When children are able to read the first 100 high-frequency words this can help in providing a foundation for reading. The 100 words make up around 50% of written materials. When students are able to read these words, then this can make reading easier and make them feel more confident.
The best approach to teaching high frequency words is ‘whole-word’ approach. In this way we are helping students develop a ‘picture’ of the word in their mind and build a memory of it through repeated practice.
Step 1: Baseline
- Identify what words the child does not know from the 1st 200 high-frequency words. You can get the list of words from: highfrequencywords.org
Step 2: Get prepared
- Schedule the time to work. It is advised to work 2 times daily for 5 minutes.
- Pick 6-8 words per week.
- Create 4 copies of flash cards for each word.
Step 3: Implement
- Show the child the word and ask him/her to try and read it.
- Each time he/she get it correct, place it in the ‘yay’ or ‘success box’.
- If the child is not able to read it correctly, then say the word, ask him/her to repeat it, and put it back with the pile of words to practice again.
- By the end of the week, tick off the words that the child learnt.
- To make sure the child has retained the learnt words, each day review 5 additional words from the week before. In case, the child gets any of the words wrong, then add the words to the list again to practice.
