Reading is one of the most important skills a child can learn. Various methods have been used by teachers and parents over the years, but sight words, and sight word activities, have remained a constant. Because of that, you have probably heard your child’s teacher mention the Dolch sight word lists.
The Dolch word list, which has been around for over 60 years, is still used by many elementary schools today. These sight word flash cards can help you help your child at home.
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Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards
The Dolch word list was created by Edward William Dolch in 1936 and first published in 1948. It includes 220 words that have been determined to be a necessary part of reading fluency.
The words are divided into grade levels, based on the grade when they should be memorized. Remember, this was determined over 60 years ago and your child’s school may be using them differently!
The Dolch swords are traditionally considered “sight words” (words that need to be memorized on sight), but many of them can actually be easily read phonetically (or “sounded out”). Either way, chances are your child will need to be familiar with these words.
What You Will Need
- Printer Paper (and a printer)
- Laminator
- Laminating Pouches (Laminating is optional, but it does make the flash cards more durable.)
- Scissors
There is a flash card printable set for each level. They are different colors, to help you keep them organized.
Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards
- Pre-Primer Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards – Red Set
- Primer Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards – Orange Set
- First Grade Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards – Yellow Set
- Second Grade Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards – Green Set
- Third Grade Dolch Sight Word Flash Cards – Blue Set
To download any of these printables, simply click on the links above.
Please remember that, by downloading any printable, you are agreeing to abide by my Terms of Use. Thank you for visiting!
Katie says
April 30, 2019 at 8:06 pmAre there lists for high grade levels? 4th, 5th, 6th, etc.
Cindy Howell says
May 1, 2019 at 11:55 amNo, there aren’t any traditional Dolch lists for the upper grades.
Liz says
April 29, 2019 at 11:16 pmOMG!!! thank you. I realize this takes time but it is SOOOOO wonderful to see such work be shared for FREE.
Cindy Howell says
April 30, 2019 at 12:46 pmYou are very welcome!
Christina says
March 22, 2019 at 1:45 pmOmg Thank you for this so much needed an helpful!!!!! OXOX
Cindy Howell says
March 22, 2019 at 2:11 pmYou are so welcome! I hope they are helpful.
Aida says
March 19, 2019 at 5:08 pmThank you for providing this free resource. It is such a time saver.
Cindy Howell says
March 20, 2019 at 2:29 pmYou’re very welcome! I hope you find it useful.
Holly says
January 27, 2019 at 6:10 pmThank you so much for making these available for free. As a grandmother raising her 1st grade granddaughter these are exactly what I was looking for. The color coding is perfect and doesn’t use a lot of ink. With very limited resources but determined to help my granddaughter these are a lifesaver. There are so many grandparents in this situation and any help we can get is so helpful It’s been a long time since we’ve been in school as have our children. I’ll be looking for more of your wonderful work. Thank you again.
Cindy Howell says
January 28, 2019 at 12:14 pmYou are so welcome!!! I plan on adding a lot more free educational printables very soon.
gabriela says
September 14, 2018 at 1:09 pmthanks for this it will be a good help for my girls
Julie says
August 29, 2018 at 1:36 pmThank you for sharing these free sight words. My son is enjoying them while learning.
Cindy Howell says
August 29, 2018 at 2:01 pmYou are so welcome!
Susan says
May 12, 2017 at 5:05 pmThis is just amazing!! Thank you so much for your effort and created them, and most important, sharing them!! They have been of such much help. Seriously, can’t thank you enough!
Cindy Howell says
May 13, 2017 at 2:32 pmYou are very welcome!!!
Nelia says
May 3, 2017 at 2:34 pmThank you for making these sight words available for free.
Cindy Howell says
May 6, 2017 at 10:40 amYou are very welcome! I hope you find them helpful.
Angel says
February 22, 2017 at 1:23 pmI like them