What are popcorn words? 

Popcorn words are words that should just pop out of your mouth the instant that you see them.  They are also called sight words.  A large sight word vocabulary enables children to read with more confidence and allows them to focus on making sense of  what they are reading.

Here are some ways to support sight word mastery at home.

READ EVERYDAY! Reading sight words in context is the best way to reinforce words your child practices at school.

Use the provided “popcorn” word cards to play these games:

Scavenger Hunt: have your child look for a particular word in a book.  See how many times they can find it in one minute.

Flashlight Words: choose up to ten words and lay them flat on the floor.  Turn off the lights and use a flashlight to illuminate one word.  Have your child read the word out loud as you light it up.

Swat the Word: lay the cards flat on the floor.  Say a word and have your child swat the correct word with a fly swatter.

Stepping Stones:  use chalk to write the words on the pavement.  Have your child step along the ‘stepping stones’ reading the words out loud as they jump from one to another.

Remember to have fun!