What is the difference between sight words and tricky words?
Sight words or tricky words – Is a sight word and a tricky word same? As a trainer, I face this question many times. No, they are not same. Let’s understand this.
We recognize a sight word by looking, rather than sounded out phonetically. These are typically high-frequency words. The children encounter them frequently in reading. Example such as “the,” “and,” and “to.” The kids learn them often through repetition and memorization. The children can quickly recognize and read them. They don’t have to sound them out every time.
Tricky word is not easily sounded out using phonics rules. They require memorization. These may be irregularly spelled. The children spell them and learn them. They can be difficult for children to read and spell. Examples include “was,” “said,” and “where.”
Here are some easy steps that kids can follow to improve their reading fluency:
Start with a comfortable reading level: Kids should start with books that are at their comfortable reading level. This will help them to build their confidence and develop their fluency gradually.
Practice reading aloud: Encourage kids to read aloud, as it helps them to hear their own voice and develop their oral reading skills.
Use a timer: Use a timer to track reading speed and encourage kids to increase their reading pace over time.
Read with expression: Encourage kids to use their voice to convey meaning, using the appropriate tone, pitch and inflection.
Break up longer passages: If a book has long passages, encourage kids to break them up into smaller sections to help maintain fluency.
Focus on accuracy: Kids should concentrate on reading accurately, rather than rushing through the text. This will help them to build their comprehension and fluency skills.
Read a variety of texts: Encourage kids to read a variety of texts, including fiction and non-fiction books, magazines, and newspapers. This will help them to develop their fluency and comprehension skills.
- Remember to make reading fun and enjoyable for kids. By incorporating these steps into their reading routine, they can improve their fluency and become more confident and effective readers.
