SIGHT WORDS READ AND CIRCLE

A quick, printable activity to practice recognizing common sight words. Students read each line and circle the target words.

Materials

• Pencil or crayon
• Printable worksheet or lined paper
• Optional: highlighter for emphasis

Target Word List (common sight words)

• the
• and
• to
• a
• I
• was
• in
• it
• you
• that
• is
• he
• for
• of
• on
• with
• as
• his
• at
• they

Activity 1: Circle the Sight Words in Each Row

Instructions:

• Read each line carefully.
• Circle every target word from the list above as you find it.
• Do not circle words that are not on the list.

Row 1

The cat sat on the mat and looked at the sun.

Row 2

It is a nice day to go for a walk with you and me.

Row 3

She knew that he would come, and she waited patiently in the park.

Row 4

In the box was a small toy that you might like to keep.

Row 5

They are happy with the results of the test they took today.

Activity 2: Highlight the Words in a Short Paragraph

Instructions:

• Read the paragraph aloud.
• Highlight or circle each word from the target list as you encounter it.

Paragraph:

The boy walked to the library and saw a sign that read “Read and Circle.” He knew it was a fun activity to practice reading, and he was glad to test his skills.

Activity 3: Create Your Own Sentences

Instructions:

• Write three sentences using at least two sight words from the list in each sentence.
• Underline the sight words you used.

Example:

• I want to go to the park and read a book.
• She is here and he will join us soon.
• The sun shone on the water while we waited.

Answer Key (for teachers or self-check)

• Rows 1–5: circle all occurrences of the listed sight words.
• Paragraph: highlight all instances of the listed sight words.
• Sentences: underline the sight words used in each sentence.

Variations for Differentiation

• Easier: use a shorter list (5–8 words) and shorter sentences.
• Harder: include contractions and multi-syllable words that still contain target sight words.
• Timed: give a 2-minute window to circle as many as possible.

Notes for Printing

• Use a clean, large font (e.g., 14–18 pt) for easy circle or highlight.
• Leave a margin on the right side of each row for students to circle without crossing into the next line.
• Provide answer sheets or teacher keys separately if printing for classroom use.