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First Grade Spelling Words

Here's a basic list of 100 first grade spelling words to use throughout the year. This list contains only short vowel sounds, with some consonant blends. We've arranged the words in word families.

Students also need to study words with long vowel sounds as well as words for colors, numbers, nouns and verbs.

Printable list of First Grade Spelling Words

at	bat	cat	sat	that
an	can	ran	man	plan
ad	dad	had	sad	bad
ag	bag	rag	tag	brag
ap	cap	map	tap	slap
and	land	sand	band	hand
ed	bed	red	fed	sled
en	hen	men	pen	when
et	pet	jet	get	let
ell	bell	tell	yell	smell
est	best	nest	rest	test
id	did	hid	lid	kid
ig	big	dig	pig	wig
ill	bill	fill	hill	spill
in	pin	win	thin	spin
ip	dip	lip	zip	tip
it	bit	fit	hit	sit
ob	job	mob	rob	sob
og	hog	fog	log	frog
op	pop	hop	top	stop
ot	hot	lot	not	spot
ub	cub	rub	tub	club
ug	bug	dug	hug	rug
un	fun	bun	run	sun
ut	but	cut	nut	rut

Tips for Teaching First Grade Spelling Words

smiling first grade girl sitting at her desk

Remember to present only a few spelling words at a time at this level, no more than 5-10 words a week. Provide lots of practice in many different formats with new spelling words.

Give students words that are meaningful to them, words that they already use.

More First Grade Resources

Elementary spelling games - Color Land game board

Color Land Game - Kids practice spelling color words as they try to reach the finish line.

Roll It! - Easy-to-make spelling word games. Roll the consonants around the tube to spell new words. It's the perfect format for teaching some of the words above in word families. Great at home or at school.

Hands Up and Hop to It!- These simple, fun games will get your kids' attention, and keep it.

See our complete collections of Sight Word Games and Spelling Word Games!

1st Grade Writing Prompts

Put all these spelling words to use! Try a few of these fun writing prompts with your first graders throughout the year.

Set #1 - What would you like to ask a frog? What if one of your toys came to life? What would you say to someone who is sad to make them feel better? A total of 12 age-appropriate 1st grade writing prompts.

Set #2 - What would the cow see if he jumped over the moon? Where will the treasure map lead you? What part of the day do you like best? Find nine more similar writing prompts for kids.

First Grade Vocabulary Words 1st graders will enjoy this great list of 175 words! Find them first in alphabetical order, then secondly, see 100 of the words in 9 popular categories including sports, people, animals, the outdoors, compound words and more! Use these words to build vocabulary skills in ESL students and every other student, too! What about desert with a dragon, or lunch with a llama? These are words that first graders should learn to use orally and understand their meanings in conversation. Spelling success may come a bit later (or sooner, depending on the student!)

first grade boy in yellow striped shirt, looking up for help on his worksheet

A Fun Day: 1st grade reading and spelling worksheet - Give your students reading, writing and spelling practice with this individualized story. Your child choose words in certain categories, then inserts them in the story. He can write a new story again and again!

Word family 1st grade worksheets - Worksheet and booklet templates so your 1st graders can practice spelling any word family anytime! Complete instruction included when you follow the link.

We have lots more First Grade Worksheets to help your early learners practice their spelling words.

Try some of our Phonics Activities, too!

magnetic letters that spell "I Love You Dad"

5 Fun, Simple First Grade Learning Activities - Most work especially well for families to do at home. You'll be laughing and learning together. Did we mention that these are FUN?

Find more 1st Grade Spelling Word Lists and Activities here. We have a BUNCH!

FAQs

Q: What are some good first grade spelling words, and what are some simple methods for teaching them?

A: To start, teach simple short-vowel words in word families. Examples include: at, bat, cat, hat, that, sat, chat; best, rest, test, nest; dot, hot, lot, spot; mug, bug, rug, slug, and so on. Then you can move on to long-vowel words. Teach those in families as well. Examples include: bake, rake, take; line, mine, nine, spine; coat, goat, boat, and many more.

Students should also begin to learn color and number words.

Q: What activities help first-graders to remember their spelling words?

A: Parents and teachers can invent fun little rhymes and songs to repeat with children. Better yet, ask the kiddos to make up their own! Simple spelling word games are also good for reinforcement. Brief periods of oral and written practice are also key.

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