Finley's Sight Word Safari: A 9-Week Adventure!

A 9-week homeschool lesson plan for Finley (6 years old) to master Kindergarten sight words through engaging, creative, and application-focused activities. Each week introduces new words and reinforces previous ones with fun games, storytelling, and hands-on projects, moving beyond simple memorization to joyful literacy.

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Finley's Sight Word Safari: A 9-Week Adventure!

Welcome, Finley, to your Sight Word Safari! Over the next 9 weeks, we'll explore the exciting world of words together. Get ready for fun games, creative stories, and becoming a super sight word reader! We'll build a 'Safari Word Wall' and a 'Sight Word Treasure Chest' as we go!

Week 1: Safari Kick-off!

New Sight Words: the, a, I, see

This week, we're starting our amazing journey! Let's get to know our first set of explorer words.

Day 1: Meet the Words & Jungle Dough

  • Activity 1: Word Introduction. Introduce each word ('the,' 'a,' 'I,' 'see') using a flashcard. Say the word together. Make a silly sentence with it, like 'The silly monkey sees a banana!'
  • Activity 2: Sky Writing & Palm Tracing. Use your finger to write each word in the air, nice and big! Then, trace the word on your palm or Finley's palm.
  • Activity 3: Jungle Dough Words. Use playdough to roll out 'snakes' or shapes and form each sight word. We can pretend they are vines in our jungle!

Day 2: Safari Search & Animal Actions

  • Activity 1: Word Safari Hunt. Write the new sight words on separate pieces of paper and hide them around the room. Finley, you're the safari explorer! Find each word and read it aloud.
  • Activity 2: Animal Actions. Call out a sight word. Finley acts it out: 'see' (look through binoculars), 'I' (point to self), 'a' (make a small animal sound), 'the' (big lion roar!).

Day 3: My First Safari Story & Art

  • Activity 1: Sentence Building. Using 'I,' 'see,' 'a,' (and 'the'), help Finley create simple sentences. Write them on a large paper. Example: 'I see a [Finley says an animal].'
  • Activity 2: Safari Scene Art. Finley draws a picture of something she 'sees' on her pretend safari. Label it using the sight words, e.g., 'I see a lion.'

Day 4: Fishing for Words & Book Explorer

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Fishing. Write words on paper fish. Attach paperclips. Make a fishing rod (stick, string, magnet). Finley 'fishes' for words and reads them.
  • Activity 2: Book Explorer. Look through a favorite picture book. Hunt for 'the,' 'a,' 'I,' 'see.' Point them out.

Day 5: Review & Safari Badge

  • Activity 1: Quick Review. Flashcards for 'the,' 'a,' 'I,' 'see.' High-fives for correct answers!
  • Activity 2: Safari Badge & Word Wall. Create a 'Week 1 Safari Explorer' badge. Add these words to our 'Safari Word Wall.' Place mastered word cards into the 'Sight Word Treasure Chest.'

Week 2: River Adventure Words

New Sight Words: can, we, go, to

This week, our safari takes us to the river! Let's learn words that help us move and explore.

Day 1: Word Splash & Sensory Boats

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'can,' 'we,' 'go,' 'to.' 'We can go to the river!'
  • Activity 2: Water Writing. On a dark piece of construction paper or a small whiteboard, use a wet paintbrush or Q-tip to 'write' the words. Watch them disappear like magic!
  • Activity 3: Sight Word Boats. Make small paper boats. Write one sight word on each. Float them in a shallow tray of water (or pretend).

Day 2: Stepping Stones & 'We Can' Game

  • Activity 1: Stepping Stone Words. Write words on paper circles ('stones'). Lay them on the floor. Finley steps on each stone, reading the word, to 'cross the river.'
  • Activity 2: 'We Can' Game. Start a sentence 'We can...' and Finley finishes it with an action she can do (e.g., 'jump,' 'sing'). Then try 'I can go to...'.

Day 3: River Story & Word Mobiles

  • Activity 1: Sentence Chains. Start a sentence, e.g., 'I can see...' Finley adds to it using new or old words, e.g., 'I can see a fish go to the rock.' Write the collaborative story.
  • Activity 2: Word Mobiles. Cut out fish or boat shapes. Write sight words on them. Hang them from a paper plate or stick to make a mobile.

Day 4: 'Go Fish' with Sight Words & Sign Making

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Go Fish. Create pairs of sight word cards (new and old). Play 'Go Fish.'
  • Activity 2: Safari Signs. Make 'signs' for your safari using the words. E.g., 'Go to the cave,' 'We can see lions.'

