What's the difference between sight words and high frequency words?

Sight words are basically words that cannot be sounded out. Students must memorize these words. One famous sight word list is the Dolch Sight Words list.

"The 220 Dolch Sight Words comprise from 60 to 85%

of the text in children's early reading materials."

High frequency words include sight words, but these are the most common words that are found in reading. Unlike, sight words, many high frequency words can be sounded out.

Printable Copy of High Frequency Words list

Tips for teaching high frequency words

I created a small set of lessons for teaching high frequency words based upon repetition by drill and usage. See free reading programs section directly below this section.

Other tips:

• Add words gradually, five a week, or more or less depending on your student's ability

• List the words in a prominent place in your study area or put in a page protector in a reference binder so that they are accessible to students.

• Provide lots of practice with the words through drill, reading, writing, and games!

• Be sure to review the words daily/weekly

• Hold student accountable for sight words learned in his/her writing. See TJ's Phonics Activity Bank and TJ's Spelling Page for game/practice activity ideas

An alternative way to teach sight words, which I thought was interesting, was an approach outlined in "Teaching Sight Words" (link was not working as of 1/29/08) by Laurel C Preston.  According to the author: "research has shown that the clustering of words facilitates learning."

The author proposed teaching Dolch site words in clusters/categories such as "No" words (don't never, no, not, didn't); "People" words: he, her, him, she, his, their, etc...). She was able to place 98% of the Dolch words (excluding: for, must, and round) into categories.

Themed Sight Words

Color Words

Color chart showing a color sample and its associated color word.

Number Words

(0 to 10)

(11 to 19)

Available on TJ's Numeral Recognition Page here at Talibiddeen Jr.

TJ's Reading with High Frequency

Words  Program

I am a phonics fan and highly recommend teaching phonics as I feel it builds better spellers and helps children attack new words as they have rules to try on the new word. However, I have found that the concept of blending (sounding out words) is very difficult for many young readers. So, I designed a small program to get my children reading and spelling very quickly (insha Allah) using high frequency words.  We revisit phonics from time to time and when I see that they understand blending, then insha Allah we pick up on the phonics in a systematic matter.

Below is the program (Reading with High Frequency Words) that I have put together. For the background behind it, please see my blog entry, "Teaching Reading Through High Frequency Words.".

In a nutshell, in the lessons, the alphabet (recognition, not sound, but you can also teach sound) is reviewed and then students are given small, categorized lists of words. They do letter and word drills and by lesson 4 they are reading simple sentences.  With each new word list, the number of sentences they can read increases.

Scope and Sequence for Reading with High Frequency Words Weeks 1-16

All letters of the alphabet are reviewed. Clink on the week # link to download the lessons and activity pages.  Also be sure to download the materials directly under the table.

*Week 8 to be posted soon, insha Allah. (Didn't survive computer crash). 11/12/07

 Word Book. This contains all the words for weeks 1-16.

Flashcards. This set includes all words for weeks 1-16.

Phrase/Sentence List. This is a quick reference sheet which lists most of the phrases and sentences that are given. Use for review and reading practice. (available soon, insha Allah).

Though the lessons do not focus on the sounds of letters, you can infuse the teaching of sounds in as well.  I would suggest from time to time, reviewing the concept of blending here and there, gently and when student understands, then pick up on teaching phonics.

If you use the lessons, I would appreciate feedback to  help me improve them, insha Allah.