Free Sight Word Checklist Printables
Dolch sight word lists organized by grade — check off each word as your child masters reading, spelling, and writing it.
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Dolch Pre-K (40 words)
The 40 Dolch pre-primer words every early reader should know.
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Dolch Kindergarten (52 words)
The 52 Dolch primer words for kindergarten readers.
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Dolch Grade 1 (41 words)
The 41 Dolch first-grade words for growing readers.
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Dolch Grade 2 (46 words)
The 46 Dolch second-grade words for fluent reading.
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Dolch Grade 3 (41 words)
The 41 Dolch third-grade words for confident readers.
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Blank Word Checklist
A flexible word checklist to write your own sight words.
Which sight word list should you start with?
Sight words are the common words children are encouraged to recognize instantly, without sounding out — words like the, and, and you that show up on every page. The checklists use the Dolch word lists, the classic grade-by-grade sets still used in most early-reading classrooms. Start with the Pre-K list (40 words) for preschoolers, move to the Kindergarten list (52 words) as they begin reading, then work through Grade 1 (41 words), Grade 2 (46 words), and Grade 3 (41 words). If a child already knows most of one list, jump to the next — the lists build on each other, so there is no harm in starting a little ahead.
How to use the checklist
Each word gets three checkboxes: Read, Spell, and Write. A word counts as truly learned when a child can do all three — recognize it in a book, spell it out loud, and write it from memory. Work through five to ten words a week rather than the whole list at once; short, regular practice beats a long cram session. Date the top of the sheet and keep finished checklists in a folder — flipping back through a completed list is a genuine confidence boost for a young reader, and it shows you exactly which words still need work.
Why sight words matter
About half of the words in early children's books are sight words. When a child recognizes them on sight, their reading brain is free to decode the new words instead of stalling on every the and was. That fluency is what turns halting reading into real reading. The Dolch lists have been classroom-tested for decades precisely because they target the highest-frequency words first — the forty Pre-K words alone cover a remarkable share of what a beginner will encounter.
Print settings
Print on US Letter at 100% scale so the checkboxes stay a comfortable size for little hands. The longer lists (Kindergarten and up) fit neatly in portrait; everything is black-and-white friendly and light on ink. Laminate a copy and use a dry-erase marker if you want a reusable version for a classroom word wall or tutoring binder.
Related printables & tools
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Spelling Worksheet Generator
Turn any word list into trace, fill-in, or write-3x practice sheets.
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Penmanship Worksheets
Practice writing the words by hand with trace-and-copy sheets.
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Handwriting Sheet Maker
Make custom handwriting practice from your own sight word list.
Frequently asked questions
What are Dolch sight words?
The Dolch word lists are 220 common English words (plus 95 nouns) compiled in the 1930s–40s and organized by grade from Pre-K to Grade 3. They remain the most widely used sight word sets in early-reading instruction because they cover the highest-frequency words children meet in books.
How many sight words should a kindergartner know?
Most kindergarten programs aim for the 52-word Dolch kindergarten list by year end, but every child moves at their own pace. Mastering 25–30 solidly matters more than rushing through all 52. Use the checklist to track real mastery — read, spell, and write — not just recognition.
Should I use Dolch or Fry sight word lists?
Both are excellent. Dolch lists are organized by grade, which makes them easy to match to a child's level — that is why these checklists use Dolch. Fry lists are organized purely by frequency across 1,000 words. If your school uses Fry, you can type any Fry list into the blank checklist preset.