Previously, when I taught kindergarten, 34 sight words were standard for students to master before they went into first grade. So when the standard went from 34 to 86, I was stressed about how to teach these words to kids who continue to struggle with retention and application. Sight words are important to being successful at reading. The goal put a lot of pressure of me to find new ways to help my students learn these words. Here are some strategies I tried successfully. I put 5 to 10 sight words on the class Word Wall each week. Students learned how to use them in sentences, practiced writing with them and are encouraged to use the Word Wall Words during all writing activities. The most effective way I found to get them to remember sight words is to make the activities fun. During centers, students use paint dabbers to create sight words, play sight word games and sing sight word songs found on You Tube. The Sight Word Necklace has been a huge hit with motivating students to learn the words in class and at home. Start the students 
out with a few words on their necklace. By the next week see what they know. If they know it, they keep it. If not, the word goes off the necklace and home for practice with the parents. For every 20 they master, they get a special card that rewards them with a treasure box treat in our room (you can use anything… a certificate, a hug). When they reach all the words they get to eat lunch with the teacher and a friend. Another game they like is the Fly Swatter Game. Two groups of students a picked, the teacher calls out a word and whoever swats the word on the word wall first get a point for the team.
You can get the Sight Word Necklace printable for ONLY $1.00 for 24 hours. A group of teacher authors are also having a hashtag sale #2017DollarDeals . Just type it into the Teachers Pay Teachers search box to find the deals. Happy New YEAR!
