Sight Words

Can I just say that I hate sight words? I was an early reader, and I am fairly certain that at no time in my life did I ever have to memorize sight words flashcard style.

I was the type of nerdy third grader that parents worry about, because I spent every second of free time with my nose in a book (in the car, at the dinner table, in bed with a flash light, etc.). There was absolutely no reason for me to memorize words like “the” or “as” out of context, because they were necessary for me to understand the context that I was so desperate to decipher. I learned them quickly and unconsciously, because I needed to.

Compare that to what is expected of kindergarteners today. Before they learn to sound out simple words like “cat”, they’re expected to be able to quickly regurgitate 40+ sight words off a card. I think it’s appalling that schools expect children to recognize these words out of context before they learn to read and don’t blame them at all if they lack enthusiasm for the task.

However, I don’t know how to change current expectations. If your kid needs to learn sight words, this material might help.