The Jolly Method for teaching sight words combines six methods recommended by educational resource groups for elementary school reading instruction. Instructors encourage constant repetition and use the words in songs and games to help children understand word context. Common sight words include: she, to, come and they. There are approximately 220 words and 95 nouns classified as sight words. Sight words are commonly used in English literature and extremely difficult to sound out phonetically.
Teachers who follow the Jolly Method have very specific instructions for teaching sight words. Flash cards are distributed to each student; the teacher displays their card to the class while repeating each word, helping students visualize the word. Later, the teacher repeats each word as the children hold up the corresponding flash card. After a series of verbal and written spelling exercises, students find designated words in a written maze exercise. After children are selected at random to identify flash cards presented by the instructor, children pair off for independent flash card exercises.
The Jolly Method was designed with no particular student in mind. Teachers of special needs students have found sight word instruction particularly helpful in the development of more targeted curriculum. Instructors have praised the multi-step system for allowing them to sort out where students need extra support, including letter sounds, blending or phonological awareness.
Based on data collected during educational research, students who received instruction under the Jolly Method for a period of 11 weeks had reading skills assessed at one year ahead of their peers. Combining different aspects of reading instruction makes a stronger academic curriculum. The system has been used in a number of countries including New Zealand and Canada. Teachers and parents alike have found the Jolly Method for teaching sight words to be a valuable educational tool.