Practice of high frequency words sometimes presents a challenge to parents.   If your child is having a LOT of trouble learning these words, then use only 3 or 4 unknown words per session and include words previously learned, so that your child will feel successful instead of frustrated.

When you make practice into a game, it becomes FUN! Almost any game you play could potentially be turned into a reading game- your imagination is your limit.  Here are some games to get you started:

                                                                             Word Cards and Dice

Materials:       Word Cards and . . . Dice!

Line up the word cards in a row or column.  The child throws the die.  If he rolls a 4, he reads the fourth card.  If he rolls a six, the 6th card etc. etc.  There is no winner, but your child could keep track of points with tallies if desired.

One, Two, Three!

Materials:  deck of high frequency word cards plus a few cards that say BOO! (you will need to make the BOO! cards)

   paper and pencil for each player to keep score

The deck consists of words to be read and an occasional Boo Card. Ask each player in turn, “One, Two, Three?” They respond, indicating how many cards they would like. Deal out face up the appropriate number of cards for each player. The player reads each one, getting a point for each correct answer. Any card missed is given to the next to see if they can get it right, thus earning bonus points. If a player is dealt a Boo Card, she loses her turn. The winner has the most points at the end of the time. The players keep track of points with tally marks.  There is an element of luck here, so children can potentially beat their parents!

Oh, No!

Materials: high frequency word cards in basket plus a few cards with Oh No! written on them (you will need to make)

Place cards in basket. The players, in turn (without looking in the basket), draw a card. If they can read it, they keep it. If they draw an Oh No! card they lose ALL their cards. If they cannot read their word, let another player read it for an EXTRA turn. The winner has the most cards.  Again, there is an element of luck, so children can beat their parents!

Go Fish

Materials: double set of word cards (you will need to either photo copy the cards or make another set)

Each player is dealt 4 cards. Leftover cards form a draw pile in the middle. On a turn, the player asks someone in the group for a card (partner to one that they already have in their hand)- ex.: “Do you have glad ?” They may NOT spell out the word; they MUST read it. You may help them when they don’t know a word (help by helping them blend it, if it is not a 'doozer' word). If that person has the card, they must give it up. If not, they say “Go Fish,” and the asking player draws a card from the draw pile. If the asking player gets the card they asked for, either from another player or from the draw pile, they put the pair down and get another turn. To play, each player must have four cards, which they must replenish from the draw pile (except at the end, when everyone is running out). The winner has the most pairs.

The Brain Game

Materials: high frequency word cards-  1 for every player. It's best if there are 4 or 5 players- so, invite the neighbors!

Each player holds a card right side up on their forehead. One player doesn’t have a card at the beginning. Go around and have each player tell what their card says, so they are familiar at the start of the game. Then say, for example, “Bobby, have”. Bobby then gives you his card, “have.” Put this card on your forehead. Now, Bobby doesn't have a card on his forehead, so he asks another player for his card. No backsies (you can’t ask the person who just asked you)! The game continues- there is no winner! You may change to different cards during the game.

Beanbag Toss

Materials: word cards spread out on floor, beanbag

Each player in turn throws the beanbag. The player reads the word on the card where the beanbag lands. He gets a point for each word read correctly (keep track by giving a counter for each point or keep tallies).

HAVE FUN!!!