Word Detective Teacher Guide Word Detective Agency
Facilitation Guide • Grade 1 Literacy
Duration 50 MIN
Learning Objectives
Students will identify and highlight 46 specific high-frequency sight words within a narrative text to demonstrate recognition and reading fluency.
Materials Needed
"Second Sight Word Song" Video
Highlighters (Yellow or Neon)
"Case File" Story Worksheet
"Detective Toolkit" Word List
Hidden "FOUND" card
Presentation Slides
Key Concepts
Sight Words
Words that must be recognized instantly as they often don't follow standard phonetic rules.
Context Clues
Using surrounding words to determine which version of a homophone (e.g., right/write) is being used.
Mission Timeline
0:00 - 0:05
Warm-up: The Case of the Missing Word
Show the word "found" to the class. Hide a card with "found" on it somewhere in the room. Select a student 'detective' to locate it while the class cheers. Explain that today they are searching for words hidden in stories.
0:05 - 0:15
Viewing & Air Writing
Play the "Second Sight Word Song". Students must use their fingers to "Air Write" every word as it appears large on the screen. Use pause points for homophones: 1:02 (right) and 2:16 (write) .
0:15 - 0:40
Main Activity: Word Detectives
"Your mission: Search the 'Case File' story for the 46 words in your toolkit."
Students use highlighters to mark words from the reference list as they find them in the provided story. Encourage them to cross off words on their reference list as they find them.
0:40 - 0:45
Closing: Debrief
Students count their total highlighted words. Share results. Which words were the hardest to find? Which words appeared the most?
0:45 - 0:50
Extension: Word Wall
Add found words to the classroom Word Wall. Have students pick one word and use it in an original sentence about their "detective work".
Crucial Discussion Points
Homophone Alerts
Right vs. Write: Pause at 1:02 and 2:16. Ask: "How do we know which one to use? (Context/Meaning)."Buy vs. By: Pause at 2:38. Discuss "purchasing" vs. "location".Their vs. There: Pause at 1:11. Focus on the 'i' in their (belonging to people).
Context Clues
Read (3:13): Explain it can sound like 'reed' or 'red'. In "I can read a book," which is it? Why?Both (2:59): Why do we need "both" hands for some things? What does "both" mean? (Exactly two).
Common Misconceptions
Spelling Patterns: "Does" and "Goes" look like they should rhyme perfectly with "Shoes" or "Toes", but they have unique vowel sounds in this context. Point this out at 2:07 and 2:12.The 'its' Trap: 0:49 shows "its" (possessive). Remind students that "it's" (with apostrophe) means "it is". The bee's hive belongs to the bee! Word Detective Slides Mission Briefing
Word Detective
Agency
Case #102: The Hidden 46 Sight Words
Detective Goals
01
Identify the Target Words
Watch the training video and recognize 46 special sight words.
02
Scan the Evidence
Use your "Highlighter Scanner" to find the words hidden in the Case File story.
Warm-Up Training
One detective will be chosen to find the word
"Can you find where it is hidden in our room?"
Visual Training Course
AIR WRITING ENABLED
Embedded media
How to Air Write:
Point your "Magic Finger" up.
Watch the word zoom in.
Trace the letters in the air!
Shout the word when it flashes!
Main Mission
1
Open your Case File story.
2
Use your highlighter to mark words.
3
Check them off your Toolkit list.
Ready detectives? Begin scanning!
Mission Debrief
Words Found
?
Which word was the hardest to find?
Which word appeared most often?
Word Detective Case File Worksheet Top Secret
Case File: The Mystery Dog
Assignment: Find and highlight the hidden sight words.
Detective Name
Date
Once upon a time, a very fast dog made a wish. He always wanted to read many books. He found a green book around the work yard. It was cold before the sun came up.
"Would you tell us why?" asked the cat. "Because I want to be the first dog to read!" he said. "The bee is in its hive, and I should be in school."
"Goes to the right," call your friend. "Don't sit off the chair. Wash both hands before you write." The dog gave a sing and made his best work. He had been busy all day!
"Which one does he want to buy?" asked the cat. "Those five books!" The dog used his their (belonging) to help pull the door open. He these dogs were very happy!
Final Word Count
HOW MANY DID YOU FIND?
Use your Detective Toolkit to check every word you find. Some words appear more than once!
Word Detective Toolkit Reference Detective Toolkit
Reference List: 46 Target Sight Words
would
very
your
its
around
don't
right
green
their
call
sleep
five
wash
or
before
been
off
cold
tell
work
first
does
goes
write
always
made
gave
us
buy
those
use
fast
pull
both
sit
which
read
why
found
because
best
upon
these
sing
wish
many
Detective Flashcards (Cut along the dots)
FOUND
Warm-up Search Card
Word Wall Entry
Word Wall Entry
