{"id":506,"date":"2018-03-28T00:06:04","date_gmt":"2018-03-28T00:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/?p=506"},"modified":"2024-04-21T15:41:08","modified_gmt":"2024-04-21T15:41:08","slug":"teaching-sight-words-to-esl-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/blog\/2018\/03\/28\/teaching-sight-words-to-esl-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Sight Words: What, When, and How"},"content":{"rendered":"

What are Sight Words?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Whether you call them sight words, popcorn words, or high-frequency words, they are, by definition, “commonly used words that young children are encouraged to memorize as a whole or by ‘sight,’ so that they can automatically recognize these words in print without having to use any strategies to decode.” [1]<\/sup><\/p>\n

The Reading Teacher’s Book of Lists<\/i><\/a>\u00a0claims that the first 25 most frequent words make up about one-third of all printed material in English, and that the first 100 make up about one-half<\/em> of all written material.\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup>Let that thought sink in.\u00a0 50%!\u00a0 The obvious advantage of learning sight words is that it can have a powerful impact on a student’s reading fluency.<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2018Sight Word\u2019 is a bit of a misnomer because it implies that a word is learned<\/em> simply by seeing it<\/em> in its complete form.\u00a0 For this reason, flashcards are the most common way teachers will try to ‘drill’ the recognition of given words simply by repetition.\u00a0 If students are developmentally not ready in their spoken or orthographic skills, no matter how hard you may try, the words will not stick in their brains.<\/span><\/p>\n

One<\/span>\u00a0problem with sight words is that many, though not all, lack dependable letter\u2013sound correspondences (of<\/i>\u00a0= \/uv\/ and is<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>= \/iz\/).\u00a0 Most words are more regular than not, especially in the consonant features. For example, the high-frequency word said<\/em>\u00a0<\/i>is 50 percent regular; what would otherwise be a dependable\u00a0ai\u00a0<\/i>digraph\u00a0is irregular compared to the pronunciation of words like\u00a0tail<\/em> or paint<\/em>.\u00a0 Nonetheless, it’s important teachers address these irregularities with students rather than avoiding them or assuming that students will eventually ‘pick up’ the differences.<\/p>\n

In addition, high frequency words can be abstract, difficult if not impossible to represent using pictures, and especially difficult to understand where meaning may have an inferred understanding through context (something a second language learner doesn’t have the advantage of in early language development.)\u00a0 It can be very elusive to create a clear mental model of words like\u00a0have<\/em>\u00a0and get,<\/em>\u00a0both of which can cross several different word choices in a language learner’s native language. Just as complicated is a word like was\u00a0<\/em>which refers to a past existential state of being.\u00a0 I remember trying to explain to students that “I win a prize” infers that if I win a game, I will get<\/em> a prize, whereas, in Japanese, it is akin to saying “I prized a game.”<\/p>\n

This is why students of English need to be exposed to the patterns of speech and inferred meaning of sight words early on in oral exercises, chants, and songs.\u00a0\u00a0Inevitably, as you move children from decoding individual words to decoding language in connected text, sight words should be a regular part of your ESL program.<\/p>\n

Two popular sight word lists you might want to check out are Dolch’s Sight Words<\/a> (by frequency) and Fry’s Sight Words\u00a0<\/a>(by grade level).\u00a0 Both of these lists are offered for free on sightwords.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

When to Teach Sight Words<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

If you are teaching ESL students with the eventual goal of reading (and you should be), you need to begin thinking about sight words long before students encounter them in writing exercises.\u00a0Building a vocabulary base that includes high frequency words that is not exclusive to nouns and verbs, contributes to a sense of word and meaning in context.\u00a0 Vocal chants and early Q&A exercises should include sight words in anticipation that these words will be encountered again in written text.\u00a0 Reading story books in class is also important for showing children how you read in English and, where possible, should include picture prompts and word cues so children can participate in the reading of the story.<\/p>\n

Whether you’re teaching very young ESL students in class, or a parent trying to prepare your child for a future of reading, many of the approaches to introducing reading and books are the same.\u00a0 Check out this list of recommended activities for parents<\/a> from SmartParentAdvice<\/a> and consider how they may be applied in the classroom.<\/p>\n

