When kids start putting together the developmental building blocks for literacy it’s exciting. My 4 year old has been sounding out words for a long time and has always enjoyed rhyming and playing with the sounds letters make. We haven’t been pushing any of this just paying attention to what she was doing during reading and writing ( self directed writing) times. A few weeks ago at church she looked at the projector screen and read all the words. I asked her if she read them and she said ” No, I just knew them.” She didn’t know she was reading because to her reading is sounding words out. That was when I knew it was time to work some targeted reading especially sight word, activities into playtime.
This is such a simple sight word game that you can throw it together after a long day at the office, as a quick activity between dinner and bed, or like we used it a short activity for days when your child is already going to school. I want to challenge her but not overwhelm her. If reading activities are new to your house I suggest erring on the side of short and easy. The reason I say this is because we don’t want to send the message that reading is this impossible mountain to climb. Reading is fun, so let’s keep it that way. You can turn up the challenge once you can gauge their ability a little better.
Gather your materials. You will need some paper, a clip board, a marker and some sticky notes.
Write out the sight words you want to work on. I used words from the pre-primer list . You can see all the Dolch sight word lists here. If you aren’t sure where your child hits you can always read through a list with him together before the activity.
Write the same words on sticky notes.
Pop those sticky notes all over your house.
When your child is home from school tell them you have something RAD for them to play. Look at how she ran from the car inside… that’s a first.
Go over the list. Don’t read it for them. Let them read through it. She was off hunting before I could really do anything. She knew what to do and didn’t want to waste any time.
When they find the word they must call it out and stick it on. Keep going until all the words are covered with their match!
I was surprised that she knew them all. The only word she sounded out was can. A reminder about sounding out words. When your child is sounding it out if their first attempt is wrong don’t just yell out the correct word. You can tell them things like ” You are close, keep trying.” ” Let’s take it letter by letter.” ” Sometimes that letter makes more than one sound.” etc… let them work it out. This will build their confidence!
I loved hearing ” Mama that is we. We is so so easy! It’s just me with a w!”
The best part is that when there were only 10 minutes before I had to leave to pick her up from preschool I through this together and the game was a fun way for us to re-connect after hours apart.
Alison says
I am definitely trying this with my 4 year old and 6 year old tomorrow. I think I may try to find 2 different color post its so they each have to find their own words. They can help each other but I think it will help my 6 year old from taking over. Great idea. I may even try to put them on things that are BIG or small to reinforce the word. Thanks.
Alison
theguiltymommy.com
The Practical Mom says
You have a lovely home! But it made me wonder…how come there isn’t a TV in front of the couch!
ThePracticalMomBlog.BlogSpot.in
Allison McDonald says
SO sorry this took me so long to reply to – it’s off to the side 🙂
Marnie says
I LOVE how you combine movement and language learning! My boys will love this activity! Thank you!
Ruth says
I am a kindergarten teacher and will be trying it with my reading groups. I will just color code the stickys and have them work together (in groups of 4) They will love it. Thanks for the idea!
Allison McDonald says
What a great way of differentiating it !
Mary says
Thanks so much for this great idea. I couldn’t believe how much my kids loved this.
Allison McDonald says
Isn’t it fun?!
Cierra says
Thatnk you can’t wait to try this! It’s quick and efficient.
Paula Lee Bright says
My online students are the ones who don’t learn to read at school, or don’t pass to the next grade. They’ll love this quick activity! And it’s so easy, moms and dads won’t mind throwing it together with a list I know each particular child needs, and send to them. Thank you!
Phyllis says
I wonder how I could make this fun game so five students in my independent literacy center could do it? I was thinking if I print out and laminate site word cards then use that sticky gum to post around the room. Not sure if that would adhere to paper or rip it…?
Allison McDonald says
You could laminate the cards and then they won’t rip and you could keep them to reuse many times.