Focusing on Memory Words

The Superkids Reading Program places a strong emphasis on helping children build the decoding habit—understanding that letters and sounds have a predictable relationship and that they can unlock words by moving from left to right, blending sounds with growing confidence.

Of course, not every English word plays by these rules. That’s why it’s also important for children to become automatic readers of high-frequency, phonetically irregular words—or Memory Words. Mastering these words supports fluency in both reading and writing.

In this issue, discover how Superkids introduces Memory Words and explore fun, creative ways to give students plenty of practice.

Memory Words and Superkids

Memory Words are words with irregular spellings or letter-sound patterns that children have not yet been taught in Superkids instruction. Many of these are high-frequency words found on the Dolch and Sitton lists. In Superkids, Memory Words are introduced during Word Work, then reinforced through Daily Routines or Daily Warm-Ups, ensuring children get consistent and meaningful practice.

In kindergarten, the number of irregular words taught is intentionally limited. Too much exposure to words that can’t be sounded out may undermine confidence and encourage habits like guessing or relying on only partial alphabetic cues. In the © 2017 edition of Superkids, there are 12 Memory Words in grade K with Memory Word instruction beginning in Unit 8. In the © 2026 edition, beginning in Unit 3, kindergartners learn 30 Memory Words. Students are capable of learning them earlier and more frequently due to a shift in the way they are taught (see note below). In both editions, Superkids helps kindergartners build a strong decoding habit by focusing on the predictable relationships between letters and sounds, while gradually adding essential Memory Words.

In first and second grade, Memory Words are introduced at a quicker but very intentional pace. Children practice reading and spelling them during Word Work and the Daily Routines/Daily Warm-Ups. They also encounter these words in the texts they read, giving them repeated exposure and the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in context. This balanced approach strengthens both automatic recognition of irregular words and the decoding habit that is the foundation of skilled reading.

Note: In the © 2026 edition of Superkids, students are taught to encode Memory Words using letter-sound mapping. For example, they may use Elkonin boxes when asked to encode the part(s) of the Memory Word that are regular and circle the parts that are irregular or not yet taught. This instructional strategy supports the habit of decoding unknown words first and then defaulting to the memorized part to decode the entire word. Research (Ehri, 2014) has shown that this explicit practice strengthens students’ sight vocabulary, or words they know by sight.

Ehri, L. C. (2014). Orthographic mapping in the acquisition of sight word reading, spelling memory, and vocabulary learning. Scientific Studies of Reading, 18(1), 5–21.

Providing Teacher-Led Practice

Some kids need a little more time with Memory Words—seeing them, spelling them, and reading them. Here are a few fun activities to use with the whole class or in small groups to help those tricky words stick. For each activity, use words from the current unit or revisit words you’ve already taught that may need additional practice.

⭐️ Table Tasks

These four table-friendly activities give children multiple ways to interact with Memory Words—building accuracy, fluency, and confidence. Start by having students create a set of word cards with the words you want to reinforce. For each activity, students place their cards on the table in front of them.

⭐️ Pass the Flashlight

Arrange up to 12 Memory Word Cards in rows. Say a word, then hand a flashlight to a child. The child shines the light on the word, reads it aloud, and then calls out a new word. The next child takes the flashlight, finds that word, and reads it aloud. Continue until all the words have been read.

⭐️ Silly Voices

Make practice fun by changing how the words are read! Using a list of words written on the board, students can whisper the words and get louder with each one or read them in character—robot, squeaky mouse, or booming monster.

⭐️ Memory Word Riddles

Write a list of Memory Words on the board or on chart paper. Choose a word and give clues about its letters or sounds. For example: “This word has three letters. It starts with /p/ and rhymes with foot.” Call on a student to find the word using a fun pointer. Continue giving clues or let students take turns being the riddle-maker.

⭐ Spelling Chain

Say a Memory Word and use it in a sentence. On a Write-On/Wipe-Off Board, have students take turns writing one letter at a time to spell the word. If a student thinks a previous letter is incorrect, they can change it before adding the next letter. Once the word is complete, confirm the spelling together.

⭐️ Sing a Little Song

Put Memory Words to music! Try singing them to familiar tunes like Happy Birthday or Jingle Bells. One first-grade class even sings them to the Batman theme song:
“He, her, his, what—BATMAN!
When, where, I, my—BATMAN!
She, which, who, why—BATMAN!”

⭐️ A Gem of an Idea

There are many classroom uses for those glass gems typically used in vases. These shiny little finds from craft or dollar stores make perfect “magnifiers.” When reading in groups, students can place a gem over Memory Words they spot in Superkids text. It’s like highlighting, but way more fun!

Cool Tool for Independent Practice!

When setting up activities for independent practice—whether with Memory Words or other skill reinforcement—students need to know exactly how they should complete the task. Should they work alone? With a partner? As part of a group?

To keep things crystal clear, add these labels to your independent activity stations. A set is available for both editions of Superkids! Print and post the label that shows whether the activity is meant to be completed on their own, with a friend, or in a group.