Before teaching children sight words orthographically, it is necessary that children have a solid foundation of the ABCs, phonemes and understand concepts of word.\u00a0 From there, learning sentence structure and decoding meaning in context should be taught\u00a0in that order<\/em>.<\/p>\n

In other words, you can’t teach kids the concept of word without first teaching the ABCs.\u00a0 Trying to use flash cards to teach sight words, like\u00a0visual designs, out of context and with no relationship to connected meaning, will NOT make the words stick nor will they transfer to automatic written understanding.\u00a0 Likewise, expecting a child to write and rewrite a sentence when they can’t yet decode the individual words is not going to eventually<\/em> impart meaning.<\/p>\n

When students understand the ABCs and their associated sounds, can combine those sounds into a concept of word, and are capable of understanding sentence constructs, THAT is the time to begin teaching and exercising sight words.\u00a0 The good news is that many children learn these concepts in their own language at a very young age and have the ability to transfer that understanding to a new language and a new set of rules.<\/p>\n

How to Teach Sight Words<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are many ways to strengthen your students’ knowledge and recognition of sight words\u00a0in text<\/em> and out of text<\/em>.<\/p>\n

How do you begin to teach sight words?\u00a0 Again, start early by reading to your classes, and importantly, showing kids\u00a0how<\/em>\u00a0you are reading.\u00a0 By simply pointing to each word as you read, you’re teaching them much more than just the words associated to colorful illustrations.\u00a0 You’re also teaching them about print concepts, moving from left to right, top to bottom, and the return sweep.\u00a0 All of these concepts can operate very differently in a child’s native written language.<\/p>\n

Anticipating future exercises by building a targeted vocabulary and sentence pattern base is helpful when it comes time to introduce students to orthographic exercises.\u00a0 You will rely on that knowledge base to help them transition to written text and a speech-to-print match.<\/p>\n

Keep in mind that eventually you’re going to be taking students beyond decoding words and into the realm of decoding sentences. The reading goals you set for your students should begin long before they start reading and writing.<\/p>\n

If you have been teaching phonics and simple CVC words and your kids are ready to start using those words in easy sentences, you’re ready to begin teaching easy sight words.\u00a0 Along with your regular phonics exercises, start throwing sight words into the mix!\u00a0 If you want more ideas for working with flash cards, check out my\u00a050+ Flash Card Activities<\/a> post.<\/p>\n

Writing Phrases and Patterning Mentor Texts<\/strong><\/p>\n

Children can write phrases that include high frequency words that build off patterned mentor (sample) texts.\u00a0 With ESL students, offering prompts and spelling can help children build sentences and understand the importance of the sight words in their placement amongst already learned words from their phonics lessons<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Matching<\/strong><\/p>\n

Using flash cards, line up a sentence and have students read the sentence until they are familiar with the order and meaning.\u00a0 Then cover up the sight words or pull them out and have students replace or match the words of the original sentence.\u00a0 This same activity works well as a worksheet with cutting and pasting to replace the missing words.<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Matching is also an excellent way to reinforce learned words in out-of-text activities.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0The pages below, including<\/em> Bingo, when reduced to their most basic skill, are simply matching activities.\u00a0 But, don’t tell the kids this! They think they’re playing a game or doing a puzzle!\u00a0 When you combine sight word matching with writing, coloring, counting, spinners, dice, random choice, and memory skills, you have activities that will engage and entertain students on a variety of levels.<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Highlighting<\/strong><\/p>\n

In this example of an in-text exercise, students use a marker to highlight sight words.\u00a0 Like the sample at the beginning of this post, you can hand out highlighters, choose any random text, and have students highlight the words being learned.\u00a0 This is also a great cool down exercise for the whole class or activity for early finishers!<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Pick Up<\/strong><\/p>\n

