Promote Independent Learning with Sight Words

Sight words is always a struggle with little learners! The gap with children who have been exposed to words to those who are not as fortunate is real. Sadly, we can’t teach and reteach each child the words they need when they need them. Or can we? We need to promote independent learning with Sight Word Printables because it just makes sense.

We need to be meeting students where they are regardless of their background, readiness, and time. But time is that factor that gets us the most! Why? (Did that make you laugh? You most likely already know why!) You can simply not be everywhere at once. Students need to be able to work on sight words without you there. Let me introduce to you a real and really good solution to this problem.

Sight Word Printables

Let me introduce you to an idea that I had brewing in my head for some time. Sight Word Printables. Here is how they work. Your student scans the QR code with a smart device. (You must have wifi or internet access.) An AUDIO file comes up that lasts 4-6 minutes long. It is a direct sight word instruction lesson for that student to help them learn that specific sight word.

You can see below what appears on the screen as it matches the paper.

Why Audio Codes?

Let me explain why I purposeful chose to use an audio file. I created both audio and visual codes and tested them with my students. I learned that when my students used an audio file, they tracked the text better, followed along more accurately, and overall did a better job learning the sight word presented. When they used the visual, or movie, file they were too busy watching the video than learning.

I also know that YouTube can cause issues at many schools. I purposefully did not create these codes using YouTube.

Use Your Data

Once you assess your students on sight words, grab a class list and write down one word that each student is lacking. You could even write down two or three.

-This can be a word you have already taught, but that students somehow missed or didn’t assess as accurate.
-It could also be a work you are currently working on.
-It could even be an extension to push another student forward with a word you haven’t taught yet.

Next, grab the sight word printable your student is lacking. You can provide them a paper version or you can slip it into a clear page protector for reuse with a dry erase marker. (This is the option I use.)

Then, your student scans the word and get their direct instruction for that specific sight word. Best yet. You do not have to be the one teaching them. The audio file can do that for you!

Personalized Learning with Sight Word Printables

Here is a real world example from my classroom during RTI time. I have 4 students all working on a different sight word, all at the same time. Of course, I could have each student working on their own sight words. This is great for early finishers, word work, morning work, HOMEWORK, and even more!

The Biggest Trick is Management

My biggest issue was simple. My kids learn a few hundred words in kindergarten so that could potentially be a hard task to manage. After trying a few different ways, but let me share with you the way that actually worked for me!

I got this file organizer from Amazon because it had tabs for A-Z. I printed out my Sight Word Printables. Then I organized them alphabetically. I try to put each printable into a clear page protector if I have enough as well. If not, I place a lot of page protectors in the back of this file organizer. (I tried using a binder, but I was opening and closing it constantly, so this slip in and out organizer was amazing.)