High Frequency Word Wall Work

High Frequency Words

High frequency words, or sight words, are typical words that students encounter frequently in reading and writing. We call them “word wall words” because as we introduce them at school then they go on our “word wall”. What makes many of these words difficult to learn is that many do not follow the typical phonetic rules of English. Our goal in kindergarten and first grade is to learn as many of these words as possible so that students don’t “get stuck” on them in their reading. This helps them read more fluently and therefore, increases comprehension. Ensuring that students learn these words requires more than just having them look at flash cards. Flash cards aren’t bad but students need to explore and experiment with the words in different ways. Since these words are so important for your child to learn, you are now going to work on them on the HBL days.

Here’s what I need you to do…

1. Find the enclosed word list and have your child read them. Put a star by the known words. Now you know which words your child needs to work on at home on HBL days. Recheck them every couple of weeks. When your child has learned their entire list, let me know and I’ll get you the next list.

2. Make flashcards for each known word on 3 x 5 index cards. Write in large letters. They don’t have to be D’Nealian but make them nice and neat for easy reading. Keep them in a box for index cards or put them on a metal ring. As your child masters more words, make flashcards for them and add them to your collection. Each HBL day, take the known words and review them.

3. Each HBL day, you will choose from a list of activites to do with one or two of the unknown words. Some of these activities will be visual oriented; others may be auditory or even kinesthetic (hands-on). Try different ones and see which are more helpful for your child.

4. On some days, I will send home a few paper and pencil activities with your child’s words on them. Use to reinforce your other word work.

5. After a new word is mastered, (your child can read it on their own quickly), make a new flashcard to add to your collection.

The last couple of years, the kids learned these words much quicker by working on them at their own pace on HBL days, in addition to the work we were doing with them as a class at school. The first grade teacher will be happy if they know as many as possible.