1st Grade Spelling List: Effective & Practical Guide

While spelling is an important skill every kid should possess, learning to spell can be challenging for 1st graders. You can start by teaching them easy spelling words for 1st graders and have them practice.

Spelling Words for 1st Graders

An understanding of how to spell words will improve kids’ written and spoken communication skills.

The ideal beginning words for first-graders are essential consonant-vowel-consonant words. For instance, children can start by learning to spell DAD and MOM. They can then move to other words like SAT, CAT, BAT, and MAT. These first-grade spelling words are the basis for becoming a great speller.

Next, they can learn four-letter words whose first and second letters are consonants—for instance, TREE, FREE, and FROG. Spelling Words for 1st graders include: get, gown, eleven, eat, fast, and fill. Others are hen, orange, grape, bird, crown, crowd, draw, dew, bone, tea, etc.

Spelling Activities For First Graders

It is vital to build a strong spelling foundation for kids. While this can be pretty challenging, you can make it easier by introducing fun activities to keep them engaged and interested.

These activities will make them eager to learn and improve their vocabulary, communication, and writing skills. To introduce the process of learning to spell new words to kids, try these activities:

1. Make them write regularly.

There’s no way 1st graders will learn to spell a word if they don’t practice spelling. After teaching them, pronounce a word and ask them to write it down to assess how much they can remember.

They might not get the spelling at first, but they will master the spelling with constant practice and writing.

2. Ask them to read

Kids should be made to read consistently. They will catch a glimpse of words they have learned to spell and new words by reading. Listen to how they pronounce the words they read out and correct them if they are wrong.

Encourage them to read story books and come to you with words they find hard to pronounce. Put them through the pronunciation and note the words down. Next time, ask them to spell it; keep at it until they master these new words.

3. Teach them the rules of spelling

While some rules might be too hard for 1st graders to understand, some are easy and ideal. Focus on spelling rules for 1st graders and make them understand them.

Practices that focus on the relationship between letters and sounds should be taught to kids in school. This will help them learn how words are systematically spelled.

4. Organize spelling bees and games.

Spelling bees are great tools for improving spelling and vocabulary. Organize a spelling bee for kids and use first grade spelling words available online.

While the spelling words should be familiar to them, include a few challenging words. This way, they get to learn new words and add to their vocabulary.

5. Conduct a spelling test daily

Learning how to spell requires constant repetition and practice. Set a time for your kids to practice words they have learned. Make this a daily routine to help them discover new terms and get more familiar with the previous terms they know.

To Wrap Up

Finding the most effective way of teaching a first-grader is tough. What works for one kid may not work for the other. As a teacher, it would be best to experiment a little until you find a program that works for your students.

Remember that every child is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, the tips highlighted in this guide will help you teach spelling words to first-graders.