This 1st grade spelling list has 100 words that six- and seven-year-olds commonly learn. Half are high-frequency sight words such as the, said and they, and the rest are short-vowel words like big, hop and jump. The game reads each word aloud, so new readers can practice spelling by ear.
The 1st grade word list
The snowman drawing is on and wrong guesses are gentle. Switch the level to Easy so missed vowels do not count while your child is learning.
| Word | Letters | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| the | 3 | A word used before a thing, like the ball. |
| and | 3 | A word that joins two things together. |
| can | 3 | Able to do something. |
| big | 3 | Large in size. |
| run | 3 | To move fast on your feet. |
| sit | 3 | To rest on a chair or the floor. |
| hop | 3 | To jump on one foot or like a bunny. |
| fun | 3 | Something that makes you happy. |
| was | 3 | A word that tells about the past. |
| see | 3 | To look at something with your eyes. |
| play | 4 | To have fun with a game or toy. |
| said | 4 | Spoke out loud in the past. |
| they | 4 | A word for other people or things. |
| have | 4 | To own or hold something. |
| come | 4 | To move toward someone. |
| like | 4 | To enjoy something. |
| jump | 4 | To push off the ground into the air. |
| look | 4 | To use your eyes to see. |
| went | 4 | Moved to a place in the past. |
| make | 4 | To build or create something. |
| green | 5 | The color of grass. |
| blue | 4 | The color of a clear sky. |
| happy | 5 | Feeling good and glad. |
| little | 6 | Small in size. |
| down | 4 | Toward the ground. |
| here | 4 | In this place. |
| what | 4 | A word used to ask a question. |
| fast | 4 | Moving very quickly. |
| pet | 3 | An animal that lives with a family. |
| sing | 4 | To make music with your voice. |
| at | 2 | In or near a place. |
| am | 2 | A form of be, as in I am. |
| an | 2 | One, used before vowels. |
| be | 2 | To exist. |
| by | 2 | Near or beside. |
| do | 2 | To act or make. |
| go | 2 | To move. |
| he | 2 | A boy or man. |
| if | 2 | In case. |
| in | 2 | Inside. |
| is | 2 | A form of be. |
| it | 2 | A thing. |
| me | 2 | Myself. |
| my | 2 | Belonging to me. |
| no | 2 | Not yes. |
| of | 2 | Belonging to. |
| on | 2 | On top of. |
| or | 2 | A choice word. |
| so | 2 | Very, or therefore. |
| to | 2 | Toward. |
| up | 2 | Higher. |
| us | 2 | You and me. |
| we | 2 | Me and others. |
| all | 3 | Every one. |
| are | 3 | A form of be. |
| ask | 3 | To say a question. |
| bat | 3 | A stick or a flying mammal. |
| bed | 3 | Where you sleep. |
| but | 3 | However. |
| cut | 3 | To split with scissors. |
| day | 3 | Time when it is light. |
| did | 3 | Past of do. |
| for | 3 | Meant to help. |
| get | 3 | To receive. |
| got | 3 | Past of get. |
| had | 3 | Past of have. |
| has | 3 | Owns. |
| her | 3 | Belonging to a girl. |
| him | 3 | That boy. |
| his | 3 | Belonging to a boy. |
| hot | 3 | Very warm. |
| how | 3 | In what way. |
| let | 3 | To allow. |
| man | 3 | A grown boy. |
| mop | 3 | A tool to clean floors. |
| not | 3 | No way. |
| now | 3 | At this time. |
| old | 3 | Not new. |
| one | 3 | The number 1. |
| our | 3 | Belonging to us. |
| out | 3 | Not inside. |
| put | 3 | To place. |
| ran | 3 | Past of run. |
| sat | 3 | Past of sit. |
| she | 3 | A girl or woman. |
| ten | 3 | The number 10. |
| top | 3 | The highest part. |
| two | 3 | The number 2. |
| who | 3 | Which person. |
| yes | 3 | Not no. |
| you | 3 | The person I talk to. |
| back | 4 | Behind. |
| call | 4 | To shout or phone. |
| each | 4 | Every one. |
| find | 4 | To discover. |
| from | 4 | Starting at. |
| good | 4 | Nice or right. |
| help | 4 | To assist. |
| into | 4 | To the inside. |
| just | 4 | Only. |
Sight words need a different kind of practice
Words like said, was and they do not follow the sounds kids learn first. Said sounds like sed, and was sounds like wuz. Children learn these by seeing them many times. Hangman helps because the child must think about each letter, then sees and hears the full word at the end.
First grade practice, step by step
- Step 1
Tap Say the word
Listen together, then say it back.
- Step 2
Find the letters
Let your child tap each sound they hear.
- Step 3
Read it once more
Point to the finished word and read it out loud.
Good times for 1st grade practice
- Five minutes after school
- Before bedtime reading
- Weekend review with grandparents
- Car line pick-up wait
- Summer before 2nd grade
- Reading intervention groups
Frequently asked questions
What spelling words do 1st graders learn?
Most 1st graders learn short-vowel words like cat, big and run, plus sight words like the, said and was. Many classes also start blends such as jump and fast.
How many spelling words should a 1st grader learn each week?
Many schools give five to ten words a week in first grade. Short lists help young children feel successful. This page's 100 words cover a few months.
What are sight words?
Sight words are common words kids learn to recognize on sight, often because they do not follow normal sound rules. The, said, was and they are classic examples.
Is Hangman too hard for a 1st grader?
Not with the right settings. Use Easy mode, keep the snowman, and say the word first. Sit together for the first few rounds.
Why does the game say the word out loud?
Hearing the word turns guessing into spelling practice. First graders are learning to match sounds to letters, so listening first helps them choose the right ones.
Should my child practice spelling on paper too?
Yes. Writing the word by hand after each game round helps memory. Our printable Hangman sheets and this printable list make it easy.
How can I tell if my child is ready for 2nd grade words?
If they can spell most of these 100 words with two misses or fewer, try the 2nd grade list. Keep a few 1st grade sight words in the mix for review.
Can I add my child's school words?
Yes. Type the school list into the custom maker and save the link. It will read each word aloud just like this page.
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