First Grade Spelling Worksheets

Related ELA Standard: L.1.2

Core Standard
Answer Keys Here

This is the first time that we begin to ask students to in addition to learning sight words (memorized pre-word lists); they must also begin to sound out words using their root phonics skills. Coming into first grade, teachers expect students to have roughly twenty sight words committed to memory. By the time that they complete first grade we expect them to have another eighty sight words. Over the course of a year students will learn two-hundred more words that build off of their knowledge of sounds and blends. The worksheets provide a good base to any spelling program for the first grade level.

Grade 1 Spelling Worksheets To Print:

Choose the Correct Spelling - Read the two words under each picture. Circle the correct word, and then write it two times. We work on words such as: watermelons, firetrucks, trunks, and blocks of land.

-ck Words - How many words can you make that end with -ck? Fill in the blank with as many consonants as you can think of that create a word that ends in -ck. You may use single consonants, or blends. You have time to think through this one.

Basic Spelling Practice - See if you can get a vision of how this little girl looks. Then take some time to practice each of the words.

Spelling Quiz - Which of the words are spelled correctly? Circle the word from each pair that is spelled correctly. Then write the correct word on the line.

What Doesn't Belong? - Which of the three pictures doesn't match the letters? Circle that, we are working in rows left to right.

Fill in the Blank Spelling - You are just one letter away. In most cases it is a very vowel intensive situation.

Double O - Write each word on the line. Do not under estimate the importance of re-writing something.

Circle the Correct Spelling - Circle the word that is spelled correctly. Then write it two times. Sound all of them out.

Silent E Words - Fill in the last part of each of the words below. We start the spelling word off for you.

Spelling Practice - Read the two words under each picture. Circle the correct word, and then write the word.

Choose the Correct Spelling - Select the word that is spelled correctly. Write it on the line. Note that more then one word can be correct in each exercise.

Word Search - Get that pile going. This is a nice introduction to word find exercises.

Can You Find It? - Just look through the seams to try to feel your way through it.

Spelling with Word Shapes - Circle each of the following words in the puzzle below. This is a great method to help students see patterns in words.

Word Shape - Use the shape template to work it through. Not how the letters are positioned to make it work for you.

How to Approach First Graders with Spelling Skills


Spelling words correctly is a critical skill. The reader or editor instantly makes a judgment call on the writer's intelligence level based on their ability to spell. In the First grade students are learning to spell words for the first time. The approach to teaching this skill varies based on the root reading program they have their curriculum focused around.


There are some tendencies that good spellers share. They are often strong readers and have a passion for learning. They can often communicate verbally better than most. To foster this, we suggest parents and teachers give students plenty of opportunities to speak and be heard. When writing let students write about things that they like. You also have to be willing to let students fail. Do not stop them when spelling words, even if it is completely wrong. We have to fail to learn to succeed.


Some activities that students enjoy are often set aside as far as their ability to be educational and help us understand the root of words and language in general. Coloring items and pictures is very helpful for understanding patterns and focusing learners on the rights and wrongs of a system. Tracing words is often frowned upon, but it has a way to help students learn by a rote method. Encourage students to finger paint letters and words. It is so helpful; I can't even bring it to words. Decoding message puzzles is a huge educational activity that is often seen as busy work. Many things that we take for granted have a solid purpose, when you fully examine them. I'm not saying over focus on any of them, but include them in a child's weekly routine.


Every well-designed spelling program shares many similar qualities. It all begins with consistency and a systematic approach to learning a new term. In the beginning we encourage teachers to get familiar with their class level of language knowledge. Once you have a good understanding of that, you can understand what vocabulary terms to begin with. You may have years where students are way ahead or behind.


All of the successful programs I have used over the years begin with a word list. I find that twelve to fifteen words per week are a good pace for students at this level. Once you provide them the list of terms, have them alphabetize the list. This seems like busy work, but it is immensely helpful for them. Simply re-writing the words makes them more familiar with them. I encourage students to draw pictures that relate to the terms. On day two I provide students with a few letter fill activities for these terms. On day three we complete word find and puzzle-based activities. On the fourth day we start working on sentence writing with these terms. By the end of the week, they should be ready to spell these words at will for you and use them in their own writing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



-ck Words Preview