The term "sight word" is used to refer to words that a reader should know automatically without "sounding out" the word. Phonics sight words are also sometimes called "high frequency" words because words such as were, this, what and that are used frequently in English writing, but cannot be sounded out effectively. Children are generally exposed to and asked to memorize phonics sight words beginning in kindergarten or first grade. A child's ability to quickly recognize and read phonics sight words affects her reading fluency (rate of speed) and comprehension (ability to understand and retell a story).
Phonics sight words are also important in learning to spell. Because phonics sight words do not generally conform to phonetic spelling, children must learn to read and spell them. Some teachers have bulletin boards in the classroom that have the appropriate phonics sight words listed in alphabetical order. Students can refer to the board during writing activities, helping them learn to spell the phonics sight words.
There are many different lists of phonics sight words, but the most commonly used list is the Dolch sight word list, which was written in 1948 by William Dolch. The Dolch sight word list was written using children's books and included verbs that readers need to learn by sight. Many sight word lists are still based on the first Dolch list, but now include nouns, adjectives and other parts of speech. A student's list of phonics sight words may be written by the teacher or the literacy team of a school district.
Using the sight word list provided by the teacher or school will help your child remain on the expected reading level. There are many strategies for helping your child study phonics sight words.
Create illustrated picture cards for each sight word that your child is studying. Use 3- by 5-inch index cards or pieces of card stock paper cut into squares. Draw a picture on the card that illustrates each sight word. Ask your child to draw her own pictures. Write the sight word on the back of the card. Play matching games or flash card games with the cards.
Educational stores sell sight word bingo games or you can make your own. Create a grid on a piece of paper similar to a bingo game. Write one sight word in each square or draw a picture in each square. You could also purchase magnetic letters and have your child use them to practice spelling sight words.
Sight word lists can differ by classroom, based on the needs of the students in each class. Some schools create uniform lists that all students must master. Some of the most common phonics sight words for kindergarten include: all, am, be, black, brown, must, now, no, say and she. For first grade, common phonics sight words include: after, again, once, know, open, old, of, take, thank and stop. Common sight words for second grade include: always, made, off, many, right, those, upon, would, write and your.