I was a junior in college and observing a kindergarten classroom for the first time. The room was filled with children scattered about working at their literacy stations. Through the noise my attention turned toward the sight word center where the teacher was performing sight word assessments during her reading group. She must have saw the look of confusion on my face as I tried to figure out her method.
She simply said, “Each student has their own list of sight words.”
I was dumbfounded! Young and already overwhelmed by the controlled chaos of the classroom, I just couldn’t wrap my head around how she made it work.
Student Sight Word Lists
Ever since that moment I strived to create sight word instruction in my classroom that would meet the needs of my individual learners. While my methods changed year after year, one aspect stayed the same. My student sight word lists.
Each week learners were tested on a group of 5 sight words. They had access to these words in their book box through the week and used this list at their sight word literacy center. Differentiated sight word instruction made easy!
Sight Word Assessments
At the end of each week, I assessed students on their sight words. If they were able to read all of the sight words correctly, quickly and without help they moved to the next list. If not, they were allowed another week to practice.
While I continued to introduce new words during whole group instruction this method provided learners with the repetition needed to learn sight words.
Magnetic Letters Sight Word Activity
Creating ways for learners to use their sight word lists during centers was a bit tricky. I didn’t want to create different cards or materials that wouldn’t allow them to practice their own list. So, one of my go-to resources for our sight word center were our magnetic letters
These letters stayed in the box at the station and allowed learners to grab the letters they needed quickly and practice more words during their station time.
Editable Sight Word Cards
Having a list of words that you already introduced to your class is a must for the sight word center. This allows learners to become familiarized with other words after practicing from their own list. You can grab this free sight word mat and editable sight word cards by clicking the download image at the bottom of this post.
To edit this cards be sure to download KG Blank Space Solid and open the file in Adobe Reader. For more detailed instructions check out this blog post.
Simple Sight Word Practice
After you edit the word cards to meet your needs just print and laminate for durability. For this sight word you only need a few materials that you probably already have on hand.
Materials
- Sight word mat
- Sight word cards
- Magnetic letters
- Magnetic board
or cookie sheet
- Dry erase markers
- Sock or eraser
Now you have a center that is ready to go for your learners!
More Sight Word Resources
- Use this sight word progress monitoring resource for an easy way to collect data
- Introduce sight words during shared reading with this sight word poem bundle
- Post new sight words to your word wall for students to refer to
- A popcorn words board for “popcorn” words is a fun way to help learners look for words that pop up everywhere.
More Magnetic Letter Resources
Check out other ways to use magnetic letters in your classroom…
FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:
Magnetic Letter Name Search Sensory Bin //Powerful Mothering
Elkonin Sound Boxes // Playdough to Plato
Self-correcting Magnetic Word Work // Differentiated Kindergarten
Alphabet Magnet Beginning Sounds Center // The Letters of Literacy
Pull and Trace Alphabet Magnets // The Kindergarten Connection
Magnetic Letters Sequencing Cards // Sara J Creations
Secret Code Seasonal Words // Mom Inspired Life
Editable Sight Word Mats // Mrs. Jones’ Creation Station
Letter Identification Alphabet Train // Stay at Home Educator
Beginning Sounds with Magnetic Letters // Pages of Grace
Number Word Mats // Fairy Poppins
Sorting Magnetic Letters // Fun-A-Day
Magnetic Letters: From Beginning Sounds to CVC Words // Liz’s Early Learning Spot
Magnetic Letters Nouns Game // Teach Me Mommy
CVC Word Spinners // Sweet Sounds of Kindergarten
Magnetic Letters Center for All Year // The Simplified Classroom
