Reading Strategy #1: Learn high frequency “sight words”.

Remember Dick and Jane? For decades, the endearing antics of this pair along with Mother, Father, Baby Sally, Spot and Puff made reading interesting for children. Dick and Jane not only portrayed old-fashioned American values in stories that children could relate to, but introduced the “whole word” or “look-say” method. This method encouraged beginning readers to figure out words by sight and with pictures, rather than just sounding them out phonetically.

There are some words we want children to know automatically without having to sound out—the frequently occurring words in our language. Of all the words we read and write it is estimated that approximately 50 percent is accounted for by 100 high frequency (sight) words. These words include:

We would like Student Services children to begin learning to read and write these words. Once children learn to recognize and automatically spell the most frequently occurring words, all their attention is freed for decoding and spelling less-frequent words and more importantly for processing meaning. Another reason we want children to learn these words is because most of the frequent words are not always pronounced or spelled in predictable ways (e.g. said).

The HKIS Student Services team believes the best way to teach frequently occurring words is by providing our children with a way to associate meaning with the words (which all of our clusters have been doing). And, once that meaning is associated, provide practice using a variety of learning modes. Here’s where you parents can play a key role in helping your child learn!

When you are with your child see how many high frequency words your child can find in different places. Pretend to be word detectives looking for these words in his/her story books, poems, letters from relatives, signs in the grocery store, the newspaper, etc. Your child will soon realize how print rich the world is.

With all learning, practice and repetition help. Make sure your child has the opportunity to read and write these word many times. But remember, if something isn’t working, more of the same isn’t what your child needs. Do something different!

Use magnetic letters on your refrigerator to create the high frequency words.

Write these words on a magic slate, or use various types of crayons and markers to write them.

Use small letter cards to build these words like Scrabble.

Create your own version of Bingo using these words

We want our children to experience these words in as many modalities as possible, so all learning styles may be met. Encourage your child to discuss with you how they learn to spell and create words. You may learn some new strategies from them!

Most importantly have fun with your child! Show him/her how enjoyable being a word detective can be.

Questions? Please contact the Student Services Center.
Last updated: December 08, 2000.