Pick Up<\/em> is a super simple activity that keeps students engaged.\u00a0 Ask students to pick up all the words that begin with a particular consonant, vowel, or capital letter. Or have students listen to a spoken sentence and line up the words in order.\u00a0 Sentence Fishing<\/em><\/a> is simply a pick-up <\/i>type game and kids can’t get enough of it!\u00a0 Remember, when errors are made, it’s a rich opportunity to lead children to helpful conversations so they<\/em> can articulate why a word doesn’t fit.<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Sorting<\/strong><\/p>\n

Another out-of-text activity for developing sight words is sorting.\u00a0 <\/span>Have children sort their word cards based on letters, sounds, or key words.\u00a0 <\/span>Guide students in reflecting on what\u2019s the same and what\u2019s different.\u00a0 Grouping words with their beginning letters and then putting them in alphabetical order is another sorting plus\u00a0ordering <\/em>activity that will serve future dictionary work!\u00a0 Remember, always think ahead!<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Flash Cards<\/strong><\/p>\n

Making sentences is a great way to get kids to review and use learned words to make more orthographic connections.\u00a0 Here, using flashcards not as a means to drill, but a way of exploring new connections gives students a creative way to build on lessons learned.\u00a0 Challenge your kids to see who can make the most surprising sentences!<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Word Games<\/strong><\/p>\n

Word games are a fun way to reinforce sight words and can include I Have\/Who Has activities, word search and crossword puzzles, and many board game type games.\u00a0 Introducing and playing these kinds of games in class is important.\u00a0 Students may be playing these kinds of games in their own language, but the only opportunity to do so in English may be in your classroom.<\/p>\n

\"Sight<\/a><\/p>\n

Sight words promote\u00a0confidence.<\/strong>\u00a0Because the first 100 sight words represent over 50% of English text, a child who has mastered the list of sight words can already recognize at least part of a sentence.\u00a0\u00a0Sight words provide clues to the\u00a0context<\/strong>\u00a0and promote reading\u00a0comprehension<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

As you move from ABCs through emergent reader activities, you’ll want to have reading goals in place.\u00a0 As a teacher, it is important to be able to recognize when a student has a command of the sounds of the alphabet, achieves the concept of word, is displaying rudimentary reading ability, and finally, capable of decoding and deriving meaning from connected text.\u00a0 These concepts must be developed in this order to achieve reading fluency.\u00a0 You won’t get there without teaching sight words.\u00a0 The habits that you build into the children’s learning activities will help them to acquire new words more quickly, build on their knowledge base to infer meaning, and progress more confidently in their studies.<\/p>\n

If you are interested in more of the same kinds of exercises illustrated in this post, check out my Easy Sight Words<\/em><\/a> worksheets for ESL students.\u00a0 If there are activities that you use in class that are not listed here, help a teacher out and leave a comment!<\/p>\n

\"Easy<\/a><\/p>\n

As always, best of luck in your classes!<\/p>\n

Donald Kinney<\/p>\n

Kinney Brothers Publishing<\/p>\n

[1]\u00a0Ravitch, Diane. (2007).\u00a0EdSpeak\u00a0: A Glossary of Education Terms, Phrases, Buzzwords, and Jargon<\/i>. Alexandria, VA: Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development,\u00a0ISBN<\/a>\u00a01416605754<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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What are Sight Words? Whether you call them sight words, popcorn words, or high-frequency words, they are, by definition, “commonly used words that young children are encouraged to memorize as a whole or by ‘sight,’ so that they can automatically recognize these words in print without having to use any strategies to decode.” [1] The […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2098,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[7],"tags":[690,20,1837,10,686,11,498,48,496,49,447,232],"class_list":{"0":"post-506","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-kinney-brothers-publishing","8":"tag-comprehension","9":"tag-donalds-english-classroom","10":"tag-early-education","11":"tag-esl","12":"tag-high-frequency-words","13":"tag-kinney-brothers-publishing","14":"tag-literacy-development","15":"tag-phonics","16":"tag-reading-fluency","17":"tag-sight-words","18":"tag-teaching-strategies","19":"tag-vocabulary","20":"entry"},"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/BLOG_4_15_SM.jpg?fit=250%2C252&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8GlQB-8a","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=506"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":11146,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/506\/revisions\/11146"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2098"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}