Free printable · Dolch sight words

Dolch second grade 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 second grade level. The second grade level includes several words that are easy to mix up, such as their, these and those, or which, wish and why.

This page has all 46 words of the Dolch second grade list, in alphabetical order, as a printable list and as flashcards.

Words a to c

always
around
because
been
before
best
both
buy
call
cold

Words d to i

does
don't
fast
first
five
found
gave
goes
green
its

Words m to s

made
many
off
or
pull
read
right
sing
sit
sleep

Words t to w

tell
their
these
those
upon
us
use
very
wash
which

Words w to y

why
wish
work
would
write
your

How to use this list

Practise look-alike words side by side (their and there, which and wish) and ask your child to point to the one you say.
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.

Why does don't have an apostrophe?

Don't is a short way of writing do not; the apostrophe shows where the o of not was taken out. It is the only word on the Dolch lists written with an apostrophe.

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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