Essential Spelling Words for 1st Graders

The development of your child is not just about their pragmatic knowledge. Schools around the world place a great emphasis on linguistic recognition, particularly with grammar. A large part of the first-grade curricula around the world is heavily based on spelling. They are being introduced to new phonics concepts that help them decode various words with different sounds that follow several regular spelling patterns, such as CVC and CVCe words. While different curricula have different lists of phonics words, the general phonics concept of spelling words for first graders is basically the same. Here is how you can make your first grader a spelling pro.

What Are the Basic Spellings Taught to a Child in Grade 1?

When learning to spell in grade 1, your child will be eased into words that are age-appropriate. This means there won’t be many silent letters in the initial stages of your child’s academic year. The words will be a combination of consonant-vowel-consonant. He will expand his vocabulary by learning word families. For example, after learning a word like ‘dad’, he will learn rhyming words like ‘bad’, ‘sad’, ‘mad’, ‘had’, ‘fad’, etc. This guide will help prepare your child to become a word-whiz.

List of Spelling Words for 1st Graders

There are a few words that you can help your child learn, which will help him prepare for games and contests. Here are a few words you can begin with.

Introduce these words slowly to your child and make sure to pace it to his comfort. Use this opportunity to bond with your child, and do not add any pressure when he is learning.

First Grade CVC Spelling Words

CVC pattern words follow the format of consonant-vowel-consonant, like “cap” or “bed.” It is important to learn that the vowels in the CVC words use their short sounds. Kids begin learning CVC words in kindergarten and continue to refine their knowledge in first grade. Here are some examples: 

Consonant Blends Spelling Words for First Graders

In a consonant blend, the two letters are articulated together in a fluid sound, with the first letter merging into the second, such as /tr/ in “trap.” (This differs from consonant digraphs, where two letters produce a single sound, like “ck.”) Spelling lists for first graders frequently feature these types of words, particularly those that fit the consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant pattern (“skip”) and the consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant structure (“fish”). They may also include words that have blends at both the beginning and the end, such as “frost” or “plant.”

1st Grade CVCe Spelling Words

These are examples of silent-e words, which follow the consonant-vowel-consonant-e pattern. Think of words like “gave,” “kite,” or “hole.” In these instances, the vowel in the middle is pronounced with its long sound, leading us to explain to children that “silent-e causes vowels to say their name.”

How Can Parents Help Their Children Ace at Spelling

Teaching your children can be challenging, especially if you do not use the right techniques. Here is how to teach spelling to first graders in the most effective manner.

• Using flashcards with words on them is a good way to help your child recollect all that he has learnt. You can make it more fun for your child if you involve him in making the flashcards.
• Teach the words by first using them in sentences. Make interesting sentences so that your child will be able to recall words. You can also have the sentences relate to them. For example, ‘My favourite colour is RED’.
• Writing is one of the best ways to remember the spelling of a word. As your child’s hand moves over the letters repeatedly, the words will get deeper into his memory and will help him recall the spelling quickly.
• Make learning the spellings of words a part of his daily routine. As you go through your day, point out objects that your child has learnt and ask him to spell the same. Make this a game where you participate, too.
• Learning spellings can be a great use of your child’s time with technology. There are many apps that will help your child learn spellings, and you can use these effectively. There are numerous YouTube videos that help teach new words in a fun and effective manner.
• Teaching your child how to spell is an important milestone in his education and development. However, there are certain things that you must keep in mind when teaching children.
• Do not put undue pressure on your child. As a first grader, your child becomes a part of the schooling system and might find the whole experience overwhelming. Adding the pressure of having to learn the spellings of every word perfectly might prove to be too much for him.
• Do not compare your child to others. Comparing children to others is one of the worst things you can do to their self-esteem, and you must expect your child to progress only according to his capabilities.
• Ask your child if he likes to participate in games and contests. He should not feel like he is being forced into situations he does not enjoy, as he might lose his interest in learning.
• Choose words which are age-specific and do not get carried away by introducing hard words to test his capabilities. If he struggles with complex words, stop and take a break. Then go back to the simple words. If your child gets frustrated, he will lose motivation.
• There is no one defined path to learning. Children use different ways to learn. This can range from aural to tactile, and you must experiment with different techniques to make the activity fun for him.
• Teaching your child to spell should be a fun and rewarding experience for both you and your child. Use this opportunity to bond with your child rather than making it about participating in and winning contests. Sign him up for games only if he says that he is interested and respects his decision.

Spelling Word Activities for 1st Graders

Here are some amazing ways on how to teach spelling words to first graders. Trust us; they are fun and ensure child-parent bonding.

1. Build With Blocks

If you have alphabet blocks or magnetic letters, use them to build spelling words. Kids can arrange the letters on the fridge or stack blocks to spell. It’s a hands-on activity that helps connect letters with movement.

2. Rainbow Writing

Give your child some crayons or markers and have them write each spelling word several times, using a different colour each time. The mix of colours makes practice fun and helps the words stick in their memory.

3. Spelling Relay

For some outdoor fun, write letters of the alphabet on slips of paper and place them at one end of the yard. Call out a spelling word, and your child must run, find the right letters, and bring them back in order to spell the word.

4. Memory Match Game

Write each spelling word twice on index cards. Shuffle them and place the cards face down. Players take turns flipping over two cards, reading them aloud, and checking for a match. If they match, the player keeps them and goes again. If not, it’s the next person’s turn. At the end, kids can quiz each other using the words they collected.

5. Bead Spelling Bracelets

Using pipe cleaners and alphabet beads, call out spelling words and have kids thread the correct letters in order. If your child struggles with a particular word, turn that beaded pipe cleaner into a bracelet they can wear and glance at throughout the day for practice.

6. Flashlight Spelling Hunt

Write spelling words on pieces of paper and tape them around the room. Turn off the lights and give your child a flashlight. Call out a word and have them find and “spotlight” the correct one. It turns practice into an exciting little adventure.

FAQs

1. What are some popular first-grade spelling bee words?

The Scripps National Spelling Bee list of words for first grades includes some popular words, including baby, bank, barn, gate, fresh, frog, glow, love, paste, drive, foot, eat, stone, wink, stack, plane, rose, show, lower, and change (1).

2. Why should parents use spelling games and worksheets with kids?

• Children learn best from frequent repetition. It’s well-established that most kids require several encounters with key information before they can remember it and repeat it accurately. Therefore, avoid having all that repetition come from writing the same words repeatedly or spelling them out loud over and over.
• Kids are most receptive to enjoyable and engaging formats. Use fun worksheets and a variety of games. Provide positive feedback and encourage children to remain engaged with the material, even if their work isn’t flawless.

3. What is the typical way of introducing words to children?

You may try this progression of introducing words to children:

• Review short vowels and consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words
• Compound words
• FLSZ
• CK/K
• Initial consonant blends
• Final consonant blends
• Magic “e”
• Long vowels

Helping your 1st grader with spelling words is not an impossible task. All you need is knowing how to introduce children to words and spellings, a list of words, and games and activities to inculcate the learning in such a way. We have helped you with the next best list of words, so teaching children words won’t be a fuss.

Happy Parenting!

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Sources References

1. National Spelling Bee – Scripps National Spelling Bee Study Words for First Graders 2017-2018