sight words Archives - Tales from Outside the Classroom

Sight words, high-frequency words, and heart words: Getting Started with the Science of Reading

Sight Words, High Frequency Words, and Heart Words, Oh My! Getting Started with SoR

Today’s post is another area that can be confusing and deserves its own focus: sight words, high frequency words, and heart words. To really understand the science we need to be clear about the similarities and differences between each of these commonly used terms and clear up misconceptions. For starters, high-frequency words and sight words truly aren’t synonyms. Nor are sight words the words we need to memorize because they can’t be sounded out. Both

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Sight Words Turkeys

Learning sight words can be tricky and I’m always looking for new ways for students to practice their sight word recognition. One of the best way to improve students’ abilities to read sight words, is by having them read the words in various settings and fonts. Often, while doing sandwich drills with flash cards, I’d grow frustrated that students would know the word when they were working with me, but if they saw it anywhere

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Word Work in the Middle Grades

As a third grade teacher, I find that my word work center activities cover a variety of skills. I want my students to review and refine their sight word knowledge specifically focused on the correct spelling of many high frequency words. I want them to apply the phonics skills from the previous years and our current year’s instruction. I want them to begin to recognize and apply affixes and have a base level understanding of

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Sight Word Shakers

I receive office supplies from Shoplet.com from time to time to try out. I was super excited when these Astrobright sets arrived at my house. I received the Neon Astrobrights colored paper and the Happy Astrobrights colored card stock sets. I generally just use the colored paper that my school supplies and I rarely, rarely have used card stock. Well, after using both of these sets, I don’t think I’ll be going back to either. I

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Thanksgiving Ideas for Home and School

First up, I’m so excited to be joining in on First Grade and Fabulous‘s Thanksgiving Recipes linky party. So, the first recipe I’m sharing with you is for Apple Pie Moonshine. I understand that it may not be a typical Thanksgiving recipe. But, I know that many of you need some help to make it through the holidays so this might be the perfect addition to your recipe collection! Plus, it’s delicious! It’s seriously

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Hi! I’m Tessa!

I’ve spent the last 15 years teaching in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, and working beside elementary classrooms as an instructional coach and resource support. I’m passionate about math, literacy, and finding ways to make teachers’ days easier. I share from my experiences both in and out of the elementary classroom. Read more About Me.