Sight Words (Puzzle Words)

Some words do not follow phonetic patterns but appear frequently. Recognizing these 'puzzle words' allows children to read more complex texts with fluency.

• Framework: Montessori
• Unit: Language
• Learning area: Reading
• Level: Ages 4-6

Objectives

• Recognize high-frequency non-phonetic words
• Build reading fluency
• Expand readable text range
• Develop word recognition automaticity

Materials

• Sight word cards (the, is, was, have, said, etc.)
• Sentence strips containing sight words
• Games and activities for practice

Instructions

1. Present 3 sight words. 2. 'This word is THE. It's a puzzle word.' 3. Use in sentence: 'The cat sat.' 4. Three-period lesson for word recognition. 5. Practice with games and sentence reading. 6. Add new words gradually. 7. Review regularly.

Educator tip

Introduce sight words alongside phonetic reading. Call them 'puzzle words' to acknowledge they don't follow rules.

Assessment

Child recognizes sight words automatically in context.

More from Language

• Introduction to Nouns
• Introduction to Verbs (Action Words)
• Introduction to Adjectives
• Phonogram Work: Long Vowels
• Compound Words
• Prefixes and Suffixes Introduction
• Object Box: Initial Sounds
• Rhyming Activities