Words of the Week

This weeks homework includes "words of the week" which we also refer to as word wall words and you may have heard others refer to these words as sight words or high frequency words. Word wall words are found frequently in books and are very important for students to learn because it helps them with reading, writing, and all other subject areas.

Word wall words are words that don't fit the rules of how letters sound and are not easily sounded out. We ask that you not have your child try to sound these words out. The best way to learn these words is by seeing them often in books, fun games, and activities.

Below are a list of ideas that you can be used with the weekly words:

• search for the words in a favorite book

• say the word, think of a word that rhymes

• say the word in a sentence

• write (or dictate) a sentence that uses the word

• use magnetic letters or letter tiles to play "Mix and Fix"

• play "Build a Man" (Hangman) with the words

• use the cards as flashcards to review words

• play the board game we sent home and before each move the student turns over the a card and has to read the word

Mix and Fix Directions

• give your child the letters to make the new word in order

• have your child slide their finger under the word while they say it

• now have the child mix (or scramble) the letters and fix the letters to remake the word

To play mix and fix you could use the following items:

• letters of the word written on paper by either you or child cut apart

• letter magnets

• letter tiles

• letter pasta

• index cards with a letter written on each card that goes with the word of the week