In first grade, kids are becoming more confident readers. They’re learning new phonics concepts that help them decode (sound out and understand) words that follow several regular spelling patterns, such as CVC words and CVCe words.

Different curriculum programs use different spelling lists for first grade, but the general phonics concepts they cover tend to be the same. These lists of first grade spelling words include strong examples in each category to help kids master important spelling rules. Be sure to grab our free printable lists that include these first grade spelling words!

 CVC First Grade Spelling Words

These are words that follow the pattern consonant-vowel-consonant, like “cat” or “big.” In CVC words, vowels use their short sounds. Kids start learning CVC words in kindergarten and continue to master them in first grade.

Consonant Blends First Grade Spelling Words

In a consonant blend, both letters are pronounced in one smooth sound but the first blends into the second, like /tr/ in the word “trap.” (This is different from consonant digraphs in which two letters make one sound, such as “ck.”) First grade spelling lists often include these words, especially those that follow the pattern consonant-consonant-vowel-consonant (“skip”) and consonant-vowel-consonant-consonant (“fish”). They can also include words with blends at the beginning and end, like “frost” or “plant.”

Spelling Words with Consonant Blends

Beginning Blends

Ending Blends

Beginning & Ending Blends

CVCe First Grade Spelling Words

These are the silent-e words, following the pattern consonant-vowel-consonant-e. Think words like “gave,” “kite,” or “hole.” In these words, the middle vowel uses its long sound, so we often teach children that “silent-e makes vowels say their name.”

First Grade High-Frequency Words

High-frequency words are the common words in written English, such as “the” and “have.” Learning these first grade spelling words can help kids learn to read more quickly and with less frustration.

By practicing spelling words that fit these first grade phonics concepts, kids build up their fluency in both reading and writing. They become more secure in their skills as they learn to decode words in print, and translate spoken words to written words. They also learn to enjoy the time they spend reading and writing.

First Grade Spelling Words Activities

First grade spelling practice doesn’t have to be boring! Try these spelling activities for first graders to make the experience engaging and fun.

1. Play Memory Match
   Write each spelling word on two index cards, then mix up the set and lay them all out face down. Take turns turning over two cards at a time, then reading them out loud to see if they match. If they do, the player keeps the cards and takes another turn. Otherwise, play passes to the next player. At the end, each player can quiz the others using the spelling word cards they’ve collected.
   
   
2. String Letter Beads
   Grab some pipe cleaners, letter beads, and your first grade spelling words lists. Then read out spelling words and have kids string the correct letters onto pipe cleaners. Tip: Is there a spelling word your child is having trouble mastering? Turn its pipe cleaner into a bracelet they can wear and use to refresh their memory all day long!
   
   
3. Whack the Letters
   Write the alphabet on sticky notes, and put the notes on the wall above your child’s head. Call out a word from the first grade spelling words lists. Have your child jump up and whack each letter as they spell it out. Alternately, place the sticky note letters on the table or floor, and arm your student with a flyswatter to swat each letter in turn.
   
   
4. Educational Spelling Games
   Spelling games like the ones you can find on the ABCmouse App are an excellent activity for first graders learning spelling words. These games tailored to engage young minds offer a balance of challenge and support to help them master new words.
   
   
   The interactive nature of the games makes learning more enjoyable and memorable, encouraging repeated play and thus reinforcing the spelling concepts. ABCmouse games often include visual and auditory elements, which cater to different learning styles, helping children to better retain the spelling of words.

Popular First Grade Spelling Bee Words

These challenging first grade spelling words come from the Scripps National Spelling Bee list of first grade words. See more spelling bee words for first grade here.