Guided Reading Activities - Vocabulary and Sight Words
by Jodi Devine
(Sydney, NSW)
For the past two years I have worked on a concept of using words from guided reading books for students to practice vocabulary and sight words. This activity enables them to become more familiar with the words in the text which they are about to read.
I read the guided reading text BEFORE I use it with the students to identify theme words and words they may need to know in order to become more accurate and fluent readers. I note these words in my planning sheet for the group, type them in a word document (using the appropriate font), and then print the words at a reduced size. I also photocopy the front cover of the book and place the cut-up words into a small ‘snap-lock’ bag.
Whilst it does take some work, I have found that I am more prepared in understanding the reading strategies my students need for working out the selected words in the actual text.
This guided reading activity also allows for students to play BANG (as featured on this site), as I make up some BANG cards for the little bags.
Having a bank of words from the book also makes the isolated words more relevant and opens itself to many games and activities if you make multiple copies of the words – which can be passed on to other teachers and their classes when your students master the selected guided reading level.
Guided Reading Activities - Vocabulary and Sight Words
