Sight word fluency is so important, yet many kids struggle to build and retain a strong sight word vocabulary, despite a variety of approaches. Today, I want to share with you some really great tips on helping your students to master sight words!
Have you tried incorporating movement into your sight word instruction? Movement is scientifically proven to be linked with increased academic performance! Here is a list of research that supports this statement. Not only does movement engage and motivate students, it also increases brain activity and helps kids retain information. Read this blog post to learn more about using movement and other teaching methods to reach all learners.
Incorporating Movement in Sight Word Instruction
Here are 5 easy ways to incorporate movement when teaching sight words:
Sky-write
Students can point to the enlarged word on a whiteboard and “finger-trace” in the air with outstretched arms.
Stand and Jump
While standing, students say and spell the sight word, jumping at each vowel.
Stomp
Students find a starting place in the classroom. You say the target sight word, and students stomp as they spell each letter. You can also vary this game by having students ‘ice-skate’, hop, or tip-toe.
Read to a Beat
Read the word wall to a rhythm while bouncing, finger-snapping, or swaying side to side. This not only helps to review recognition of all the words covered, but you can increase the speed to help with fluency. Plus, incorporating music is a great way to motivate your students (not to mention it boosts memory)!
Body-Spell
What better way to incorporate movement with sight words than spelling out the words with our bodies? Body-spelling is not only fun but, since each word has its own unique movement, it helps to cement the word in memory!
Body-spelling has been a student favorite in my class for years! It is just such a great way to engage and motivate students, while effectively helping them retain information.
I created a new resource to help teachers incorporate body-spelling into their sight word routine. It is so easy to use; all you need is a screen to display the PowerPoint.
With the Body-Spelling PowerPoint presentation, teachers guide students in reading the sight word in context, saying and spelling it, sky-writing, body-spelling, finding, and writing the word. These are all effective ways to practice sight words, all in one resource.
Want to try it Free?
You can grab a free sample of it below. Try it with your students and see a boost in their motivation to learn sight words! I’d love to hear how it went. Come back here and let me know! 🙂