The Dolch Word List was created in the early 1900’s and is made up of the first 220 basic sight words. Between 50-75% of all words used in school books, library books, newspapers, and magazines are in the Dolch Basic Sight Vocabulary of 220 words. (K12 Reader)
The Fry Word List was created as an updated list based on the changes in language and is made up of 1000 of the most commonly used words in the English language. It is ordered by frequency so all of the Dolch words are embedded in this list. These words make up about 90% of all written language. ( K12 Reader)
Sight Words
According to information found on the reading-tutors.com website, “there are only 13 different words that make up 25% of the words we read, and there are 100 words that make up 50% of the words we read. These words are called Sight words. High frequency words (be they Dolch or Fry) are “service words” (pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs) which cannot be learned through the use of pictures. Because they are used to hold thoughts together, these words must be recognized at a glance before a child can read with confidence. (K12 Reader)
According to information found on the reading-tutors.com website, “there are only 13 different words that make up 25% of the words we read, and there are 100 words that make up 50% of the words we read. These words are called sight words.” High frequency words (be they Dolch or Fry) are “service words” (pronouns, adjectives, adverbs, prepositions, conjunctions, and verbs) which cannot be learned through the use of pictures. Because they are used to hold thoughts together, these words must be recognized at a glance before a child can read with confidence. ( K12 Reader)
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