Can you imagine a world where Mondays didn’t equal teaching the week’s new literacy centers so your students’ could complete them independently? Well, it’s time to stop wishing and start doing because this dream has just become a reality with word work.
With 8 different choices, word work is just one literacy center that has transformed my small group teaching from whack-a-mole to… well, actual teaching. Gone are the days that I have to constantly get up and re-explain expectations and activities. I no longer feel like I’m repeating myself twelve thousand times, and I can actually teach a lesson! Why? Because the activities are the same from week to week, the words are the only thing that changes (Click here to read the previous post if you’re looking for a little overview on word work and what words students are using)
Let’s dive right into the 8 activities we use for word work in my classroom.
1.Whiteboards
What student DOESN’T love whiteboards? Students use dry erase markers (you can have regular markers, or you can make it super fun by providing them with exciting colors) to write their sight words. Your more advanced students can also use their sight words in sentences.
2. Wikki Stix
Wikki stix are so fun for kids, because it’s something they rarely get to use outside of school. Students use the wikki stix to build their sight words. This is not only great sight word practice, but it’s great fine motor practice as well. I like to use small wikki stix “mats” for students to build on so the table doesn’t get super sticky.
3. Letter stamps in play doh
My kids LOVE stamping, but I hate the mess that stamp pads make. Letting them stamp their sight words in play doh let’s them enjoy the fun of stamping without all the ink. Students flatten the play doh like a pancake, and stamp their words into it. I even like to use a laminated play doh “mat” so the table stays clean.
4. Boogie boards
Boogie boards are a fun, affordable addition to any classroom. My students think it’s pure magic when they click the button and all of their writing disappears. This is another activity where students might write their words or use their words in sentences.
5. Magnet letters
This word work activity always gave me an anxiety attack as I thought of all of the magnetic letters mixed up into one giant baggie. Once I found a large bead organizer at Michaels, my OCD heart was happy. Students use the magnetic letters to build their sight words or build an entire sentence. Then, they put the magnetic letters back into the correct space. (This is one where you will definitely want to model and practice putting the letters back!)
6. Rainbow writing
Getting to write in colored pencils attracts all of my kids to this word work activity. Students write their sight word in pencil, and then choose 3 of their favorite colors to write it over and over.
7. Letter beads
Students build their sight words with letter beads and string them onto a shoelace or pipe cleaner. Just like with magnetic letters, use a large bead organizer to organize your letter beads so students can find the letters they need quickly, and can put them back in an organized way for the next person to use.
8. Magic words
If none of the other word work activities excite your kids, then THIS will be the one. Students write their sight words in white crayon, and then use a marker to color over the crayon. When they color over the white crayon, their sight words are magically revealed!
If you’re ready to dive in with word work, here are some freebies to get you started. I recommend teaching each activity at your small group table first, and then students will be ready to do them independently while you teach your small groups. Click here to download your word work freebies!
