NLS Framework for teaching

High frequency words for word recognition YR to Y2

Introduction

The words below are essential high frequency words which pupils will need, even to tackle very simple texts. These words usually play an important part in holding together the general coherence of texts and early familiarity with them will help pupils get pace and accuracy into their reading at an early stage. Some of these words have irregular or difficult spellings and, because they often play an important grammatical part, they are hard to predict from the surrounding text.

Teachers should teach pupils to recognise the words in context when reading, particularly during shared text work with the whole class, but the words will also need to be reinforced through other practice and exploration activities so that they can be easily read out of context as well. Through this, pupils will have a number of key reference points to hold together the structure of new or unfamiliar texts.

The list is in two sections with 45 words to be achieved by the end of YR and approximately 150 words to be learned between Years 1 and 2. These lists should be used as an aide-memoire to help teachers check that the work has been covered and to ensure that all are adequately reinforced. By the end of Y2, pupils should be able to read all these words easily, in and out of context.

Reception year

I go come went up you day was

look are the of we this dog me

like going big she and they my see

on away mum it at play no yes

for a dad can he am all

is cat get said to in

Year 1 to 2

about can't her many over then who

after could here may people there will

again did him more push these with

an do his much pull three would

another don't home must put time your

as dig house name ran too

back door how new saw took

ball down if next school tree

be first jump night seen two

because from just not should us

bed girl last now sister very

been good laugh off so want

boy got little old some water

brother had live(d) once take way

but half love one than were

by has made or that what

call(ed) have make our their when

came help man out them where

Plus

days of the week
months of the year
numbers to twenty
common colour words
pupil's name and address
name and address of school