Dedicate 70% time to reading activity and 30% to decoding.
(Allington, 2009).
Introduce relevant vocabulary before initial reading of texts.
(Rasinski, 2012; Allington, 2009)
RAN tests (Rapid, Automatised Naming)
(Wolf, 2001).
Rapid automatised naming
RAN improves automatic recall of sounds, letters and words by increasing speed of recall this improves blending, information recall, reading rate and comprehension.
(Wolf, Miller & Donnelly, 2000).
(Wolf, Miller & Donnelly, 2000).
A game to improve RAN and review sight words is to use generic game boards.
A generic game board should have spaces with numbers (generally one, two, or three). Students pick up the number of word cards designated by the space on which they land.
After reading the words aloud, the student keeps them in their "bank."
The student with the most cards at the end of play is the winner.
The students can then write their words or write sentences with their words for extra practice.
A generic game board should have spaces with numbers (generally one, two, or three). Students pick up the number of word cards designated by the space on which they land.
After reading the words aloud, the student keeps them in their "bank."
The student with the most cards at the end of play is the winner.
The students can then write their words or write sentences with their words for extra practice.
Activities for improving ran
Bingo
Concentration
Snap
Matching games on interactive whiteboard
Flashcards for the IPad – create your own list
Useful websites & further reading
- Word wall activities http://www.carlscorner.us.com/WOW.htm
- Pinterest ideas for word walls http://www.pinterest.com/mirandaproffit/sight-words-word-wall/
- Dolch lists http://bogglesworldesl.com/dolch/lists.htm
- Flash card creator http://www.gflashcards.com
- Printable manual flash cards with sight words http://pdf.mrprintables.com/mrprintables-dolch-words-all-bw.pdf
- Bower, P.G., Sunseth, K. & Golden, J. (2009). The route between rapid naming and reading progress: Scientific Studies of reading 3(1), 31-53
- Vocabulary word lists http://www.enchantedlearning.com/wordlist/
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