Kindergarten Sight Word Rationale 

Often, the most difficult words for Kindergarteners to read are the words that appear most frequently in English print. High-frequency words such as “the”, “are”, and “they” must therefore be memorized, or learned by sight. These sight words help students do just that- they make reading so much easier and enjoyable.

Phonetically regular words can be read by blending the sounds of the letters together (i.e. man, pan, hop, mop). If children have been taught to read phonetically, they can read most words that are phonetically regular. However, some of the most common words in the English language are not phonetically regular (i.e. with, the, there). Words that cannot be read phonetically are called sight words. To master these words, children must review them on a regular basis. Unless children are provided repeated exposure to sight words, they are not able to read them.

I have compiled 30 short lists (five words on each list) to total 150 sight words. The first 5 lists (25 words) make up about a third of all printed material. The first 20 lists (100 words) make up about half of all written material.

Parental Involvement

The sight word lists are available on the Kindergarten website. Please create flashcards (using 3x5 index cards) writing one word on each flashcard. The flashcards should be reviewed several times a week to reinforce what is being taught in class. Continue to review the flashcards with your child until your child can cover the words with fair proficiency.

Sight words will be reviewed, and will be part of our daily activities in class- BUT- students also must review sight words at home with their parents. Your child should work on 4 lists at a time beginning with lists 1-4.

*Once your child is proficient with the first 4 lists (the first 20 words), please contact me. I will assess your child’s knowledge of these words. Once your child has successfully demonstrated their knowledge of the sight words in class, I will recommend that they continue with the next 4 lists. Your child should be reviewing no more than 4 new lists (20 words) at a time.

If you have questions at any time regarding sight words, please contact me.

Miss Ortiz 741-9203x322

lortiz@ststephencatholic.org