The How of Teaching High-Frequency Words
Teaching high-frequency words is one part of an explicit phonics lesson sequence. This module provides guidance on incorporating the science of reading within high-frequency word instruction. Interactive module lessons include phoneme-grapheme mapping, the heart-word technique, and practice activities to reinforce the learning of high-frequency words. (Estimated completion time: 3 hours).
Prerequisites
Completion of The Why of Teaching Phonics & Word Recognition (Part 1), The What of Teaching Phonics & Word Recognition (Part 2), and The How of Introducing Phonics Patterns (Part 3). Taking courses in the recommended order helps you build a strong foundation in important concepts and practices related to teaching phonics and word recognition.
Teaching Word Recognition Instruction Series
Part 1: The Why of Teaching Phonics & Word Recognition
Part 2: The What of Teaching Phonics & Word Recognition
Part 3: The How of Introducing Phonics Patterns
Part 4: The How of Teaching High Frequency Words
Module Description
This module is the fourth part of a five-part series on Teaching Phonics and Word Reading Instruction. This module (Part 4) focuses on how to teach high-frequency words as part of an explicit phonics lesson sequence. With high frequency words being such a large percentage of written text, teachers must have a strong understanding of how to teach high frequency words explicitly and systematically to their students to promote proficient word recognition skills.
The following topics are discussed in the text, linked resources, embedded audio, and video:
- The difference between sight words and high-frequency words
- The neuroscience behind sight words
- Aligning high-frequency words to a phonics scope and sequence.
- Instructional routines and practice activities for teaching students high-frequency words
"Research shows that readers store 'irregular' words in their memory in the same way they store 'regular' words. That is, readers pay attention to each letter and the pattern of letters in a word and associate these with the sounds that they represent."
Although this module will likely be most helpful for K-3 educators, educators and stakeholders with students in all grades may find this module to be beneficial.
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