First Grade Spelling Packets (Curriculum)

Finally! A First Grade Spelling Curriculum that makes sense! I am so excited to share with you spelling packets and curriculum that requires NO PREP and makes teaching spelling FUN! This curriculum is not a random list of words that students memorize one week and then forget the next week. Rather, this is a phonics-based and sight word-based spelling curriculum that helps students gain spelling mastery! And it’s FUN!

Click the video below for a detailed outline of the 1st Grade Spelling Curriculum:

How are the words chosen?

This first grade spelling curriculum focuses on a method called word study, which is phonics-based rather than rote memorization of random lists. Also incorporated into the curriculum are sight words.

Words 1-6: Phonics Based Spelling

The first 6 words each week are focused on a phonics skill or spelling rule. Like phonics-based reading instruction, phonics-based spelling builds a deep understanding of the patterns in words. As a result, students will not need to learn to spell one word at a time. Instead, they will learn patterns that they can apply to any word. With phonics-based spelling students will systematically and incrementally improve their ability to spell both simple and complex words. 

Words 7-10: Sight Words

The final 4 words each week are sight words. Sight words are the most used words in the English language. Being able to fluently write these words is key to students developing effective written communication. 

By the end of the year, students will cover the Pre-Primer, Primer, and First Grade Dolch sight words. Together these 133 words make up more than half of the words we read and write. Mastering these basic words will allow students to focus their writing efforts on formulating ideas and spelling tricky words.

Note: There are some review weeks that do not include sight words.

Through this method of spelling, students are provided with a balanced literacy approach that will help increase their ability to read, write, and spell! It’s a spelling program that makes sense!

How are the Weekly Packets Organized?

Each week, students get a packet that has engaging practice for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. On Friday, student are ready to take their spelling test! The cover of each packet contains the spelling rule for the week. Students can refer back to the rule as they practice their words.

What is included?

• 38 Weeks of fun Spelling packets Monday – Thursday practice/ Friday Test
• Home Connection Parent and Friends Letter
• 11 Spelling Menus – one for each new Phonics Skill
• Packet Covers with the Spelling Rule 
• Flashcards for each List
• A variety of Spellings Lists with the Spelling Rule

Weeks 1-6 Sample Overview:

Ways to use this curriculum:

Traditional Weekly Spelling Homework & Assignments

• Assign students one word list a week.
• Send home a weekly spelling menu and packet. Families can choose activities they enjoy to practice the words and promote a strong school-home connection. 
• Assess your students at the end of the week with one of the provided spelling test templates. 

Traditional Weekly Spelling & Assignments

• Assign students one word list a week.
• Use the provided activities throughout the week for fun hands-on practice. 
• Assess your students at the end of the week with one of the provided spelling test templates. 

Word Study & Centers

• Practice the words together each day in morning meeting.
• Use the provided activities for centers, morning work, or seat work throughout the week. 

Extension or Intervention

• Use this curriculum as an extra challenge for advanced kindergarten students. 
• Use this curriculum as intervention for older students in need of extra phonics and sight word practice.

Weekly Breakdown and Overview

Weeks 1-5

Week 1: Spelling Rule: CVC Every word has a least one vowel

• Focus: Short a 

Week 2: Spelling Rule: CVC Every word has a least one vowel

• Focus: Short e 

Week 3: Spelling Rule: CVC Every word has a least one vowel

• Focus: Short i 

Week 4: Spelling Rule: CVC Every word has a least one vowel

• Focus: Short o 

Week 5: Spelling Rule: CVC Every word has a least one vowel

• Focus: Short u 

Weeks 6-8

Week 6: Spelling Rule: Silent e Silent e makes the vowel say its name

• Focus: a_e and i_e

Week 7: Spelling Rule: Silent e Silent e makes the vowel say its name

• Focus: o_e and u_e

Week 8: Review Week (CVC and Silent e Words)

Weeks 9-12

Week 9: Spelling Rule: Digraphs & Trigraphs Letters working together to make one sound

• Focus: th and ph

Week 10: Spelling Rule: Digraphs & Trigraphs Letters working together to make one sound

• Focus: sh and wh

Week 11: Spelling Rule: Digraphs & Trigraphs Letters working together to make one sound

• Focus: ch and tch

Week 12: Spelling Rule: Digraphs & Trigraphs Use ck to make the c sound after a short vowel & qu (stick like glue)

Weeks 13-16

Week 13: Spelling Rule: Blends blend together but both of their sounds can still be heard

• Focus: L Blends and R Blends

Week 14: Spelling Rule: Blends blend together but both of their sounds can still be heard

• Focus: S Blends and T Blends

Week 15: Spelling Rule: Blends blend together but both of their sounds can still be heard

• Focus: ng

Week 16: Spelling Rule: Blends blend together but both of their sounds can still be heard

• Focus: ng

Weeks 17-21

Week 17: Spelling Rule: Vowel Teams When two vowels are together the first one says its name (long sound). The second one is silent.

• Focus: ai (beginning or middle) & ay (end)

Week 18: Spelling Rule: Vowel Teams When two vowels are together the first one says its name (long sound). The second one is silent.

• Focus: ea (beginning, middle or end), ee (middle or end) & ey (end)

Week 19: Spelling Rule: Vowel Teams When two vowels are together the first one says its name (long sound). The second one is silent.

• Focus: ie

Week 20: Spelling Rule: Vowel Teams When two vowels are together the first one says its name (long sound). The second one is silent.

• Focus: oa (beginning or middle) & oe (end)

Week 21: Review Week: Digraphs, Trigraphs, Blends, Vowel Teams

Weeks 22-24

Week 22: Spelling Rule: Bossy R: When a syllable has a vowel that is followed by r, the vowel is “controlled” by the r and makes a new sound.

• Focus: ar and or

Week 23: Spelling Rule: Bossy R: When a syllable has a vowel that is followed by r, the vowel is “controlled” by the r and makes a new sound.

• Focus: er, ir, and ur

Week 24: Spelling Rule: Y as a Vowel 

• Focus: 1 syllable- y says i, 2 syllables- y says e

Weeks 25-27

Week 25: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases 

• Focus: Ow as long o

Week 26: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases

• Focus: ou (beginning & middle) & ow (end & followed by l/n)

Week 27: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases 

• Focus: Oi (middle) oy (end)

Week 28: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases 

• Focus: short oo

Week 29: Review Week Diphthongs and Special Cases 

Weeks 30-33

Week 30: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases Continued

• Focus: /oo/ sound- oo& ui (mostly in the middle)

Week 31: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases Continued

• Focus: /oo/ sound- ew, ue, u_ e (mostly at the end)

Week 32: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases Continued

• Focus: igh

Week 33: Spelling Rule: Diphthongs and Special Cases Continued

• Focus: Au & aw

Weeks 34-38

Week 34: Spelling Rule: Soft Consonants

• Focus: Soft c (ce, ci, cy)

Week 35: Spelling Rule: Soft Consonants

• Focus: Soft g (ge, gi, or,gy)

Week 36: Spelling Rule: fszl Rule: f, s, z, and l are usually doubled at the end of 1 syllable words

• Focus: ff & ll

Week 37: Spelling Rule: fszl Rule: f, s, z, and l are usually doubled at the end of 1 syllable words

• Focus: ss & zz

Week 38: Review Week

Are you looking for more phonics practice? Click Here.

Are you looking for more sight word practice? Click Here.

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