The ideas behind the Parrotfish Sight Words App
Some Hints:
This sight words app should be used in conjunction with a systematic decoding program and exposure to lots of literature to teach that meaning and enjoyment is of utmost importance and the real reason we learn to read. For a child to read fluently they must be able to decode efficiently and have a good body of instantly recognizable sight words. This frees them to spend their energy on comprehending the story. A good bank of sight words which can be recognized instantly helps students gain success in reading. It gives them a structure around which to build other skills such as comprehension and decoding, and the
confidence to take risks when reading texts. Most children will never need to be taught to the end of the list of 200+ words, as once they are really reading; many words will be learnt in context. Don’t force competent readers to continue on through the list, and certainly not in one year. It could take some learners 2 to 3 years to get through the list, typically the entire 200+ words should be mastered before the child is 8 years old, and however, competent learners will know them all much earlier. You don’t need to wait until the child starts school; you can start introducing a child to sight words in the year before going to school. Don’t worry about what list of words you use – learning the reading and memory skills is what is important This app allows progress at the child’s rate, providing motivation through reward mechanics and instant feedback as they play the game Utilize all their learning modes. The app utilizes auditory, visual and kinesthetic learning / teaching modes Children need to generalize their newly acquired skills - teach them to see words around them and in context, - use different fonts - ensure they hear the words with different accents and voices - Above all try to keep learning fun
Source: http://parrotfish.com.au/ideas-behind-parrotfish-sight-words-app/