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High frequency words or sight words are important in the reading process. Sight knowledge of these words helps the reader to maintain fluency and to not get caught up on the meaning or spelling of these words. These words are not meant to be sounded out, but learned just by sight.

There are many different high frequency word lists produced over the years. My favorite is the widely used Dolch Sight Word List. It has been used in schools for years and the list is not too long, just 220 words. Make up word cards using the Dolch list , about 4 words per A4 sheet is a good size, laminate them and have some fun playing sight word games and activities. A set of laminated sight word cards is very useful and important addition to your teacher resources.

1. Use grid paper to place sight words on a fixed grid 10 x 10 is a good size. Play battleships as a whole class or work with partners.

2. Play coin toss - words on floor - children take turns to toss a coin onto a word and say that word.

3. Pop all the sight word cards into easily accessible boxes or have them up as a word wall. Also have a box full of mini blank cards about 10cm x 3cm easily available for children to copy the words from word walls, boxes, or charts and take back to their own writing when conferencing or editing.

4. Play who am I? - I am yellow, I have 5 letters, and I end in the letter t.

5. Make a letter twister chart with chalk on a concrete floor, children place their feet and hands on the letters to spell words.

6. Smaller versions of the sight words can by photocopied so that children can make their own sight word dictionary or word wall in their scrapbooks. Pop a letter of the alphabet on each page. Glue in the appropriate sight word copies, and add to these pages throughout the year.

7. Play Hangman using the sight words.

8. Children find the sight words in their readers during guided reading sessions.

9. Use your laminated sight word cards to play dominoes with the same end letter - beginning letter.

10. Whiteboard pens can be used on the laminated word cards to circle certain letters within the sight words.

11. Play Chinese Whispers - say a word - pass it around.

12. Circle phonic blends within words using whiteboard marker on laminated word card.

13. Using chalk on concrete, children practice writing the sight words.

14. Practice handwriting by tracing over words using whiteboard marker on laminated word cards.

15. Order the sight word cards alphabetically.

Sight word cards can be used for so much more than just look and say sessions. Keep a laminated set of words as part of your essential teacher resources. I have used them for impromptu lessons, as well as planned and sight word games have always been a part of my weekly language group planning.

Grab your set of sight words and have fun!

About: Donna is a retired K-3 teacher who has a passion for creating hands-on quality educational resources. View more of Donna's ideas for sight word games and general hands-on printable teacher resources at her K-3 Teacher Resources website.

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