English · First words
Sight words
Read words on sight.
What are sight words?
Sight words are special words we see a lot. We learn to read them quickly without sounding out. Words like 'the' and 'I' are sight words. Knowing them helps us read faster!
Why sight words are helpful
These words appear in almost every book you read. When you know them straight away, reading is easier. You can enjoy stories without stopping on every word. That makes reading fun!
How to learn sight words
Look at the word carefully. Say it out loud. Look at the letters inside it. Try writing it down. Read it again and again. Soon you will remember it!
Practice makes perfect
The more you see a word, the easier it gets. Read books every day. Point to sight words when you see them. Before long, you will know lots of them. Well done!
Worked examples
1. Which word is this: t-h-e
- Look at all the letters together.
- This word is 'the' — we see it everywhere!
- Say it: the. Now you can read it on sight.
2. Which word is this: I
- This word has just one letter.
- It is the word 'I' — it means you!
- When you see 'I', you can read it straight away.
3. Which word is this: a-n-d
- Look at the letters: a, n, d.
- Put them together to make 'and'.
- This word joins things together. You know it now!
Try it yourself
Which word is this: t-o
Ready to test yourself?
Take a short topic test — every question maps to a syllabus point so you’ll see exactly which parts you’ve mastered.