Spelling Words by Grade and Year Level

The grade-level guides explain what spelling patterns and vocabulary students are typically expected to know at each stage. The word lists give you the actual words to work with. Think of the guides as the map and the word lists as the territory. Both are useful, and they are designed to complement each other. If you want to understand the curriculum context, start with the grade-level guide. If you want words to print and start working on right now, start here.

Each list contains exactly 100 words, grouped into 4–6 spelling pattern categories. This is enough to cover the key patterns at each level without being overwhelming. Working through one pattern group at a time (15–25 words) in short daily sessions is more effective than trying to cover all 100 at once.

Yes. Every word list page includes a print button that produces a clean, printer-friendly layout. You can also use your browser's "Save as PDF" option to keep a digital copy. The printed version includes the pattern group headings so you can work through one group at a time.

Use the lists that match your child's school system. US lists use American English spellings and are aligned to Common Core expectations. Australian lists use Australian English spellings (e.g., colour, organise) and are aligned to the Australian Curriculum. If you are in the UK or New Zealand, the Australian lists are typically the closer match. The underlying spelling patterns are very similar across regions; the main differences are in specific word choices and spelling conventions.