English // Phonics & Word Reading
Reading High-Frequency Words by Sight
Read common high-frequency and exception words automatically by sight, including words with irregular spelling patterns
Quick check
Can the learner instantly recognise everyday words like 'said', 'was', 'they', 'come', and 'because' without needing to sound them out every time?
Ask this to see whether the topic is secure.
Topic // Mastery
What mastery looks like
- Read common exception words instantly without sounding out (e.g. 'the', 'said', 'was', 'you')
- Note unusual correspondences between spelling and sound in exception words
- Recognise at least 20-30 high-frequency words in connected text
Topic // Map
Where this fits
- RequiredMust come first
- HelpfulHelps, but not essential
Before this
2 topics- Knowing all lettersRequired
Phonics & Word Reading // Ages 4 to 6
Need to recognise letters to read sight words
Phonics & Word Reading // Ages 4 to 7
Blending helps attempt unfamiliar words but sight words bypass phonics
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Reading High-Frequency Words by Sight
Ages 5 to 8 // Method
Leads to
4 topics- Reading fluentlyRequired
Phonics & Word Reading // Ages 5 to 7
Need sight word bank for fluency
- Decoding unfamiliar wordsRequired
Phonics & Word Reading // Ages 7 to 9
Y3-4 exception words build on recognition of Y1-2 common exception words
- Number Words to TwentyHelpful
Mathematics // Number Representation & Place Value // Ages 5 to 6
Many number words are irregular and must be recognised as sight words
- HomophonesHelpful
Spelling & Word Study // Ages 7 to 9
Exception word knowledge supports homophone discrimination
Topic // Standards
Curriculum standards
- Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
- RF.1.3.gRF.2.3.fRF.K.3.c
- The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document
- Eng/KS1/Y2/WR/6Eng_App1_Y1_55Eng_App1_Y2_26Eng_Y1_RWR_04
English // Phonics & Word Reading
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