Fry Sight Words

Fry Sight Words are a list of the most frequently used words in the English language, compiled by Dr. Edward Fry in the 1950s. Originally designed to help students improve their reading fluency, the Fry Sight Word list includes 1,000 words that are essential for readers of all ages. These words appear frequently in written texts, and mastering them helps students read more efficiently and with better comprehension.

In this article, we will explore the Fry Sight Word list, its importance in literacy development, how it differs from the Dolch Sight Words, and provide examples and strategies for teaching these words to students.

What Are Fry Sight Words?

Fry Sight Words are high-frequency words that appear most often in reading materials. Dr. Edward Fry compiled the list based on the words that appear most frequently in books, newspapers, and other written texts. The list is organized into groups of 100 words, with the first 100 being the most common. These words account for nearly 90% of the words found in typical reading materials, making them essential for fluent reading.

Much like Dolch Sight Words, many Fry words are irregular or non-phonetic, meaning they cannot be easily sounded out using phonics rules. Therefore, students need to recognize these words instantly to improve their reading fluency and comprehension.

Why Are Fry Sight Words Important?

High Frequency: Fry words appear often in texts, so students encounter them frequently. Learning these words helps children read more quickly and accurately.
Reading Fluency: Mastering Fry words allows students to focus on understanding the meaning of the text rather than decoding individual words, improving overall reading fluency.

Comprehension: When students can instantly recognize Fry words, they are better able to focus on the context and meaning of what they are reading, leading to improved comprehension.
Building Confidence: Recognizing high-frequency words boosts students’ confidence in reading and encourages them to engage with more challenging texts.

Structure of the Fry Sight Word List

The Fry Sight Words are divided into groups of 100 words, starting with the most frequent words. Each set becomes progressively less common but still represents essential words for reading fluency. The list is typically broken down into 10 levels of 100 words each, making it easier to teach and assess.

Breakdown of Fry Sight Words:

First 100 Words: These are the most frequently used words in the English language and are essential for early readers. These words make up about 50% of all written material.
Second 100 Words: These words are also very common and help students build on their reading foundation.
Third 100 Words: As students progress, these words become important for expanding their reading abilities.

Fourth to Tenth 100 Words: These words appear less frequently but are still common in texts, especially in academic and more advanced reading materials.

Examples of Fry Sight Words

Here are some examples of Fry Sight Words from different levels of the list:

First 100 Fry Words:

Words: the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it, he, was, for, on, are, as, with, his, they, I.

Second 100 Fry Words:

Words: over, new, sound, take, only, little, work, know, place, year, live, me, back, give, most, very, after, thing, our, just.

Third 100 Fry Words:

Words: every, near, add, food, between, own, below, country, plant, last, school, father, keep, tree, never, start, city, earth, eyes, light.

Fourth 100 Fry Words:

Words: began, grow, took, river, four, carry, state, once, book, hear, stop, without, second, late, miss, idea, enough, eat, face, watch.

Fifth 100 Fry Words:

Words: young, talk, soon, list, song, being, leave, family, body, music, color, stand, sun, questions, fish, area, mark, dog, horse, birds.

Teaching Fry Sight Words

Fry Sight Words are typically introduced gradually, with teachers focusing on small groups of words at a time. Students are expected to memorize these words by sight, as many of them do not follow common phonetic patterns and cannot be easily sounded out. Here are some effective strategies for teaching Fry Sight Words:

1. Flashcards

How It Works: Create flashcards with Fry Sight Words and use them in a quick drill format. Show the flashcards one by one, and have the student read each word aloud. Flashcards are an excellent way to practice word recognition and improve speed.

Example: A flashcard with the word was. The teacher shows the card, and the student says, “was.”

2. Word Walls

How It Works: Create a word wall in the classroom with Fry words that students have learned. Add new words as students master them. Word walls provide a visual cue that reinforces word recognition and encourages students to use sight words in their writing.
Example: A word wall with words like and, with, is, and there that students can refer to when reading or writing.

3. Sight Word Bingo

How It Works: Create bingo cards with Fry words in each square. Call out words, and students must find and mark the corresponding word on their bingo card. This turns learning into a fun, interactive game that reinforces sight word recognition.
Example: A bingo card with words like house, give, know, and stop. When the teacher says “give,” the student finds and marks that word.

4. Memory Match Game

How It Works: Create pairs of cards with Fry words written on them. Turn the cards face down, and have students flip them over, trying to find matching pairs. Each time they flip a card, they must say the word aloud. This game helps reinforce word recognition while making learning fun.

Example: A memory match game where students match pairs of the word play or come.

5. Writing Sentences

How It Works: After students learn a set of Fry words, encourage them to write sentences using those words. This practice helps them understand how to use sight words in context, reinforcing both reading and writing skills.
Example: After learning the words come, here, and play, students can write sentences like, “Come here and play with me.”

6. Sight Word Journals

How It Works: Have students keep a sight word journal where they write down Fry words they have learned. They can practice writing the words, using them in sentences, or drawing pictures to represent the meaning of the word. This helps with retention and application of sight words.
Example: A student might write the word jump and then draw a picture of someone jumping.

Fry Sight Words vs. Dolch Sight Words

Both Fry and Dolch Sight Words are widely used in literacy instruction, but there are some differences between the two lists:

1. Number of Words

Dolch Sight Words: The Dolch list contains 220 words (excluding nouns) and an additional 95 nouns. These words are commonly found in children’s literature.
Fry Sight Words: The Fry list contains 1,000 words, making it a more comprehensive list that extends beyond early childhood reading into more advanced levels.

2. Scope

Dolch Sight Words: The Dolch list is targeted primarily at children in preschool through third grade.

Fry Sight Words: The Fry list is broader and more inclusive, covering words that are essential for readers up through fifth grade and beyond. It is often used in both elementary and middle school education.

3. Content

Dolch Sight Words: The Dolch list includes many high-frequency words found in children’s literature, such as run, jump, play, and little.
Fry Sight Words: The Fry list includes a wider range of vocabulary, including words found in academic and informational texts, such as because, important, animal, and country.

While both lists are valuable in teaching reading, many educators use the Fry list for older students or more advanced readers because it offers a broader selection of words.

Conclusion

Fry Sight Words are an essential tool for developing reading fluency in students of all ages. By focusing on the most frequently used words in written English, the Fry list helps students quickly recognize words that they will encounter often, allowing them to read more fluently and focus on comprehension.

Teachers and parents can use a variety of strategies, including flashcards, word walls, and fun activities like bingo and matching games, to help students master Fry words. As students progress through the list, they will build a strong foundation for reading more complex texts and become more confident, fluent readers.

By incorporating Fry Sight Words into early literacy instruction, educators help students not only improve their reading skills but also foster a lifelong love for reading and learning.