How to Make Your Own Sight Word Wordsearch
The list of sight words, or the Dolch Word List, is made up of 200 words that make up a vast majority of common written language. Children who learn the sight words can be at a great advantage academically, as this can give them a head start on reading every other subject they may study. Homeschool parents and elementary school teachers use many methods to teach reading, and using puzzles is one of them. Make some word search puzzles with part of the sight word list appropriate for your child's age range. You'll help reinforce learning these important words.
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Instructions
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Make a list of the sight words you want to include in your puzzle. Create the list with your child's age and reading level in mind. Preschool children might do well with a list of eight to ten words, while children in older grades often enjoy puzzles with 25 or 30 words on their list.
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Write each sight word on the graph paper in a random spot. Write the first letter of the word in one square. Write the second letter of the word in an adjacent square, either across, up and down or diagonally. Make some words go forward and some backward. Place all the words in random order all over the grid in the graph paper.
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Fill in the leftover empty spaces in the graph paper with random letters. Begin writing the alphabet and place each letter in a random space on the grid. Continue writing the letters of the alphabet over and over until the entire grid has been filled.
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Give your child the finished puzzle and the sight word list. Explain how the words can be backward and forward, as well as aimed in any direction.
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Tips & Warnings
Make copies of your puzzle to keep for future use. They can be fun on a rainy day or during summer vacation.
References
- Photo Credit pen in hand and crossword image by Nikolai Sorokin from Fotolia.com
