1st Grade Spelling Words
First grade adds long vowels, consonant blends and the first genuinely tricky sight words — because, again, always, could.
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Tip: keep this page open on a phone and pass it around.
1st Grade Spelling Words — full list (48 words)
- because
- before
- around
- again
- always
- been
- both
- bring
- carry
- clean
- could
- done
- draw
- drink
- eight
- fall
- far
- full
- grow
- hold
- hurt
- keep
- kind
- laugh
- light
- long
- much
- myself
- never
- only
- own
- pick
- seven
- small
- start
- today
- together
- try
- warm
- write
- yellow
- your
- zoo
- about
- after
- any
- as
- ask
Get the 1st grade word pack
Printable 1st grade spelling words with the sight words grouped separately.
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How to play
- Run 8-10 words a week, grouped by pattern rather than by theme.
- Separate sight words (could, because) from decodable words. Sight words need repetition; decodable words need sounding out.
- Dictate a short sentence containing two of the week words — it tests spelling and comprehension at once.
- Retest missed words after three days rather than the next day; the gap makes the recall stronger.
FAQ
How many spelling words should a 1st grader have?
8-10 words per week is typical for first grade, usually a mix of decodable words and sight words.
Why are sight words harder to spell?
They often break the phonics rules a child has just learned (could, because, again), so they have to be memorised rather than sounded out.
How do I help a child who hates spelling practice?
Keep it to five minutes, use a whiteboard or sand tray instead of paper, and let them be the teacher and test you.