Day 5: Review & River Rock Painting

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 8 words learned so far.
  • Activity 2: River Rock Painting. If you have smooth rocks, paint a sight word on one. Add to Word Wall/Treasure Chest.

Week 3: Jungle Friends

New Sight Words: and, like, is, it

This week we meet some jungle friends and learn words to describe them!

Day 1: Word Buddies & Playdough Pals

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'and,' 'like,' 'is,' 'it.' 'It is a monkey, and I like it!'
  • Activity 2: Word Tracing. Write words large on paper. Finley traces with her finger, then a crayon, then covers with small stickers or beans.
  • Activity 3: Playdough Pals. Make playdough animals. Then, form the sight words next to the pals they 'like.'

Day 2: 'I Like' & Word Hide-and-Seek

  • Activity 1: 'I Like' Sentences. Finley says sentences starting with 'I like...' (e.g., 'I like dogs and cats.'). Write them down.
  • Activity 2: Word Hide-and-Seek. Write words on sticky notes. Hide them. Finley finds them, reads them, and sticks them on a chart under 'New Words' or 'Review Words.'

Day 3: Animal Story & Puppet Show

  • Activity 1: Create an Animal Story. Use flashcards of animals and sight words to create a simple story together. 'It is a lion. I like the lion.'
  • Activity 2: Sight Word Puppets. Make simple paper bag or stick puppets. Give them names or have them 'say' the sight words.

Day 4: Memory Match & Label the Jungle

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Memory. Make two sets of current week's word cards. Play memory match.
  • Activity 2: Label the Jungle. Draw a big jungle scene or use toys. Create small labels with sight words (e.g., 'It is big,' 'I like it') and place them in the scene.

Day 5: Review & Jungle Journal Entry

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 12 words. Focus on using them in simple phrases.
  • Activity 2: Jungle Journal. Finley dictates or helps write a sentence about her favorite jungle animal using sight words. She can draw a picture. Add words to Word Wall/Treasure Chest.

Week 4: Mountain Climb Challenge

New Sight Words: my, look, at, big

We're climbing a sight word mountain this week! Get ready for some 'big' fun!

Day 1: Word Peaks & Sensory Bags

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'my,' 'look,' 'at,' 'big.' 'Look at my big mountain!'
  • Activity 2: Shaving Cream/Sand Tray Writing. Spread shaving cream or sand in a tray. Finley writes the words with her finger.
  • Activity 3: Sensory Bags. Fill a ziplock bag with a little paint or hair gel. Seal it well. Finley can 'write' words on the bag with her finger by squishing the contents.

Day 2: 'Look At' Spy & Obstacle Course

  • Activity 1: 'I Spy with My Little Eye'. Play 'I Spy', starting sentences with 'Look at my...' or 'I see a big...'.
  • Activity 2: Sight Word Obstacle Course. Set up a simple obstacle course. Place sight word cards at different points. Finley reads the word before moving to the next obstacle.

Day 3: My Big Adventure Story & Map Making

  • Activity 1: 'My Big Adventure' Story. Finley tells a story about a big adventure she had or imagines. Help her use the new words. 'Look at my big cave!'
  • Activity 2: Adventure Map. Draw a map of a pretend mountain adventure. Label parts of the map using sight words ('big rock', 'my path', 'look here').

Day 4: Word Hopscotch & Magazine Hunt

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Hopscotch. Create a hopscotch grid with sight words in the squares.
  • Activity 2: Magazine/Newspaper Hunt. Look for the words 'my,' 'look,' 'at,' 'big' in old magazines or newspapers. Cut them out and glue them onto a 'Big Words' poster.

Day 5: Review & Summit Flag

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 16 words.
  • Activity 2: Summit Flag. Finley makes a small flag. Write 'I can read my big words!' or similar using learned words. Plant it on a 'mountain' made of pillows. Add words to Word Wall/Treasure Chest.

Week 5: Treasure Map Quest

New Sight Words: for, you, me, little

X marks the spot! This week, we're on a treasure quest for new words!

Day 1: Word Clues & Treasure Chest Decorating

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'for,' 'you,' 'me,' 'little.' 'This little treasure is for you and me!'
  • Activity 2: Word Clues. Give simple clues for each word. 'This word means not big.' (little). 'This word is the opposite of 'I'.' (you).
  • Activity 3: Decorate the 'Sight Word Treasure Chest'. Use craft supplies to decorate the box where Finley keeps her mastered sight word cards.

