Kindergarten spelling words

6 free lists and 200 words, grouped by spelling pattern. Hear every word, print a practice sheet, or take a test online.

Short a words Short a says /a/ as in apple cat, hat, map, bag… 32 words Short i words Short i says /i/ as in itch pig, sit, lid, fin… 37 words Short o words Short o says /o/ as in octopus dog, hot, box, pot… 32 words Short u words Short u says /u/ as in up sun, bug, cup, rug… 35 words Short e words Short e says /e/ as in egg bed, hen, pet, web… 36 words Mixed short vowels Listen for the middle sound mud, wet, fit, cot… 28 words

What spelling words should a kindergarten student know?

Kindergarten spelling starts with the sounds of short vowels. Children listen for the middle sound and build simple words like cat, sit and hop.

These lists follow the order US structured-literacy programs teach spelling, so each one builds on the last. Schools differ, so use your child's own class list first if they bring one home.

Practicing at home

  • Practice one pattern at a time, so the rule stays in view.
  • Say the word, have your child spell it from memory, then check it together.
  • Keep it short and often. A few words a day is easier to keep up than one long session.
  • Come back to the words they missed a few days later.

FOR GROWN-UPS

Sheets built around your child's tricky words

A list like these is the same for every child. With Hero Membership, Wordstone prints practice sheets from the sounds and words your child finds hard, and a certificate for each spelling unit they master.

  • Practice sheets from your child's own trickiest sounds
  • A certificate for every unit they master
  • Detailed reports and a weekly email
  • One price for the family, up to 4 children
Create a free parent account See Hero Membership

Hero Membership: usually $5.99 $2.99 for the first month, then $5.99/month, or $59/year. First month offer for new families. Cancel anytime.

The account is free, and all the learning stays free. See a sample dashboard.

A sample practice sheet for a hero named BraveOtter42, with the letters ai and ou blanked out of words and sentences to fill in.
Sample practice sheet
A sample certificate of mastery for BraveOtter42, for the spelling of ai and ay.
Sample certificate