Sight Word Practice Hub
Sight Words Practice - Word Lists, Teaching Tips, and Videos for Students
Welcome to our Sight Words Practice Hub - your one-stop resource for helping students master the most common words they'll encounter in reading.
On this page, you’ll learn what sight words are, discover proven strategies for teaching them, and access free Dolch and Fry word lists for every level. You’ll also find engaging videos your students can watch to practice and review—perfect for classroom centers, ESL lessons, or homeschool learning. Whether you’re teaching kindergarteners their first sight words or helping older students close reading gaps, these tools and tips will make sight word learning both effective and enjoyable.
What Are Sight Words?
Sight words are the most common words in the English language - words children need to recognize instantly without sounding them out. Because these words appear so frequently in books, stories, and everyday print, knowing them by sight builds reading fluency and confidence.
When students no longer have to pause to figure out "the," "said," or "where," they can focus on understanding the meaning of the text. Mastering sight words early sets the foundation for success in reading, writing, and overall communication.
Dolch vs. Fry Sight Words - What's the Difference?
Teachers and reading specialists often use two main systems for sight words:
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Dolch Sight Word List – Created by Dr. Edward William Dolch in the 1930s–40s, this list has 220 service words (like and, come, play) and 95 nouns (like dog, school). Dolch words are organized by grade level: Pre-K, Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade.
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Fry High Frequency Word List – Developed by Dr. Edward Fry, this list contains the 1,000 most common English words in order of frequency. The words are grouped into sets of 100, making it easy to teach progressively across multiple grades.
When to use them:
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Use Dolch words for younger grades to match reading levels.
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Use Fry words when working with older students, ESL learners, or when focusing on vocabulary for real-world reading.
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Many teachers blend the two lists depending on their students’ needs.
Free Dolch Sight Word Lists
Here are the Dolch word lists you can download and use for planning:
Pre-K/Primer Dolch Words
For early learners just beginning to read
First Grade Dolch Words
Expands reading vocabulary and sentence variety
Kindergarten Dolch Words
Core list for building reading fluency
Second Grade Dolch Words
Supports comprehension with more complex words
Third Grade Dolch Words
Prepares students for higher-level reading materials
Free Fry High Frequency Word Lists
These lists are a great choice for all grade levels and English learners:
First 100 Words
Appear in nearly half of all written text
Third 100 Words
Improve fluency and comprehension
Second 100 Words
Add depth to students' reading and writing vocabulary
Fourth 100 Word List
For advanced readers and intervention
Student Practice Videos
Tips for Using Videos in Class and at Home
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Play during morning work or as a center activity
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Use for calm-down time after recess or lunch
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Encourage the students to say the words aloud as they appear on the screen
Dolch Sight Words by Grade Level
Each video features clear visuals and soothing background music so students can focus while staying relaxed. Videos are grouped by Dolch list level, making it easy to assign the right set for your students.
Fry Sight Words Practice
These videos are organized into groups of 100 words, perfect for building vocabulary in manageable chunks.
