Fluency starts with confidence, and confidence starts with sight words! In this episode of The Education Connection, Robin Wilson shares practical ways to help young readers recognize high-frequency words instantly, freeing their brains to focus on comprehension and meaning.
You’ll learn how sight words support fluency, how many to focus on each year, and why those little words make a big impact. Robin also shares her favorite classroom-tested activities and a free resource to help you put it all into practice.
🧠 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
- Why sight words are the key to building fluent, confident readers
- The difference between Fry and Dolch lists (and how to start if you don’t have a program)
- How the first 100 words make up about 50% of what kids read — and the first 300 words cover 65%
🎯 Try This in Your Classroom:
Sight Word Parking Lot Write words on index cards and let students “drive” toy cars to the ones you call out. This quick, movement-based activity builds instant recognition while keeping learning playful and fun!
Grab Robin’s Free Spelling Practice Pack, perfect for reinforcing sight words and phonics patterns through editable weekly templates. 👉 Download it now at Robin Wilson First Grade Love Spelling Practice First Grade
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9 Every sight word you teach is a seed of confidence that will grow in your students over time.
If this episode encouraged you, please share it with a teacher or homeschool mom—it helps more than you know! And when you leave a 5-star rating and review, you’ll be entered into a $25 Amazon gift card giveaway.
Subscribe to The Education Connection so you never miss a new episode filled with practical classroom ideas and heart-centered teaching inspiration.
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
Pinterest
Coaching
Blog
Teachers Pay Teachers:
Find Reading Comprehension Strategies Bundle
Find Genesis Bible Stories Bundle
Nov 17 202514 min