The purpose for this study was to determine how sight word automaticity can increase reading achievement. It is essential for kindergarteners to be able to recognize and say all kindergarten sight words as they are the building blocks for literacy and reading for many years to come.

• Our grade level goal for our school was to have 80% of students know all 47 sight words by the end of the year.

• First grade students who have not mastered kindergarten sight words will spend time relearning material for mastery.

• If students are able to recognize and say all kindergarten sight words, it is expected that their reading fluency and reading level will increase.

• In October 2016, 55% of my students knew less than 85% of sight words introduced.

• Students were easily confusing sight words during word work activities which impaired their reading fluency.

• Students who were struggling to identify sight words could not enhance their reading levels because they had not mastered basic and fundamental words necessary for reading.

• Teaching sight words was difficult due to the lack of time in our day dedicated for practice.

• Students were often not excited or engaged when learning new sight words .

• When working in our weekly decodable reader books that include newly introduced sight words, students would often complain about the task.

• Due to a lack of participation and engagement, sight word retainment was a high concern.