Dolch Words

Words of the Week

The purpose of this page is to supplement word work for the Words of the Week that are frequently used in primary classrooms. Teachers who use these words as part of their Word Wall have requested these activities. (Thanks for your help, Sandi!) Each packet may include activities for 5 new words with a review packet after four weeks: configuration, cloze, sentence writing, word search, antonyms, rhyme time, handwriting (words for lists one and two and then sentences thereafter), story comprehension, and alphabetical order. There are different genres for the story comprehension component. For instance, it may be a personal narrative, a poem, a song, a how to, a letter, a poster and maybe even a menu, etc. I also plan to write letters to children to explain my motivation to write some of the stories or to let them know where I get my ideas. This may generate more student interest in writing. I hope so!

I've been using these packets in an academy for at risk second graders. Initially, I allowed the students to write their own sentences for the Sentence Sense page. However, they were having so much difficulty with it that I decided to dictate sentences that included words that we've already worked with as well as the new ones. It was very successful and I'm going to continue with that format. Why? I found that I was able to use language that facilitates the development of good writing strategies. We talked about using capitals, correct punctuation, spacing, etc. They counted the number of words in each sentence before writing, reread as they wrote to see what came next, etc. With one student I've been able to work on reversals (p, d, and d) during the dictation sessions. You may want to try using the dictation process and see how it works for your children.

I love it! My group of second graders is growing in leaps and bounds. They are taking more ownership of their work, neatness and accuracy has improved and they are revisiting the stories to check their work. I've added some extras to my group work. For instance, I brought in a book on skunks for the 4c comprehension story. The kids really enjoyed learning and writing about skunks. If you think of any other extensions to some of these packets, please let me know and I'll share them on this page.

Parents and teachers seem to be happy with the progress and I'm proud of my little guys! Who else gets up three mornings a week to spend an hour working on their reading and writing skills before school?! My sister, a Resource Specialist, reports that her academy kids especially like the reader's theater scripts, songs and poems. I guess that means that I need to write more scripts!

One word of caution: The review components may be too complicated or difficult for some of your students. For instance, in Rhyme Time, some of the rhyming words sound the same, but don't have the same spelling. Alphabetical order has some words that begin with the same letter and sentence writing uses two words from the word bank in each sentence. Pick and choose wisely.

Source for the Dolch Word List: http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Dolch/Dolch.html

I would highly recommend looking at this site for other activities to go with this page. It has phrases, student practice books, game boards and much, much more! It's worth the time to look at it.

Word Wall Activities

Word Wall Sorting Sheet

Louder and Louder: Have students begin reading the words on the word wall in a whisper. As they go along, have them gradually increase the volume until they are shouting the last word.

Swat!: Divide students into two teams, each standing on one side of the word wall. Give the first student in each team a flyswatter. Read a word from the word wall. The first team to swat the word gets a point. The swatter then passes the flyswatter to the next team member.

Read the word wall quickly. Read it backwards from z to a. (All go at the same speed to develop fluency and increased rate.)

Pick one letter list. Read it fast. Read it faster. Read it faster.

What's My Rule?
(specific directions and rationale)

What's My Rule? or Guess the Rule:
Read three words from the wall that contain the same attribute. Children will guess your rule for selecting these three words and see if they can add a word or two that follows that rule. A good comment to make in response to student guesses: "That's a great rule, but it's not the one I'm thinking of." (Some suggested commonalties: They all have: prefixes, suffixes, double consonants, silent letters, blends, etc. They are: nouns, verbs, adjectives, adverbs, plurals, compound words, foreign words, opposites, etc.)

Four Clues and Four Guesses: Teacher or student gives a word clue (i.e., I'm thinking of a word that starts with b) from the word wall. Students write their first guess on their individual white boards. Provide a second clue (It's a noun.) Students write their second guess. Continue with clues/guesses (examples: It ends with a silent e. It has two syllables. It rhymes with, etc.). By the fourth clue, everyone should have the correct word. You will need to model this activity.

