Sight words
Sight Word Sentences
Short sentences built only from Dolch sight words and nouns, for reading practice, dictation and copying, with a hangman game of whole sentences.
Read the word list
Knowing a word on a flash card is not the same as reading it in a sentence. Sentences are where sight words have to work together, and where a child finds out that the word the really is everywhere. This page collects short sentences made only from the Dolch lists: service words from all five levels, plus the Dolch nouns.
Each sentence has three to eight words, with no punctuation and no capital letters, so a child can focus on the words and not on the marks. The text is plain on purpose. Some sentences are silly, like the pig ate corn in the garden, because silly sentences are easier to remember and more fun to read aloud.
Because every word comes from a Dolch list, you can match a sentence to a level. A sentence with only pre-primer words, such as the big red dog can run, suits an early reader. Others reach into second and third grade words and give a step up.
- the big red dog can run
- i see a little yellow bird
- we can play in the snow
- she ate a red apple
- the cat is under the table
- my brother said yes
- he went to the farm
- they saw a brown horse
- can you help me find my shoe
- look at the funny rabbit
- the baby is going to sleep
- we want to ride the boat
- i like to eat bread and milk
- the duck ran down the hill
- please give the doll to her
- my mother made a cake
- where is the black cat
- the sun came up this morning
- who will help the farmer
- i know the way home
- we must walk to school
- the green bird will sit in the tree
- they live in a white house
- he can jump over the box
- the fish is in the water
- please open the window
- it is cold and the wind is here
- my sister has a new ring
- the pig ate corn in the garden
- i wish for a warm coat
- the girl found her red ball
- come and see the new kitty
- every night we read a letter
- the farmer got his chicken
- do you want some milk
- thank you for the toy
- the little goat is very fast
- she can draw a picture
- we sit around the fire
- the sheep eat grass
- he never put the egg down
- i can carry the box
- stop and look at the bear
- the squirrel ran up the tree
- my father will pick a flower
- what do you think of the song
- one two three go
- which door is open
- she will ring the bell
- today we play a game
Teaching it
Read each sentence aloud first, with the child pointing under every word. Then ask them to read it alone. For dictation, say the sentence once, have the child repeat it, and write it word by word; check each against the page, and treat a missed word as a clue for next week's list.
In the game, the whole sentence is the target, so players must keep the order of words in mind. Use it with older beginners, or as a challenge once single words are secure. Set the pace to the child: let them see the finished sentence and read it aloud after each round.
Print a Sight Word Sentences worksheet
Eight puzzles on one US Letter page, with a clue, letter blanks, an empty frame to draw in, an alphabet strip to cross off and circles to count misses. Page two is the answer key.
Need another sheet?
Draw eight different words from this list, right here. Same layout, new answer key.
Keep going
- Dolch Sight WordsThe Dolch service words from pre-primer to third grade, with the history behind the list, a difficulty score for each word and hangman to practice.
- Pre-Primer Sight WordsThe 40 Dolch pre-primer words, the first level of the list, with hangman, difficulty scores and a printable worksheet and answer key.
- Primer Sight WordsAll 52 Dolch primer words, from all and am to who and yes, with hangman, per-word difficulty and a printable worksheet.
- First Grade Sight WordsThe 41 Dolch first-grade words, from after and again to walk and when, with hangman, difficulty scores and a worksheet.
- Second Grade Sight WordsThe 47 Dolch second-grade words, including because, their, would and don't, with hangman, difficulty scores and a printable.
- Third Grade Sight WordsThe 41 Dolch third-grade words, such as laugh, light, together and myself, with hangman, difficulty scores and a printable worksheet.