Trick Words

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Trick Words, sight words, or heart words, they are all the same. They are words that are tricky to read and/or write because they have unusual spellings, contain new sounds and graphemes, or don't follow ordinary phonemic rules. Parts of these words, if not all cannot be sounded out. Instead, your child needs to learn these by memorizing them.

Why are they so important? Many trick words are ones that students see often in text, so it's important to teach kids how to spell and pronounce them. Recognizing words by sight helps children become more fluent readers.

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Here are some fun suggestions to support your child's learning at home:

• Have your child write each word on an index card and put them on a metal ring. Keep a set of cards in the car, and at home. When there is a spare moment, have your child practice reading and spelling the words. Your child may also want to try to put the word(s) into a sentence.

• Use magnetic letters on the refrigerator and every night practice spelling two or three different words.

• Try to “Sky Write” the words with your child. Hold your arm stiff like a board out in front of you and "print" the letters in the air that make up the word. Say the letters as you print them and then say the word.

• Create two sets of index cards and play "Concentration" or "Go Fish." Once you, or your child, have a pair of words, stop for a minute to spell the word. Then read the word together. This will help your child to make the visual and auditory connection with the word.

• Use a paintbrush and a cup of water to “paint” the words on the driveway or sidewalk.

• Sprinkle flour or salt in a baking sheet pan with sides. Your child can practice spelling words with their finger in the pan.

• Write the sight words on sticky notes and place them on a wall. Turn down the lights and give your child a flashlight. Have your child shine the light on the words and read then spell each one they find.