Free printable · Dolch sight words

Dolch primer sight words

Edward Dolch published his list of 220 "service words" in 1936: the small words, like the, and and said, that make up much of what young children read. Schools usually teach them in five levels; this is the primer level. Primer is the second level, usually taught in kindergarten after the pre-primer words.

This page has all 52 words of the Dolch primer list, in alphabetical order, as a printable list and as flashcards.

Words a to d

all
am
are
at
ate
be
black
brown
but
came
did

Words d to n

do
eat
four
get
good
have
he
into
like
must
new

Words n to s

no
now
on
our
out
please
pretty
ran
ride
saw
say

Words s to w

she
so
soon
that
there
they
this
too
under
want
was

Words w to y

well
went
what
white
who
will
with
yes

How to use this list

Pull out the words that follow simple phonics first (am, at, but, did, get, ran, will, yes) and let your child sound them out.
Sound out any part of the word that follows the usual rules (most do), and point out only the tricky part.
Keep a small pile of words your child knows and a small pile they are learning, and move cards over as they get them.
Read the words in real books too. A word on a card is learned for good when your child reads it in a story without stopping.

Frequently asked questions

Are Dolch words the same as sight words?

Dolch words are one well-known list of high-frequency words. Many schools call them sight words, but most of them can be sounded out, and children learn them best with phonics plus practice, not by memorising shapes.

Which primer words are hardest?

Usually the ones whose spelling does not match the sound, such as are, have, they, was and who. Point out the tricky part and practise those a little more often.

Is it all right to print and share this list?

Yes. The Dolch lists are old enough to be in the public domain, and this page is free to print for home or classroom use.

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