Why Teach Sight Words?

                         Why Teach Sight Words in First Grade?

This question comes up a lot at our first parent/teacher conferences in September. As teachers, we know how important it is for these new readers to know their sight words but it is often tough to relay that to the parents. I put this little blurb in the homework packet with the other directions and expectations. It seems to work, the parents are asking this question less and less!

* The Common Core reading foundational standard (RF3) requires students to recognize words by sight. The translation of this standard has been that students need direct instruction on the Dolch sight words. In response, many districts are setting sight word goals at higher and higher levels. The most common measure is the Dolch 220 sight word list. Teachers everywhere have long checklists and can categorize who knows which sight words with ease. The goal?  Get to 220 and the student can read! *
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