Audience/Level: Any level, especially K–2

This easy-to-use and fun strategy solidifies knowledge of sight words while simultaneously practicing multiple language skills. Any age audience would benefit from this game-like activity, but I find it particularly useful with elementary school English language learners (ELLs).

The Hidden Words Activity

When introducing a new sight word, I write it on my dry-erase board and ask students to copy it on theirs. Then I ask that we start “to look for the words that are hiding inside our new sight word.” I encourage them to swap the letters while searching for words. Your students will quickly learn that there are indeed other words (and sometimes many!) “hiding” inside almost any word you present.

Both students and I then write down and number every word we find on the boards. In addition, we read all of the words aloud (starting with the sight word introduced). Following are some examples.

You can also extend this activity by asking your students to come up with oral and/or written sentences with a word of your or their choice. The activity can also be used for spelling and/or vocabulary words. With older children, you can assign points for every hidden word found, and turn it into a fun competition.

Benefits

There are several educational benefits of the Hidden Words activity.

Increased Phonemic and Phonological Awareness: When a child plays with letters and words, he or she gets more used to their look and pronunciation. Beginners increase their familiarity with letters and combinations of letters. Older children build more awareness of words and their correct spelling.

Confidence: A child who has had fun and success in word games may be more secure about their language skills and more likely to feel comfortable when reading and writing.

Vocabulary: A child may learn new words this way, or at the very least get an exposure to a word and its use in a sentence.

Variety: Word games may be the right activity at a particular moment or for a particular student group when a fun element is needed while pursuing language development.

Independent learning and creativity: Such games foster both.

Finding hidden words addresses multiple language skills and does so in a fun and engaging way!

Anna Michenko is a full-time EL teacher with the Loudoun County Public Schools school district. She has been teaching EL, ESL, and ESOL (and loving it!) since 2004.