High frequency words are words that don't follow the rules of spelling and have to be memorized to be recognized. They are the words that we teach beginning readers to remember by heart so they don't waste valuable reading fluency time by trying to decode them. Students' reading fluency and comprehension increase greatly upon mastering the high frequency words. We follow the Wonders English Language Arts reading program curriculum provided by the San Leandro School District. 

We begin our year with a review of the alphabet and high frequency words from kindergarten. First graders should know the 26 letter names and the sounds that those letters make by October. They should also be able to recognize and read the words listed in the document below each week and will be assessed at the end of each unit. This will help us begin our in depth journey into growing as readers.

Wonders 1st Grade Week-by-Week High Frequency Words

Spelling Tests will begin at the end of September. Spelling pretests and high frequency word lists are given on the first day of the school week. We practice writing and reading these words in class, but extra practice at home gives families the opportunity to bond during the journey to literacy. Students are assigned games and digital practice through VocabularySpelling City. Give your first grader the reading readiness advantage by letting them share their learning process with you. Here is an assortment of other resources to help extend your family home literacy practice.

VocabularySpelling City and Wonder's Website (Please email me if you need help with logging in!)

Scholastic has some fun games you can play together at home to extend weekly practice.

Sight Word (also known as High Frequency Words) Games

HealthyChildren.Org