1st Grade Spelling Words: A Complete Guide for Parents & Teachers
Key Takeaways
📚 A list of essential 1st-grade spelling words to build early literacy skills.
📝 Fun and engaging spelling worksheets to reinforce learning.
🎮 Interactive spelling games to make practice enjoyable.
🔤 Phonics techniques that help first graders spell correctly.
📊 Spelling assessments to track progress and improvement.
Understanding 1st Grade Spelling Words
What Makes a Word a 1st-Grade Spelling Word?
At the 1st-grade level, spelling words are simple, commonly used, and follow basic phonics rules. These words are designed to:
Build early reading and writing skills.
Reinforce letter-sound recognition.
Encourage word recognition without guessing.
Most 1st-grade spelling words are short, have predictable patterns, and are frequently used in everyday conversation and writing.
📌 See the full list here: 1st Grade Spelling Words
1st Grade Spelling Word List (With Examples)
Sight words
These are words kids should memorize, not sound out
the | and | is |
you | are | that |
of | to | in |
it | for | on |
with | as | his |
they | I | at |
be | this | have |
from | or | one |
had | by | word |
but | not | what |
CVC words
These are easy to read words
cat | dog | sun |
big | red | hop |
run | sit | fun |
win | hat | pen |
top | log | bat |
tip | mad | mop |
bed | jet | net |
lip | rug | bus |
cup | fig | van |
jam | wet | box |
Simple Blends & Digraphs
These are common letter combinations words
ship | chin | frog |
clap | dress | swim |
snack | grip | flip |
brush | crash | slip |
block | track | black |
bring | drum | twist |
fresh | glad | smell |
smart | spend | stuck |
thick | whale | splash |
throne | phase | graph |
🎯 Need printable worksheets? Get them here: 1st Grade Spelling Worksheets
Phonics and Spelling Rules for 1st Graders
Short & Long Vowel Sounds: Short vowels: cat, dog, cup. Long vowels: cake, bike, cute.
Blends & Digraphs: Blends: bl, cr, st, tr (e.g., blend, stop). Digraphs: sh, ch, th (e.g., ship, chin).
Silent Letters: Common examples: know, write, gnat.
Spelling Bee Words for 1st Graders
Beginner-Friendly Spelling Bee Words
cat | dog | sun |
big | red | hop |
run | sit | fun |
win | hat | pen |
top | log | bat |
tip | mad | mop |
bed | jet | net |
lip | rug | bus |
cup | fig | van |
jam | wet | box |
Tips to Make Spelling Bees Fun
Let kids spell out loud and use hand motions.
Reward progress with stickers or fun prizes.
Use spelling apps to keep practice engaging.
Spelling Tests and Assessments
Spelling Dictation – Read words aloud, and kids write them.
Fill-in-the-Blank – Give sentences with missing words.
Word Sorting – Have kids group words by sound or pattern.
| Test Type | Best For |
|---|---|
Online Spelling Tests | Instant feedback & interactive learning |
Printable Spelling Tests | Writing practice & at-home assessments |
Frequently Asked Questions
The fun way to learn how to spell!
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