Timed by whole group

Chants: Pick a list and spell it. Assign vowels to one group (boys, girls, this side of the room, etc.) and consonants to another. As you spell each word, the students stand and chant their assigned letters and then sit down. This is an excellent way to practice spelling while getting the wigglies out!

I'm Thinking of a Word: This is a good activity for developing scanning skills. However, be sure to build in success for all. You need to have many words on the word wall for it to be effective. I'm thinking of a word. It rhymes with, means the same thing as, is the opposite of, we use this word when, etc. When you know it, raise your hand. Kids can provide the clues later.

Word Wall Menus

Just a note: When the principal at my school saw these materials, he suggested that I use them for a before school academy for a group of at risk second graders. He also said that I should be working for Houghton Mifflin!! LOL!! If some of you have other ideas for ways to use these materials, or if you can think of other activities to include, please let me know. I'm open for new ideas!

Debra Grice, who teaches a K-1 in Pasco County, Florida, loved the activities on this page. However, she took it one step further and has allowed me to share her fabulous suggestion with you. She is focusing on fluency, so she numbered the lines in one of the stories below (Story 3a) in order to quickly count correct words per minute. She sends the stories home as nightly reading assignments. I'll be adding fluency drills to each comprehension packet, so check back for new ones. They begin with lesson 2b. Here's Debra's recording sheet. Thanks, Debra, for sharing!

Fluency Drill Recording Sheet

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Words of the Week 1a
(the, to, and, he, a)

Story Comprehension 1a
The Frog and the Dog

Frog and Dog Are Friends
(og Family Reader)

(Thanks to Tricia for the idea!)

Frog and Dog and the New Friend
(og Family Reader)

Frogs Rule!

Word Cards for 1a

Dolch 1a Word Cards Manuscript

Handwriting Practice for 1a
Handwriting Practice for 1a modern

Words of the Week 1b
(I, you, it, of, in)

Story Comprehension 1b
The Cat and the Fish

The Cat and the Fish
(Mini Book)

Pets Stationery 1
Primary Paper

Pets Stationery 2
Primary Paper

Word Cards for 1b

Handwriting Practice for 1b
Handwriting Practice for 1b modern

Words of the Week 1c
(was, said, his, that, she)

Story Comprehension 1c
Happy Birthday To You!

Happy Birthday to You!
(Mini Book)

Birthday Writing Paper

Birthday Stationery 1

Birthday Stationery 2
Primary Paper

Birthday Stationery 3
Primary Paper

Birthday Stationery 4
Primary Paper

Birthday Stationery 5
Primary Paper

Birthday Stationery 6
Primary Paper

Birthday Stationery 7
Primary Paper

Birthday Writing Poster

Word Cards for 1c

Handwriting Practice for 1c
Handwriting Practice for 1c modern

Words of the Week 1d
(for, on, they, but, had)

Story Comprehension 1d
Rain, Rain, Go Away!

Rain, Rain, Go Away!
(Mini Book)

Weather Stationery 1
Primary Paper

Weather Stationery 2
Primary Paper

Rainy Weather Writing Poster

Word Cards for 1d

Handwriting Practice for 1d
Handwriting Practice for 1d modern

Words of the Week 2a
(at, him, with, up, all)
Dictation Sentences for Sentence Sense

Story Comprehension 2a
Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!
(Mini Book)

Baseball Stationery
Primary Paper

Baseball Writing Poster

Word Cards for 2a

Handwriting Practice for 2a
Handwriting Practice for 2a modern

Words of the Week 2b
(look, is, her, go, some)

Story Comprehension 2b
Look at Her Go!

Look at Her Go!
(Mini Book)

Racing Stationery

2b Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 2b

Handwriting Practice for 2b
Handwriting Practice for 2b modern

Words of the Week 2c
(out, as, be, have, there)

Story Comprehension 2c
Look Out the Window!
(Letter from the author)

Look Out the Window!
(Mini Book)

2c Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 2c

Handwriting Practice for 2c
Handwriting Practice for 2c modern

Words of the Week 2d
(we, am, then, little, down)

Story Comprehension 2d
We are the Worms!
(Letter from the author)

We Are the Worms!
(Mini Book)

Worm Stationery

Fine Catch!

