Essential Words for Spelling and Writing.
The following words are used often when you write, in fact they make up about three-quarters of most writing! It is very important that you know how to spell these words correctly. They have been put into lists to show how often they are used. Words in List 1 are used the most often, words in List 2 are used the next most often etc.
Year 1 and 2 students should know how to correctly spell the following lists of words:
Essential List 1 (10 words; 25% of writing)
a I it the was
and in my to we
Essential List 2 (20 words; 15% of writing)
at had of that up
but he on then went
for is she there when
got me so they you
Essential List 3 (30 words; 10% of writing)
about be go into our
after because going just out
all came have like said
are day her mum some
as down his not were
back get home one with
Year 3 and 4 students should know how to spell the above three lists, plus the following:
Essential List 4 (50 words; 10% of writing)
again do next people time
an first night put took
around food no ran two
big from now saw us
by good off school very
can has old see well
come him only started what
could house or their will
dad if other them would
did little over this your
Year 5 and 6 students should know how to spell the above four lists, plus the following:
Essential List 5 (50 words; 5% of writing)
am door last once through
another everyone left play told
away family long really too
bed five looked room walked
been found made something want
before friend man still way
best fun more thing where
brother heard morning think which
called here name thought who
car know never three year
Essential List 6 (70 words; 5% of writing)
also cool eyes head jump
always dark fell hit knew
asked decided felt how later
black dog find inside life
boy eat four its live
bus end gave it’s lot
cat even getting I’ll lunch
coming every great I’m make
minutes place sister top water
most ready sleep town while
much ride suddenly tree why
nice right take turned window
opened run tell until woke
outside say ten wanted yes
Year 7 and 8 students should know how to spell all of the above lists, plus the following:
Essential List 7 (60 words; 3% of writing)
any each ground money soon
baby ever guard mother stay
bad everything hand myself stop
ball face happened new swimming
being fast happy parents tea
bit father help picked than
boat few hole playing tried
bought finally hot presents under
camp finished hour road wait
dead game let side won
died girl look small work
doing gone many sometimes world
