Sight Words

During the first couple of months in first grade we focus our literacy learning on sight words, and letter formation.  Dolch sight words are a list of the first words students need to know in order to read with fluency. They are often words that are difficult to 'sound out' or to translate.  Here is a website with information about dolch lists. It also provides a link to the lists of words so you can reinforce the learning at home. http://www.dolchsightwords.org/

Each literacy lesson begins with a whole class activity and then when finished they can choose an item from the 'Literacy Cafe Menu'

This week our whole class activity was both sight words and letter formation. This activity gives me a good chance to check their skills, and how they hold their pencils. A number of students are have difficulties with writing the 'small' e. This is something you could practice at home.

Simple activities that are easy to understand are great for the first few weeks while learning routines.  It is important in first grade that all students have basic skills. 

Other daily activities also encourage literacy learning. Here is our welcome board. We practice capital letters, speech marks and full stops.