Lesson 24: High-Frequency Word “to”

Help Your Child Learn to Read the High-Frequency Word “To”!

What Will We Learn Today?

Today we’re learning the word “to”—a high-frequency word that appears often in everyday speech and stories. In this lesson, your child will learn how to read the word “to”, use it in phrases and sentences, and understand how it connects actions to places or people.

How to Read the Word “To”

The word “to” has two sounds:
/t/ – like in top
/uː/ – a long vowel sound, like in blue

Blend the sounds together: /t/ + /uː/ = to

This is a high-frequency word that may not always follow typical phonics rules—so we help children read it by sight and through repetition.

What Does “To” Mean?

We use “to” to show:

• Direction: “go to bed”

• Purpose: “give it to Mom”

• Communication: “talk to Dad”

“To” often connects a verb (action) with a person, place, or thing.

Let’s Practice Reading Phrases

Help your child point and read each phrase:

• to the cat

• to the bed

• to the man

• to the kid

• to the dog

• to the sun

Encourage rereading to build fluency.

Let’s Practice Reading Sentences

• I skip to the mat.

• The pup and I get to the big pit.

• Tim and Tom get to the cab.

• Hand the map to Mom.

Ask your child to spot the word “to” in each sentence and read it smoothly.

Let’s Practice Reading Connected Sentences

I skip to the pit.
Ken and Kit skip to the pit.
Ken, Kit, and I dig in the pit.
I got a bug!
Ken got a pen.
Kit got a cap.
“It is fun to dig,” I said to Ken and Kit.

Ask:

• Where did the kids go?

• What did each child get?

• Who did the speaker talk to?

Color, Trace, and Write

Use worksheets where your child can:

• Read the word “to”

• Trace the word

• Write it on their own

• Color pictures that match sample sentences (e.g., a dog running to the kid)

[Download the “To” Practice Worksheet Here]

Flashcards – High-Frequency Word Focus

Use flashcards with the word “to” in context. Add visuals to support meaning.

Examples:

• go to bed (picture of a child going to bed)

• to the park (picture of a swing or slide)

• to the dog (picture of a child handing food to a dog)

Games to try:

• Find the word

• Build the word with letter cards

• Use the word in a sentence

[Download “To” Flashcards – Sight Word Set Here]

Conclusion

The word “to” helps young readers connect actions to places and people. With repetition, meaningful phrases, and hands-on practice, your child will begin using “to” naturally in their reading and writing.

Ask your child:
“Can you use the word ‘to’ in your own sentence?”