Update to 34 Word Lists
Short post, you might want to get the modified word lists
Hello all! I know that many of you have downloaded the 34 word lists I created. They are 300+ high frequency words now organized by spelling patterns instead of by order of frequency. They are in alignment with the science of reading and the way we should be teaching kids to learn words—by the mapping of sounds, not by visual memorization. These lists are probably useful for kindergarten, first, and second grade students.
I created these lists and tried them in my classroom the spring of 2021. Since most of my kindergartners were already reading at that point, I did not start them on the beginning lists, 1-10. Now, this fall, my teammate and I are trying the beginning lists for the first time. We talked today and decided that list number 2—two letter words ending in a long vowel—should be moved further down in the sequence of lists. We realized it didn’t make sense to train our kindergartners on short vowel sounds and, right when they were getting the hang of it, throw this new and different way of reading words at them. So you’ll now see two-letter words ending in a long vowel as list number eight.
By the way, the lists build on each other and thus the order of them is important.
Please—if you trust me on this and think you’ll be using these lists—click on the links and get the new sequence of lists. You’ll be asked to make a copy and that’s good because then you’ll have your own copy and can change them up however you want.
As I vet these in my classroom, I will keep you updated on any other changes I make so you can update your files. I don’t predict any more, but you never know…
Please comment if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, or advice. Thank you!
Word List 8 - long vowels (this is the former list 2)
Word List 26 - ea (long sound only)
Word List 28 - ow (long o sound)
Word List 30 - irregular rhyming words
If you want a whole lot more from Busy Bee Kindergarten, check out the October Special.
If you aren’t in need of much more from Busy Bee Kindergarten, but you appreciate the word lists, you might want to buy me a coffee.
Hi Susan! The easiest way to get the materials you're looking for is to email me. I will then send you links to the Google docs or folders. A couple of things I have are Word documents (like the tracking sheets you're looking for), but I can attach those to an email. Please email me at missbusybeekindergarten@gmail.com and I'll send you everything.
Hi Patricia! I created these lists and, yes, they are the ones that go into the students' reading folders. This is my third year using them and the work so well! The progression of phonics seems perfect and the students move right along through all the phonics I am teaching them. I also include Read and Draw, the fluency ladders/Continuous Texts, and Listen and Spell words and Listen and Spell Sentences. They are all fun and effective ways for kids to apply the phonics I am teaching them. I saw that you bought me a coffee. Thank you! How fun! I appreciate it! And I can't believe you've already taught so many years in first grade and second grade!