Some fine morning in spring,
When the newness of the day still glistens
On the damp seats of the motorboat,
We'll watch and listen.

My worm, reaching out to the depths of the lake,
Comes back with a prize.
"What a catch!"

2d Fluency Drill

Fishing Writing Poster

Word Cards for 2d

Handwriting Practice for 2d
Handwriting Practice for 2d modern

Words of the Week 3a
(do, can, could, when, did)

Story Comprehension 3a
What Do You Do?

What Do You Do?
(Mini Book)

Stationery

Homework Stationery

Snack Stationery

Chores Stationery
Chores Stationery

3a Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 3a

Handwriting Practice for 3a
Handwriting Practice for 3a modern
Handwriting Practice for 3a cursive

Words of the Week 3b
(what, so, see, not, were)

Story Comprehension 3b
A Walk in the Woods

A Walk in the Woods
(Mini Book)

Stationery

3b Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 3b

Handwriting Practice for 3b
Handwriting Practice for 3b modern
Handwriting Practice for 3b cursive

Words of the Week 3c
(get, them, like, one, this)

Story Comprehension 3c
Who Was Behind Those Masks?

Link to Raccoon Photo Gallery:
http://www.loomcom.com/raccoons/gallery/index.html

Raccoons: Facts and Fancies:
http://www.wildliferescueleague.org/report/raccoons.htm

Raccoon Peekover for Flap Book
Flap Books (Directions)

Word Cards for 3c

3c Fluency Drill

Handwriting Practice for 3c
Handwriting Practice for 3c modern
Handwriting Practice for 3c cursive

Word of the Week 3d
(my, would, me, will, yes)

Story Comprehension 3d
Who Will Help Me?
(Readers Theater Format)

Word Cards for 3d

Handwriting Practice for 3d
Handwriting Practice for 3d modern
Handwriting Practice for 3d cursive

Words of the Week 4a (big, went, are, come, if) Story Comprehension 4a Under the Big Top Under the Big Top (Mini Book) 4a Fluency Drill Word Cards for 4a Handwriting Practice for 4a Handwriting Practice for 4a modern Handwriting Practice for 4a cursive	Words of the Week 4b (now, long, no, came, ask) Story Comprehension 4b Are We There Yet? 4b Fluency Drill Word Cards for 4b Handwriting Practice for 4b Handwriting Practice for 4b modern Handwriting Practice for 4b cursive
Words of the Week 4c (very, an, over, your, its) Story Comprehension 4c Carl's New Kittens Letter from the Author 4c Fluency Drill Word Cards for 4c Handwriting Practice for 4c Handwriting Practice for 4c modern Handwriting Practice for 4c cursive	Words of the Week 4d (ride, into, just, blue, red) Story Comprehension 4d Ned's New Bike 4d Fluency Drill Word Cards for 4d Handwriting Practice for 4d Handwriting Practice for 4d modern Handwriting Practice for 4d cursive

Words of the Week 5a (from, good, any, how, around) Story Comprehension 5a (friendly letter format) Friendly Letter Format Instruction Ideas I'm Writing You This Letter(poem) 5a Fluency Drill Word Cards for 5a Handwriting Practice for 5a Handwriting Practice for 5a modern Handwriting Practice for 5a cursive	Words of the Week 5b (want, don't, about, know, right) Story Comprehension 5b The Peter Rabbit Scrunch (poem/song) Note to the teacher Link to Drama Drive for more Peter Rabbit Songs: http://teachers.santee.k12.ca.us/carl/drama_drive.htm 5b Fluency Drill Word Cards for 5b Handwriting Practice for 5b Handwriting Practice for 5b modern Handwriting Practice for 5b cursive
Words of the Week 5c (put, too, got, take, where) Story Comprehension 5c Putting Too and Two Together to Get More (Focus: homophones) 5c Fluency Drill Word Cards for 5c Handwriting Practice for 5c Handwriting Practice for 5c modern Handwriting Practice for 5c cursive	Words of the Week 5d (every, pretty, jump, green, four) Story Comprehension 5d From Eggs to Bullfrogs Part I (Frog Nonfiction) From Eggs to Bullfrogs Part II Bullfrog Life Cycle Song/Poem Frog Song 5d Fluency Drill Frogs Poster Word Cards for 5d Handwriting Practice for 5d Handwriting Practice for 5d modern Handwriting Practice for 5d cursive

