When creating a workbook from scratch, users are able to choose between creating a phonetic workbook or a sight word workbook. If you choose to create a phonetic workbook, your word list will only include words where the sounds within them can be broken apart using common phonics rules (i.e. d-o-g, ch-e-ck, c-a-tch, etc.). To familiarize yourself with creating phonetic workbooks from scratch please see this article: https://whizzimo.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/17513014177683-Adding-a-workbook-from-scratch-or-from-the-database

If you choose to create a sight word workbook, your word lists can include BOTH phonetic and non-phonetic words. This is because some curricula may ask students to memorize phonetic words after they have learned to accurately decode them. For example, the word ‘and’ is phonetic, but it may be expected that a student treats ‘and’ as a sight word once he or she is familiar enough with it.

If you do choose to create a sight word workbook, the default design for sight words in activities is red letters with a clear background, but this can be changed in the Tile Settings on the ‘Tile Design’ tab. See pic below:

Sight word workbooks appear slightly differently than Phonetic workbooks. When 'Sight' has been selected as your workbook type, a red dot will appear in the upper right-hand corner of the workbook. See picture:

In addition, access to certain activities varies. Please see the explanation of these activity differences below:

​Blackboard: Users only have access to letters a-z with some punctuation marks in this activity.
​Workbook Tiles: This activity is grayed out because users need only letters a-z for words that are committed to memory (non-decodable).
​Mini Tileboard: This activity is also grayed out because users need only letters a-z for words that are committed to memory.
​Wordcards: The letters on wordcards are based on the ‘Tile Design’ settings to denote ‘sight’ word classification, but the activity itself stays the same.
​Timed Reading: The letters on Timed Reading are based on the ‘Tile Design’ settings, but the activity itself stays the same.
​Flashcards: The letters on Flashcards are based on the ‘Tile Design’ settings, and users are unable to switch between word division settings (i.e. no access to onset and rime, syllable types, etc.).
​Letter Cards: This activity is not available since the cards needed would only be red letters a-z.
​Spelling Activity: The activity itself stays the same, but the letters are based on the ‘Tile Design’ settings. Users have access to only letters a-z with some punctuation marks.
​Whiteboard: This activity stays the same as a phonetic workbook.
​Blank Tiles: This activity stays the same as a phonetic workbook.

The Sentence Parts, Sentences, Passages, and the PDF viewer can all be used like in a phonetic workbook, but the content will need to be added manually.

If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact the Whizzimo Tech Support group by sending in a ticket.

Happy teaching!