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Oh No Sight Word Game

This simple sight word game, called Oh No, is such a fun, easy way to practice sight words. It can be used in the classroom or at home.

One of my favorite ways to use the game in school is as a center activity. Children can easily play this game independently in small groups or in pairs.

Materials to Play Oh No

  • Oh No Cards
  • Sight word cards
  • Small gift bag or paper bag

Oh No! Game Directions

  1. Place all of the sight word and “Oh No!” cards into the small gift bag.
  2. Shake to mix.
  3. Children sit in a small circle or at a table.
  4. Children take turns pulling a word out of the bag.
  5. If they can read the sight word, they keep the card. If they can’t read the word, the put the card back in the bag and it’s the next child’s turn.
  6. If a child gets an “Oh No!” card, they have to put all of their cards back in the bag.
  7. Children play until there are no sight word cards left or time is up.
  8. The child with the most cards at the end wins.

Oh No! Game Tips

  • Laminate these cards so that they last.
  • If you have parent volunteers, this is another great game they can prepare for you. Send the parent the template (e-mail or flash drive) and your sight word list. Let them type the words into the template. Then have another parent volunteer cut them out and separate them.
  • I separate my sight words into sandwich bags by monthly theme. This way I can easily update the game throughout the year by switching out the sight word cards.
  • Watch for wandering eyes; students often try to peek into the bag to avoid or purposely get the Oh no! Cards 

Free Oh No! Game Files

 Pre-primer Oh No! (preschool/kindergarten)

Primer Oh No! (kindergarten)

First Grade Oh No!

Second Grade Oh No!

Third Grade Oh No!

Blank Oh No! (make your own!)

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