Dolch Sight Words for Elementary Grades

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Updated March 27, 2020
Dolch Sight Words for Elementary Grades
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If you're an early childhood education teacher, then you'll probably benefit from teaching lessons on Dolch sight words for elementary grades. The list of Dolch sight words for elementary grades is quite extensive.

These words are instrumental for students learning how to read. Whether taught via flash cards or other means, incorporating them into your lesson plans can spark a lifelong love of reading.

Dolch Sight Words for Pre-Primer (Pre-Kindergarten)

The Dolch Word website provides a table of all 220 Dolch site words by grade level, from pre-primer (pre-kindergarten) to 3rd grade. The pre-primer list contains words most pre-kindergarteners should learn to recognize. Here's a healthy starting point for your classroom list:

  • and
  • big
  • can
  • down
  • find
  • for
  • go
  • I
  • in
  • it
  • look
  • me
  • my
  • play
  • run
  • see
  • the
  • up
  • we
  • you

When teaching pre-kindergarteners their sight words it might be easier to teach using songs. It is no secret that children enjoy singing. If you notice, most of the information that pre-kindergarteners retain from their favorite shows (like Sesame Street, Little Baby Bum, or Word Party) usually comes from songs.

If you put the sight words to music, perhaps students will better recognize them. This method can be used for the kindergarten and first grade lists as well.

Dolch Sight Words for Primer (Kindergarten)

It's not too difficult for kindergarteners to learn their sight words. The average kindergartener will be slightly more focused than the average pre-kindergartener. Nonetheless, it will probably still be easier for kindergarteners to learn via music and stories as well.

Even though these word lists are meant to be learned by sight, sometimes learning them by sight and sound will better ingrain them into the memories of the students. Here's another list of 20 great Dolch words:

  • be
  • but
  • came
  • eat
  • get
  • good
  • have
  • he
  • like
  • now
  • ride
  • she
  • that
  • there
  • they
  • under
  • was
  • what
  • with
  • yes

For kindergarteners, you might want to display colorful posters and cutouts with these sight words on them. You can sprinkle them throughout the room or create a dedicated word wall which lists each word under the corresponding letter of the alphabet.

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Dolch Sight Words for First Grade

If you look at the array of word lists for pre-kindergarten through third grade, you'll notice many words must be learned by sight alone. Photos and images won't help to describe these words.

That's why the process of teaching Dolch sight words for elementary school students is crucial. That's why they must be taught in the right way. Here's a selection of 20 sight words to get things started in the first grade:

  • after
  • any
  • ask
  • from
  • give
  • going
  • had
  • her
  • him
  • his
  • just
  • live
  • of
  • open
  • put
  • stop
  • take
  • them
  • think
  • walk

For more on sight words in general, enjoy reading How to Teach Sight Words.

Dolch Sight Words for Second Grade

The average second grader is rip, roaring and ready to learn. You might find that teaching sight words to a group of second graders is interesting, to say the least. This is a good transition period for many students.

They're claiming their independence as little people while exploring their world. As they increase their explorations, make sure they have these 20 sight words under their belt:

  • always
  • because
  • best
  • both
  • call
  • cold
  • found
  • green
  • many
  • read
  • sing
  • sleep
  • these
  • those
  • upon
  • very
  • wish
  • would
  • write
  • yours
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Dolch Sight Words for Third Grade

Third graders might be a bit more willing to test your patience as a teacher. So, to maximize their learning, you will definitely want to incorporate a sight word game of some sort into your lesson plan. Here are 20 words to help you get started at the third grade level:

  • about
  • better
  • cut
  • done
  • full
  • hold
  • hurt
  • kind
  • laugh
  • light
  • long
  • much
  • myself
  • seven
  • shall
  • show
  • six
  • small
  • today
  • warm

A great way to learn these words is to see them in context. Here are some of our favorite Dolch Sight Words in Phrases to jumpstart your lesson plans. And, for a printable of all four of these lists, you can find it here on Dolch Word's website.

Dolch Words and Games

No matter the grade level, consider using songs or games to get the group excited to be a part of the learning process. This will help you inspire your students to want to learn more. In keeping with the theme of word lists, we've developed an extensive array of word lists here at YourDictionary.

One of our favorite series is "Words That Start With…" Walk through the alphabet with your little learners with these lists of words that are categorized by letter and grade level. Enjoy making the art of reading fun!