Words of the Week 6a (away, old, by, their, here) Story Comprehension 6a No Fleas At This Flea Market! 6a Fluency Drill Word Cards for 6a Handwriting Practice for 6a Handwriting Practice for 6a modern Handwriting Practice for 6a cursive	Words of the Week 6b (saw, call, after, well, think) Story Comprehension 6b Get Well Soon! 6b Fluency Drill Word Cards for 6b Handwriting Practice for 6b Handwriting Practice for 6b modern Handwriting Practice for 6b cursive
Words of the Week 6c (ran, let, help, make, going) Story Comprehension 6c How Sweet It Is! (Jelly Belly Factory Facts) Teaching Heart's Jelly Bean Page: http://www.teachingheart.net/jellybeans.html 6c Fluency Drill Word Cards for 6c Handwriting Practice for 6c Handwriting Practice for 6c modern Handwriting Practice for 6c cursive	Words of the Week 6d (sleep, brown, yellow, five, six) Story Comprehension 6d The Sloppy Sleepover 6d Fluency Drill Word Cards for 6d Handwriting Practice for 6d Handwriting Practice for 6d modern Handwriting Practice for 6d cursive

Words of the Week 7a (walk, two, or, before, eat) Story Comprehension 7a Teddy Bear Picnic (Poem) Story Comprehension 7aa The Perfect Picnic More Story Comprehension 7a 7a Fluency Drill 7aa Fluency Drill Word Cards for 7a Handwriting Practice for 7a Handwriting Practice for 7a modern Handwriting Practice for 7a cursive	Words of the Week 7b (again, play, who, been, may) Story Comprehension 7b Games People Play 7b Fluency Drill Word Cards for 7b Handwriting Practice for 7b Handwriting Practice for 7b modern Handwriting Practice for 7b cursive
Words of the Week 7c (stop, off, never, seven, eight) Story Comprehension 7c Just One Thin Dime! 7c Fluency Drill Word Cards for 7c Handwriting Practice for 7c Handwriting Practice for 7c modern Handwriting Practice for 7c cursive	Words of the Week 7d (cold, today, fly, myself, round) Story Comprehension 7d Mama, What Will the Weather Be? (Tune: Oh, Dear! What Can the Matter Be?) To hear the melody: http://ingeb.org/songs/ohdearwh.html Seasonal Sorts (pocket chart activity) Word Cards for 7d Handwriting Practice for 7d Handwriting Practice for 7d modern Handwriting Practice for 7d cursive

Words of the Week 8a
(tell, much, keep, give, work)

Story Comprehension 8a
I'm Not Your Mama!

8a Fluency Drill

Words Cards for 8a

Handwriting Practice for 8a
Handwriting Practice for 8a modern
Handwriting Practice for 8a cursive

Words of the Week 8b
(first, try, new, must, start)

Story Comprehension 8b
Peanut Butter, Please!

8b Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 8b

Handwriting Practice for 8b
Handwriting Practice for 8b modern
Handwriting Practice for 8b cursive

Words of the Week8c
(black, white, ten, does, bring)

Story Comprehension8c
Life at Logan

Story Comprehension 8cc
Laughter at Logan

8c Fluency Drill

Recess Poster

Word Cards for 8c

Handwriting Practice for 8c
Handwriting Practice for 8c modern
Handwriting Practice for 8c cursive

Words of the Week 8d
(goes, write, always, drink, once)

Story Comprehension 8d
Where's the Beef?

