Better Speller / Guides

How to Practice Sight Words at Home

Sight words are practiced best in short, frequent sessions with a small set of words at a time. Add the words to a list, hear each one read aloud, and start with the Spelling Choice game. Once they have mastered those words, they can work on mastering spelling them as well.

A simple way to practice

Start with a small set. Five to ten words at a time is easier to master than a whole list at once.
Use your teacher's list. Many schools send home Dolch or Fry sight word lists. Type the words in as one list.
Hear it and say it. Your child listens to the word, says it aloud, then spells it. Recording the word and a short sentence in your own voice helps younger learners.
Start with Spelling Choice. Your child hears the word and picks the correct spelling from 4 options. Once they have mastered those words, they can work on mastering spelling them as well.
Review often and add slowly. Add new words once the current ones feel easy, and bring old ones back now and then.

What Better Speller is, and is not

Better Speller practices spelling. It suits children who are ready to spell their sight words, not only recognize them. It is not a reading program.

Practicing sight words with Better Speller

Build one list for each set of words.
Every word is read aloud, by the built-in voice or by your own recorded voice.
Four games are built from the list. Start with Spelling Choice, and once they have mastered those words, they can work on mastering spelling them as well.
25 achievement badges reward steady practice.
It is free to try with up to 35 words, with every feature included.

Common questions

Which game should my child start with for sight words?

Start with Spelling Choice. Your child hears each word and picks the correct spelling from 4 options. Once they have mastered those words, they can work on mastering spelling them as well.

How many sight words should my child practice at once?

A small set, such as five to ten words, is easier to master than a long list. Add new words once the current ones feel easy.

Can I record sight words in my own voice?

Yes. Record each word and a short sentence in your own voice, or let the built-in voice read them. Hearing a familiar voice helps younger learners.

Does Better Speller teach reading?

No. Better Speller practices spelling, and it is best for children who are ready to spell their sight words as well as read them.

Try it with your own list

Better Speller is free to try, with no account and no ads, on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Android.