Learning Made Fun With This Engaging...

Combine learning and fun with this twist on a classic game.

Teaching sight words can often feel like a repetitive chore that doesn’t spark joy in your classroom. But, there is a simple solution! Sight word games make learning fun and engaging. Help students memorize sight words by playing a twist on an old classic: Tic-Tac-Toe. This sight word game is great to use as a literacy center or word work station. The best part? You can use it to help students recognize alphabet letters and sounds too! 

Grab your set below and then join the priority list for our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, so you can unlock access to all of our teaching tools in one time-saving spot.

The Set Up

The rules of this version of Tic-Tac-Toe are the same as the original.  Students take turns saving a square by writing in it.  The first student with three squares in a line (either across, down or diagonal) is the winner.

Print and cut apart the sight words that students are currently learning. This sight word list is organized by phonics skill to give you the biggest bang for your teaching buck!

After the words are printed and cut, you can choose to laminate them for extra durability (and to have them prepped and ready to use year after year!). Place the cut up words in a cup or bin. 

The Game

Once you have the words cut up, you’re ready to play the sight word game! Divide students into pairs. The first student shakes the cup to mix up the words and then reaches inside to pick a card. The student reads the card aloud and writes the word in a space on the Tic-Tac-Toe board. The second student then takes their turn. 

Students repeat this process until one student has three in a row of the same word on the game board. 

Bonus Tip

Are your students working on alphabet recognition or letter sounds instead of sight words?

You can play this Tic-Tac-Toe game with those skills as well!  

Grab Your Sight Word Game

Click the blue button below to grab your freebie and then request an invite to our VIP teaching membership, The Science of Reading Formula, so you can teach reading the easier, brain-friendly way.