Helper Words

The Orange Helper Words

Here are the orange "Helper Words" from the new level that we are on. Helper words are sight words (words that can't be sounded out, such as "gone, the, have, one") and words that are in the Hooked on Phonics stories that we haven't learned how to sound out (such as words with the silent E and other blends we haven't learned yet).

These words are taught as a whole word (no sounding out involved). We have 2 zipper pouches (.97 at Wal-mart) that we keep these in. The purple pouch is for all the words that she knows very well. The teal pouch is for words that she doesn't know yet or struggles with.

This is our "game" that we play with these words. Each day she gets to hold the purple bag and I hold the teal one. I'll pull out one word at a time and if she reads it right away, she gets the word to put in her purple bag. She loves it when I act upset when she gets to keep one of my words from the teal bag.

Another way to teach the helper words is with the "Mixed-Up Whole Word" Game.

The Most Common Words in Written English

Here is a site that my friend told me about. It lists the most common words in written English from 1-200 in order of use. This is a great list to have for your little ones when learning to read. I'm going to copy and paste the list here, but it's probably easier to read from the link :)

Here are the Most Common Words in Written English

Words 1-20
the of and a to in is you that it he was for on are as with his they I

Words 21-40
at be this have from or one had by word but not what all were we when your can said

Words 41-60
there use an each which she do how their if will up other about out many then them these so

Words 61- 80
some her would make like him into time has look two more write go see number no way could people

Words 81-100
my than first water been call who oil its now find long down day did get come made may part

Words 100-120
over new sound take only little work know place year live me back give most very after thing our just

Words 121-140
name good sentence man think say great where help through much before line right too mean old any same tell

Words 141-160
boy follow came want show also around form three small set put end does another well large must big even

Words 161-180
such because turn here why ask went men read need land different home us move try kind hand picture again

Words 181-200
change off play spell air away animal house point page letter mother answer found study still learn should America world

Sight Words - 75 Most Common

Here are the 75 most common sight words, listed in order of the frequency with which they occur in text. Personally I don't think they ALL qualify as what I think of as "Sight Words" because some of them follow simple phonics rules.

the
a
is
you
to
and
we
that
in
not
for
at
with
it
on
can
will
are
of
this
your
as
but
be
have
he
I
they
one
good
me
about
had
if
some
up
her
do
when
so
my
very
all
would
any
been
out
there
from
day
go
see
then
us
no
him
by
was
come
get
or
two
man
little
has
them
how
like
our
what
know
make
which
much
his

Downloads - One of a Kind

One of a Kind

Words that don't follow any rule (teach as sight words)

Downloads - Odd Balls

Odd Balls

I think these are more words that don't follow any rule in the English language. You can correct me if I'm wrong. Teach these as sight words too :)