#Teaching sight words in second grade how to#

In this example, students' ideas help the whole class to learn to sound out words, and to find a new pattern in the language. I hope you see why Heidi and I make a great team. Ask simple questions like, 'What do you notice?' at the end of our songs to promote inquiry. Depending on your students' needs, you may want to focus on one word or play the sight words songs for 'Is,' 'As,' 'His,' and 'Has' daily. In my song, I say, 'S says /z/ at the end of some words: Is, as, his, has, s says /z/.' Now kids see four examples of a common pattern in the language. Let's focus on the observation that 's says /z/.' Ask children if they can think of any other words that follow this pattern. Heidi and I both have songs about sounding out words in our phonics sets. Now, you've used the inquiry process to set the stage for a discussion of skills: Sounding out words and learning that s says /z/. Ask kids, ' What do you notice about this song?' Heidi already gave them an idea.

#Teaching sight words in second grade how to#

There is no z.' Very young children and struggling readers will be motivated to sing and dance with the actors as they learn new words. Let's talk about how to expand on reading with this song. In Heidi's song 'Has,' she sings, 'First you make an 'h' and then an 'a' and then an 's,' and that is has, has, has. I've transcribed most of it below in case you'd rather read about it. I've made a video using two songs to show the power of music to teach this concept.

What if we consider that 's says /z/' is a legitimate spelling pattern, rather than an exception to a rule? Children can add 's says /z/' to their repertoire of phonics patterns, so that 100% of the word now 'makes sense.' Children can apply the new rule or pattern to a variety words, such as 'is,' 'as,' and 'his.' These are no longer 'sight words'-they're just words that follow (new) known patterns. Two-thirds of this word makes sense if you know basic letters and sounds, while only 1/3 of the word 'doesn't follow rules.' For example, in the word 'has,' two letters (h-a) can be sounded out using basic phonics skills. The latest research indicates that sight words are best taught in terms of phonics. In the video above, I've included an example that uses Science of Reading research-based concepts to teach sight words. When used together, we can provide a greater teaching and learning experience for you and your children. I am working with Heidi Butkus, and my songs will be included in her 'HeidiSongs' website. I'm so excited for a NEW development in my EduTunes journey.