Sight Word Mad Dash (grades K-3)
Author: Elizabeth Hafner, Norton Elementary, Kentucky
Subject: Reading
Objective: Identifying sight words
Materials and Preparation: magnetic sight word cards, clock or timer, pencil and paper to chart progress
Student Grouping: Individual
The Play:
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Student tells the teacher how many sight words they think they can read in one minute (Keep in mind sight words are divided by pre-primer, primer, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade level words). Students will only be responsible for one group of words. After successfully reading pre-primer words at 100% 3 times, they move to the next level.
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Teacher writes down their goal.
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Teacher sets the timer for one minute and the student reads as many words as they can in that time frame. (If a student is close to their goal, I let them continue to build confidence)
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Other students watch as they read the words.
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Teacher records how many words they have correct. All students and teacher cheer for the student for reading the words correctly.
Scoring: Teacher records correct responses on paper
Comments or Variations: Students enjoy this fast paced game! They beg to play it every Friday. It has been a good experience for my ECE students because they learn their sight words in a non-threatening, fun manner. They do not compete with other students, only with themselves.