Literacy Helps for Parents

Sight Words (4 minutes)

Sight words are common words that kids should memorize so that they can recognize them quickly without having to sound them out. Sight words include words like "and" "they" "there" & "could."

Check your child's sight word comprehension with the downloadable chart below. For more lists of sightwords and common phrases, contact Linda or your child's teacher.

Sight Word Examples

Word Families (4 minutes)

Word families are groups of words with common patterns. The words "black" "pack" "jack" and "snack" are a word family because they all use the "-ack" sound and letters.

Check your child's word family recognition with the downloadable chart below. For more lists of word families, contact Linda or your child's teacher.

Word Family Examples

Shared Reading (10-15 minutes)

Take turns reading with your child. The goal is to move a story along even if your child isn't fluent or can't quite make the whole thing flow by themselves. Examples of shared reading could include:

• You read a page, they read a page (or paragraph, or sentence, etc.)
• You read until you reach a word they know
• You read a page, then they read the same page back to you (or paragraph)

Pick a book that is on their level and enjoyable for both of you!

Game (5-10 minutes)

Most kids get bored and antsy after sitting for so long. Break it up with a game that gets them excited again!

Game Ideas

• Write words on sticky notes and place them around the room. Give your child a clean fly swatter or spatula. Call out words one at a time and have your child find and swat them.
• Write words on an inflatable beach ball. Take turns throwing the ball back and forth. Read whichever word lands closest to your thumb(s).
• Write words on paper squares and make a matching game. Read each word aloud as you take turns flipping the papers.

Writing (a few words)

Write 3 or 4 words from the things you practiced earlier. Writing helps solidifiy words and build fine motor skills.

If your child is reluctant, try letting him or her pick the writing tool (crayon, marker, pencil, etc.). You can even write in the sand or with water and a paintbrush on the sidewalk.

Make Reading Fun!