my pile, your pile |
Place word cards upside down in a pile. The child will begin the game by flipping a card over. If the card is read correctly, they can keep the card. If there is an error, tell them the word and let them read it three times correctly. You get to keep that card. At the end of the game, the winner will have the most cards in their pile.
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clear the table |
Place word cards upside down on the table. You can either take turns or be the timer for the child. The goal of the game is to see how fast you can clear the table by reading all the cards correctly. If there is an error, tell the child the word and turn it upside down in a different postion on the table. See if you can play the game over and over to set a new record of how fast you can read all the words.
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hide and seek |
Take a group of 5 or 10 word cards and hide them in the room. While you are doing this have the child hide their eyes and recite the alphabet by letter name or letter sound, then have the child seek/find the hidden words and tell you what they are. The goal is to find all the hidden cards and read the words correctly.
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power writing |
Use dry erase boards to write a word over and over until it is learned, erasing each time. This is a writing task, not a copying task. If the child is using paper and pencil, fold the paper over or cover the previous word. If the child needs a model to start with provide it, then cover it and allow the child to peek if necessary, then remove it altogether. Encourage the child to make sure the words are in their heads.
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word games |
Almost any simple game can be modified to accommodate high-frequency (popcorn) word instruction. Bingo is a consistent favourite. Create cards with high-frequency words on the bingo grid and call out the words. Place chips on the recognized words. Other simple games that can help teach words are tic-tac-toe, boggle, scrabble and hangman.
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concentration |
Create two of each high-frequency (popcorn) word cards. Lay the cards face down. Take turns trying to match identical words. The person with the most pairs wins.
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hopscotch |
Use sidewalk chalk to sketch a hopscotch grid on your driveway to create a quick and easy game. Write a high-frequency (popcorn) focus word in each square. The child must be able to read a word before hopping or jumping into each square.
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go fish |
Duplicate a set of high-frequency (popcorn) word cards. Each player received seven cards and then follow the standard playing rules for Go Fish. The goal is have matched pairs
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on the run |
The next time you are going somewhere with your child, play a sight word game. It's easy, have your child find as many sight words as he or she can on billboards, signs and so on. If you do not have a sight word list with you, invite your child to read the 'little' words. You can play this game in the car, on a walk, even in line at the grocery store.
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sing a song of sight words |
Practice sight words by singing them to a familiar tune or making up your own. If you run out of words before you get to the end of the song, start again. Some songs to try include; 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' and 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat'.
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read my back |
'Trace' or 'Print' a letter with your finger on your child's back. Can your child guess the word? Trade places, let your child trace a word on your back. Continue taking turns.
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rainbow words |
Turn sight words into rainbows! Ask your child to write a sight word on paper in big letters. Your child can trace around the word again and again, using a different colour marker and reading the word each time.
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jump on it |
Copy sight words on two sets of index cards. Scatter one set face up on the floor, leaving about a foot between each card. Place the other set of cards in a stack face down. Turn over the first card in the stack, have your child read the word and then jump on the corresponding card on the floor. Turn over the next card and have your child read it and jump to the next word. Continue until your child has jumped on all the words. Mix up the cards and play again.
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