By Albine Klawatsch, Occupational Therapist, Certified Dyslexia Trainer
Practicing sight words is a long process and the app of the month is a great interactive source to support students in practicing them. It´s an amazing tool to recommend to parents, integrate into your existing learning support program, or provide great review and practice for older students who struggle with memorizing these words.
Sight words, also known as the Dolch words, are high frequency words that appear over and over in written materials. Many of these words cannot be decoded (sounded out) easily, so sight words must be memorized or recognized by sight. When students, especially those with dyslexia, focus on these words, it will help them to read faster, more accurately and with more confidence.
I See, I Spell, I Learn® products support early literacy in children. Their lovely paper flashcards with picture cues for better memorization are available for the iPad too. The flashcards enable users to work in a multisensory way and allow them to make the connections between word picture, word sound and word meaning. The supplier defines the benefits as followed:
- READING: Picture Sight Words™ are a research-based, multisensory teaching tool that helps children recognize and, thus, read sight words much faster. Picture cues allow a child to recall a picture instead of a letter – the picture provides a context that helps your child understand and recognize what the word says. Simply put, the picture tells a story which makes recalling the sight word easier.
- SPELLING: Picture Sight Words™ are the first cards that help a child spell sight words. The picture cue embedded in the word is in the shape of the tricky letter. Now when the child tries to recall that letter, he can recall the picture, which will tell him what letter it is because it has the same shape. The cards are not cluttered with confusing visuals. There is usually just one picture in the word, making recall easier. For the first time, your child can “draw” a word, and spelling sight words can become fun!
- COMPREHENSION: The sentence at the back of each card uses the sight word, and helps your child understand the meaning of the word in context. (I don’t know if you need the reference to the source: http://appshopper.com/education/picture-sight-words-see-the-picture-get-the-word)
The introduction comes along with some good recommendations on how to use the Picture Sight Words™ app. You can also find more tips on how to use the Picture Sight Words cards on their webpage
The first 6 flashcards are free to try!
Albine Klawatsch, M.Sc
Occupational Therapist, Certified Dyslexia Trainer
Albine is an Occupational Therapist at The Essential Learning Group, working in different cities around Shanghai. She has extensive experience in the field of neuro-pediatrics, in particular cerebral palsy. She has also treated children with mild to severe developmental delays.