This week I decided to test the boys on the Dolch sight word list. While there are many different ways to teach reading, our family uses a strong phonics based approach and I do not specifically teach sight words. Instead, they are learned as they are encountered within books. Unfortunately, I cannot remember where I read about this method, but it made a lot of sense to me at the time.
Still, like most homeschoolers, I’ll admit that I’m always curious about where our children are falling academically compared to their traditionally educated peers. This test was a good evaluation tool for me to use.
Although I used the flash cards listed below for evaluation, they can obviously be used in the traditional sense if desired.
Downloads:
Dolch word lists by frequency and grade level
Preprimer Dolch sight word flash cards
Primer Dolch Sight word flash cards
First Grade Dolch sight word flash cards
Second Grade Dolch sight word flash cards
Third Grade Dolch sight word flash cards
With my students we usually work a lot on sight words because some of the kids do not read enough outside of school to become familiar with those words on their own. When kids read often I think they tend to pick them up better.
I am going to try some creative ideas for practicing sight words this year so it doesn't feel like work to the kids. We'll see how that goes…