1. Design a Sight Word File. For every new word that your child brings home, write it boldly on two index cards so that you have doubles. Then, file it in a kid's-size shoebox and organize with alphabetical dividers. Now you'll be ready for practice and many of the games mentioned.
2. Make an I Spy Word Finder. Cut a piece of cardboard into the shape of a bookmark. Then cut out a "window frame" at the top to use as the spy glass. Decorate and cover the window with colorful, clear contact paper. Now ask your child to hunt for words he knows in a book or magazine.
3. Hopscotch. Draw a hopscotch board with chalk and instead of using numbers write sight words in the squares. Have your child hop or jump to each word and say it aloud.
4. A Twist on Twister .If you have the game, place sight word index cards on top of the colors. Then play as usual. But this time your child must also read in her twisted position.
5. Blast Off Station. Have your child start the game by squatting on the floor. Then give him a word to spell. For instance, cat. With each letter of the word he spells, he must jump a little higher. When he gets to the last letter, he jumps as high as he can and shouts-"t, cat!"
6. Sing and Dance. Ask your child to sing and dance words of the week to the tune of a favorite song: "Twinkle,Twinkle, LittleStar" can be turned into "The,The,The,The,The,The,The…."or "If You're Happy and You Know It Sing Your Sight Word: and!" Recording her voice on a tape recorder will double the fun.
7. Play Hide and Seek. Hide sight word index cards around the house. Set a timer and invite your child to be at the clock. Offer "hot" and "cold" tips to add to the excitement.
8. Go on an Environmental Word Hunt. Once your child starts to notice words in the neighborhood, it signals reading readiness. Capitalize on her interest by pointing out signs: stop, exit, bus, subway, yield, street and road.
9. Go on a Shopping Word Hunt. Present your child with a special notebook and pencil to take on a supermarket outing. Ask him to search for familiar products as you cruise down the aisles. Then he can jot down the words or tally his findings of: cereal, milk, juice, eggs or cheese.
10. Magnet Letters. Kids love the ease of moving the letters around to make words. For magnets of whole sight words go towww.educationplanetstore.com.
11. Make Your Own Board Game. Write sight words on squares on a blank sheet of paper. Roll the dice to determine how many words must be read to reach the finish line.
12. Dot-to-dot. Form dotted versions of the words your child needs to practice. Then have him follow and connect the dots with marker, crayon or chalk. An activity often used by occupational therapists, dots can aid word recognition, dexterity and handwriting.
13. Tic-Tac-Toe. Each time you play use different sight words as a marker instead of the standard Xs and Os.
14. Flashcards. You may think they're boring and old-fashioned, but some kids love the drill and the challenge. Give your child time to become comfortable with the words before using the cards quickly. Keep in mind: formal testing considers the word "failed" if it isn't recognized in four seconds.
15. Concentration. With your extra set of flashcards place 10matching cards on a table. Turn 2 cards over to see if they match. If they do, you keep them; if they don't, place them face down again.
16. Play Fill in the Blank. Write funny sentences leaving sight words blank. Formally called the Cloze technique, it helps children learn the conventions of language by prediction.
17. Bake Together. Your child will love making cookies with alphabet cookie cutters.
18. Sand Station. Tactile learners will benefit from forming letters or words in sand or rice placed in an aluminum pan. Other options: sugar, salt or shaving cream.
19. Messages in the Sky. Letters and words can be "written" in the air or on each other's backs for practice.
20. Letter Writing. Toward the middle of first grade when your child becomes a more confident writer, have him pen a short note to his grandparents, a favorite author or the local fire department.