1st Grade Spelling Words

1st grade spelling words are important for a first grader, as that is really the beginning of their education. It is important that a list of 1st grade spelling words is used so that the student can practice and learn how to achieve better academic performance than he or she would otherwise have. Every 1st grade spelling word is important because the student’s comprehension of reading, writing, and spelling, is built one word at a time. By using a spelling list, it is easy to quickly improve spelling performance.

As a tutor, I often use 1st grade spelling words to help my students improve their spelling, however these spelling lists are not a magical solution all by themselves. In fact, there really is no one key to education. Although lists of 1st grade spelling words can improve ability to read and write, what is even more important is actual practice reading and writing. 1st grade spelling words really don't prepare you all by themselves.

Each student must be able to read at multiple levels. A book for “fluency” is useful, as well as a more challenging one. The fluency book is one at comfort level, or perhaps just above that, designed to help the student become more confident smoothly decoding their readings. The challenge book can help them advance their level once their confidence improves, and can even be tailored to include 1st grade spelling words so that they can immediately see how these words can be included in writing. What is really useful is alternating lessons – first the book, then the 1st grade spelling words, and finally the writing.

The writing is pretty basic at that level. It isn't so important to include lists of 1st grade spelling words as a requirement of what the student must write. What really is important is to help the student learn to write smoothly and clearly. This is absolutely crucial and essential. The student, like with their reading, must learn to feel confident about writing at the first grade level before any more progress can be made. Otherwise, you will just make them feel nervous and apprehensive, which will not help learning at all. It really is most important to make the first grader enjoy the educational process so that he or she will feel fully prepared to enjoy school and learn as much as possible. This is the best way to succeed.