Big Mac, Big Mac, What Do You See?

Build a Burger! (little reader)

Build a Burger! (poem/song)

How Much is That Burger on the Menu? (poem/song)

On Top of My Burger (poem/song)

8d Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 8d

Handwriting Practice for 8d
Handwriting Practice for 8d modern
Handwriting Practice for 8d cursive

Words of the Week 9a (soon, made, run, gave, open) Story Comprehension 9a It Never Snows on Guam! 9a Fluency Drill Word Cards for 9a Handwriting Practice for 9a Handwriting Practice for 9a modern Handwriting Practice for 9a cursive	Words of the Week 9b (has, find, only, us, three) Story Comprehension 9b There's a Castle in Kassel! 9b Fluency Drill Word Cards for 9b Handwriting Practice for 9b Handwriting Practice for 9b modern Handwriting Practice for 9b cursive
Words of the Week 9c (our, better, hold, buy, funny) Story Comprehension 9c The Not-So-Perfect Pets 9c Fluency Drill Word Cards for 9c Handwriting Practice for 9c Handwriting Practice for 9c modern Handwriting Practice for 9c cursive	Words of the Week 9d (warm, ate, full, those, done) Story Comprehension 9d Cinnamon Buns for Breakfast! (recipe, too) 9d Fluency Drill Word Cards for 9d Handwriting Practice for 9d Handwriting Practice for 9d modern Handwriting Practice for 9d cursive

Words of the Week 10a
(use, fast, say, light, pick)

Story Comprehension 10a
Rooty! Toot! Toot!

Story Comprehension 10aa (supplement)
How to Build a Root Cellar

Story Comprehension 10aaa (supplement)
Boys Will Be Boys!

10a Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 10a

Handwriting Practice for 10a
Handwriting Practice for 10a modern
Handwriting Practice for 10a cursive

Words of the Week 10b
(hurt, pull, cut, kind, both)

Story Comprehension 10b
Chicken Feed

10b Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 10b

Handwriting Practice for 10b
Handwriting Practice for 10b modern
Handwriting Practice for 10b cursive

Words of the Week 10c
(sit, which, fall, carry, small)

Story Comprehension 10c
Fire and Ice!
(a depiction of fighting fires in the winter in Buffalo, New York)

For great information on firefighting, go to http://Firehouse.com

U.S. Fire Administration for Kids has resources for parents and teachers:
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/kids/flash.shtm

10c Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 10c

Handwriting Practice for 10c
Handwriting Practice for 10c modern
Handwriting Practice for 10c cursive

Words of the Week 10d
(under, read, why, own, found)

Story Comprehension 10d
The Promise of a Prairie Summer

10d Fluency Drill

Word Cards for 10d

Handwriting Practice for 10d
Handwriting Practice for 10d modern
Handwriting Practice for 10d cursive

Words of the Week 11a (wash, show, hot, because, far) Story Comprehension for 11a Grandma's Apron 11a Fluency Drill Word Cards for 11a Handwriting Practice for 11a Handwriting Practice for 11a modern Handwriting Practice for 11a cursive	Words of the Week 11b (live, draw, clean, grow, best) Story Comprehension for 11b Faded Photograph 11b Fluency Drill Word Cards for 11b Handwriting Practice for 11b Handwriting Practice for 11b modern Handwriting Practice for 11b cursive
Words of the Week 11c (upon, these, sing, together, please) Story Comprehension for 11c I'm Glad I'm Not a Dinosaur! 11c Fluency Drill Word Cards for 11c Handwriting Practice for 11c Handwriting Practice for 11c modern Handwriting Practice for 11c cursive	Words of the Week 11d (thank, wish, many, shall, laugh) Story Comprehension for 11d Church Suppers and Box Socials 11d Fluency Drill Word Cards for 11d Handwriting Practice for 11d Handwriting Practice for 11d modern Handwriting Practice for 11d cursive