Are You Working On Your Child's Sight Vocabulary by Deanna Mascle
What is sight vocabulary?

While many words in the English language can be read by emerging readers through various decoding skills or represented by picture, there are some words that simply must be learned by sight. In order to become a reader, your child must be able to instantly recognize these "sight words". Also known as "service words" these words are pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs which cannot be learned through the use of pictures.

Why is sight vocabulary important?

Sight words are service words which are necessary for understanding sentences. A reader who knows the Dolch words will recognize the majority of the words in a typical selection.

It is estimated that between 50-75% of all words used in school books, library books, newspapers, and magazines are sight words. In 1948, Edward William Dolch, Ph.D. presented a list of 220 word ... Read more »