High-frequency words
Last updated
High-frequency words are the words that appear most often in text, such as the, of, and, was and said.
Topic: Reading and writing instruction
In plain terms
A small set of words makes up a large share of what students read. Many are regular and can be decoded; others have irregular parts, like the "ai" in said. They are often called sight words, though "sight word" can also mean any word a reader knows instantly. Teaching works best when it links sounds and letters, not only visual memory.
How it shows up in an IEP
Goals target automatic reading of a defined list: "will read 50 high-frequency words within 3 seconds each with 95% accuracy." The list and timing should be stated so probes are consistent.
Example
A first grader reads 22 of 50 first-grade words automatically. After daily practice that maps sounds to letters, the student reads 41 within eight weeks.
Related terms
- Orthographic mappingOrthographic mapping is the mental process of connecting a word's sounds to its letters so the word is stored in memory and read instantly.
- Oral reading fluencyOral reading fluency is reading text aloud accurately, at a good rate, and with appropriate expression.
- DecodingDecoding is using knowledge of letter-sound patterns to read a printed word by turning letters into sounds and blending them.
- PhonicsPhonics is instruction that teaches how letters and letter patterns represent the sounds of spoken language, so students can decode and spell words.
On IEP Atlas
This page describes special education terms and federal rules in general terms and is not legal advice. Our editorial policy explains how IEP Atlas writes and reviews content. Browse all 244 terms.