Day 2: Gift Giving Sentences & Word Building

  • Activity 1: Pretend Gift Giving. 'This flower is for you.' 'This little car is for me.' Practice using 'for you' and 'for me.'
  • Activity 2: Magnetic Letter Building. Use magnetic letters to build 'for,' 'you,' 'me,' 'little' and other known words.

Day 3: 'A Little Story for You' & Character Creation

  • Activity 1: Story Time. Create a short story together titled 'A Little Story for You.' Try to use as many sight words as possible.
  • Activity 2: Sight Word Characters. Imagine the words are characters. 'Little' could be a tiny mouse. 'You' and 'Me' could be stick figure friends. Draw them!

Day 4: Treasure Hunt Game & Note Writing

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Treasure Hunt. Hide word cards. Create a simple map with X marking where 'treasures' (word cards) are hidden. Finley follows the map.
  • Activity 2: Simple Notes. Help Finley write a very simple note to someone, like 'For You,' or 'I like you,' using her words.

Day 5: Review & Golden Word Coins

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 20 words.
  • Activity 2: Golden Word Coins. Make 'gold coins' from yellow paper. Write a sight word on each one Finley reads correctly. Add to her Treasure Chest. New words to Word Wall.

Week 6: Secret Agent Words

New Sight Words: said, here, come, in

Agent Finley, your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to learn these secret words!

Day 1: Top Secret Introduction & Invisible Ink

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'said,' 'here,' 'come,' 'in.' Whisper them like secrets. 'The agent said, Come in here!'
  • Activity 2: Invisible Ink. Write sight words with a white crayon on white paper. Finley paints over them with watercolor to reveal the 'secret' words.
  • Activity 3: Code Breaker. Write a word with one letter missing (e.g., sa_d). Finley guesses the missing letter to 'break the code.'

Day 2: 'Come Here' Command Game & Room Search

  • Activity 1: 'Come Here' Game. Give commands like 'Come here and jump.' or 'Come here and find the word [said].'
  • Activity 2: 'In the Room' Search. Say 'I see the word [here] in the book.' Finley searches for items where words could be placed or found.

Day 3: Secret Message Story & Disguise Craft

  • Activity 1: Write a Secret Message. Together, write a short 'secret message' or story using the words. Fold it up elaborately.
  • Activity 2: Agent Disguise. Make a simple disguise element like paper glasses or a hat. Finley can wear it while being 'Agent Word Finder.'

Day 4: Word Scramble & Door Hanger

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Scramble. Write letters of sight words on individual small cards and scramble them. Finley unscrambles to make the words.
  • Activity 2: 'Come In' Door Hanger. Create a door hanger for Finley's room. One side says 'Come in!' (using sight words) and maybe the other says 'Secret Mission in Progress!'

Day 5: Review & Agent Debrief

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 24 words.
  • Activity 2: Agent Debrief. Finley 'reports' which words were tricky and which were easy. Celebrate mission success! Add words to Word Wall/Treasure Chest.

Week 7: Superhero Word Power

New Sight Words: play, run, find, funny

It's time for Superhero Finley to use her word power to play, run, find, and laugh!

Day 1: Word Power Up & Action Poses

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'play,' 'run,' 'find,' 'funny.' 'Super Finley can play and run to find funny things!'
  • Activity 2: Superhero Action Poses. For each word, strike a superhero pose! 'Play!' (jump), 'Run!' (running motion), 'Find!' (look around), 'Funny!' (laugh).
  • Activity 3: Word Building Blocks. Write letters on building blocks and build the sight words.

Day 2: 'I Can Play' & Outdoor Word Hunt

  • Activity 1: 'I Can Play...' Ideas. Brainstorm things Finley likes to play. Write sentences like 'I can play with [toy].'
  • Activity 2: Outdoor Word Hunt. If weather permits, hide word cards outside for Finley to run and find.

Day 3: Funny Superhero Story & Comic Strip

  • Activity 1: Funny Superhero Story. Create a story about a superhero who uses these words. 'Super Finley will find the funny cat.'
  • Activity 2: Simple Comic Strip. Draw 2-3 boxes to make a mini comic. Use speech bubbles with sight words. Eg., One character says 'Play?' Another says 'Run!'

Day 4: 'Find The Word' Game & Charades

  • Activity 1: 'Find The Word' Sensory Bin. Hide letter tiles spelling the sight words in a sensory bin (rice, beans). Finley has to find the letters and make the words.
  • Activity 2: Sight Word Charades. Act out the sight words (or sentences using them) for each other to guess.

