1st grade · Spelling
What a 1st grade student learns in Spelling
Grade 1 spelling centers on applying phonics knowledge to spell one-syllable words with short and long vowels, common digraphs, blends, and inflectional endings, plus conventional spelling of high-frequency irregular words. Students move from purely phonetic approximations to using grade-level patterns and conventions in daily writing.
The skills for the year
- 1Spell CVC and CCVC/CVCC words with short vowels using correct consonant and short-vowel correspondences
- 2Spell words with common consonant digraphs (sh, ch, th, wh, ck)
- 3Spell words with initial and final consonant blends (bl, st, nd, mp, etc.)
- 4Spell words with final -e (CVCe) long-vowel pattern
- 5Spell words with common long-vowel teams (ai, ay, ee, ea, oa, ow)
- 6Spell words with r-controlled vowels (ar, or, er/ir/ur)
- 7Spell words with common diphthongs and variant vowels (oi/oy, ou/ow, oo)
- 8Add and spell inflectional endings -s, -es, -ing, -ed on base words (including doubling and silent-e drop when required)
- 9Spell two-syllable words by applying open/closed syllable and basic vowel patterns
- 10Spell grade-appropriate high-frequency irregular words (the, said, was, of, they, etc.)
- 11Use phonetic spelling strategies for untaught words based on sound-letter knowledge
- 12Distinguish and correctly spell homophones common to grade 1 (to/two/too, be/bee, etc.)
- 13Apply knowledge that every syllable needs a vowel when spelling multisyllabic words
- 14Spell words with common prefixes/suffixes at a basic level (un-, -ful) when encountered
- 15Self-correct spelling of pattern words using word walls, personal dictionaries, or sound boxes
- 16Transfer taught spelling patterns into independent writing across subjects
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