Focus Words previously referred to as Common Words or HFW are words that appear in written language most frequently - Dolce & Frys are common lists and you may hear these names in school. These Focus Words include words that can be decoded (sounded through using phonics and focusing on the tricky part of the word).

WARNING! It is a hard task for any child to learn all the Focus Words- plus it serves no real purpose  since most can be sounded out when reading or spelling. Relying on memory is a poor strategy for reading and spelling - the learners first strategy should be to sound through a word.

For learners with dyslexia this is important - they are likely to rely on phonics ( sounding out) and may struggle with their sight memory for words - so focus what they do have.  Avoid wasting time on the words they can sound through.

FOCUS on the word using their phonics knowledge. You will find a list below.

LIST OF FOCUS WORDS

This link  takes you to a list of the 30 most common focus words.

http://www.gdss.glasgow.sch.uk/Websites/SchSenRosepark/UserFiles/file/GDSS/Focus%20Words-%2030%20most%20frequently%20occurring.pdf

MOVIE OF TYPING PRACTISE FOR SIGHT WORDS

This clip gives ideas for practising recall of letter sequence for focus words - while getting keyboard practice. 

Take a look at our clip for using spell checkers