Day 5: Review & Superhero Certificate

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 28 words.
  • Activity 2: Superhero Word Power Certificate. Create a certificate for Finley, 'Superhero of Sight Words!' Add words to Word Wall/Treasure Chest.

Week 8: Up, Down, and All Around!

New Sight Words: up, down, jump, help

This week our words are all about movement and helping!

Day 1: Movement Words & Body Letters

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'up,' 'down,' 'jump,' 'help.' 'Jump up and down! Can you help me?'
  • Activity 2: Body Letters. Try to make the shape of some letters in the words with your bodies (e.g., 'U,' 'P,' 'D').
  • Activity 3: Arrow Words. Draw arrows (up, down) and write the words 'up' and 'down' on them. Practice pointing.

Day 2: Simon Says & 'Help Me' Scenarios

  • Activity 1: Simon Says. Play Simon Says using the words: 'Simon says jump up.' 'Simon says point down.'
  • Activity 2: 'Help Me' Scenarios. Set up little 'problems' where Finley can 'help' (e.g., 'Can you help me find the red block?' 'Help me put this up high.').

Day 3: Story of a Helpful Adventure & Word Ladder

  • Activity 1: Helpful Adventure Story. Tell a story about someone who jumps, goes up and down, and helps others.
  • Activity 2: Word Ladder Game. Write words on rungs of a drawn ladder. Finley 'climbs' by reading each word. Add new words like 'jump' as special rungs.

Day 4: Beanbag Toss & Building Towers

  • Activity 1: Sight Word Beanbag Toss. Write words on targets. Finley tosses a beanbag and reads the word it lands on/near.
  • Activity 2: Build and Label Towers. Build a tower with blocks. Use sticky notes to label 'up' at the top, 'down' at the bottom. 'Help me build!'

Day 5: Review & Helper Award

  • Activity 1: Word Review. Review all 32 words.
  • Activity 2: 'Super Helper' Award. Give Finley a small 'Super Helper' award for learning her words and practicing helpfulness. Add words to Word Wall/Treasure Chest.

Week 9: Creative Colors & Grand Finale!

New Sight Words: make, away, one, red (or another color Finley likes)

Our last week of the Safari! Let's make something colorful and celebrate all we've learned!

Day 1: Colorful Introductions & Rainbow Writing

  • Activity 1: Introduce Words. Flashcards for 'make,' 'away,' 'one,' 'red.' 'Let's make one red thing go away!'
  • Activity 2: Rainbow Writing. Finley writes each new word multiple times, using a different color of the rainbow for each letter or each repetition.
  • Activity 3: 'One Red...' Sort. Gather various small objects. Have Finley find 'one red' object, then try 'one blue' etc. (reviewing 'one' and 'red').

Day 2: 'Make Away' Game & Color Hunt

  • Activity 1: 'Make Away' Game. Put some objects out. Say 'Make one red block go away.' Finley removes it.
  • Activity 2: Color Hunt. Go on a hunt for things that are 'red.' Then, try to use sentences like 'I see one red car.'

Day 3: 'Make One Red...' Story & Craft Creation

  • Activity 1: Story Time. Create a story using 'make,' 'away,' 'one,' and 'red' as key words. Perhaps about making one red bird fly away.
  • Activity 2: Make a 'Red' Craft. Make something that is predominantly red, like a red ladybug or a red heart, labeling it 'one red [item].'

Day 4: Sight Word Review Game Day! & Sentence Scramble

  • Activity 1: Favorite Game Review. Play Finley's favorite sight word game from the past 8 weeks, using a mix of all learned words.
  • Activity 2: Sentence Scramble. Write simple sentences using many of the learned words on strips of paper. Cut the words apart and have Finley put them back in order. 'I can see one big red car.'

Day 5: Safari Celebration & Word Master Crown!

  • Activity 1: Grand Word Review! Go through all 36 sight word cards from the Treasure Chest. Cheer for every word Finley knows!
  • Activity 2: Make a 'Sight Word Master' Crown. Decorate a paper crown. Finley can add some of her favorite learned sight words to it. Have a small 'graduation' ceremony from the Sight Word Safari!
  • Activity 3: Read a Book. Choose a simple reader book and have Finley try to read it, pointing out all the sight words she knows!

Congratulations, Finley, on completing your Sight Word Safari! You are a Sight Word Master!