Where can I get a KS1/Reception 'word list', the ones they should know?

[miljee]

Just had a fairly disastrous Year 1 parents eve, sigh. SO I figure we need to do some more stuff at home as, unfortunately, our education system waits for no man, especially a rather immature 5 year old! I would like to know where I can access a list of which words a child SHOULD know by sight by the end of Rec, year 1 etc according to the NC? Don't worry, we won't be rote learning them for an hour every night, but I do need to see exactly where DS is in relation to where they'd like him to be! Thanks

reception high frequency words

They should have told you where he is in relation to everyone else - they test them informally against the high frequency words quite often in most schools. But he's only 5 - maybe he's not ready yet? My ds - also 5 has suddenly in the last week or so done a huge leap forward and is actually reading a little - as opposed to taking wild guesses from the picture and collapsing in hysterical laughter when he gets it wrong. Quote from our parents evening - "Patrick could achieve So much if he would only focus!" I don't think 5 year olds do focussing!

Thanks! I don't know where DS is in relation to the other Yr 1 kids- except 'behind'! The teacher seems to think it's a confidence issue- he does sort of know stuff he just will not 'have a go' as he's scared of getting things wrong. What I want to do is to do some 'home work' with him to try and get him up to speed on the key words which might encourage him to have a go at some more 'advanced stuff'.

You can also get the words (fridge magnet style!) from GLTC. Bit pricey but will do for subsequent kids too. Look under Literacy.

Can do a link if necc.

wilkinsons do the fridge magnets for £2.99
will do a link for you for a place that does them for £3.99

frdige magnets

only bigger wilkos stores do them though

The firdge magnets are the only way I can pin ds1 down to learn the words.....we have invented all sorts of games using them....
he will not sit down to look at them but will happily stand at the fridge making sentences for 10 minutes at a time

Poor kid, to be told he is behind at just 5! It does seem a bit a of cruel world when you consider he is a year younger than the oldest year 1s.

Have you got a copy of the Jolly phonics hand book? The Jolly Phonics Handbook has lists of Tricky words and words for practicing blending. It also has suggestions for games to make the whole learning to read thing more fun.

Most the high frequency words are phonetic. If you make sure he knows all of the 44 letter sounds and can blend there are only about 10 words that he has to learn by rote and even then there arent many worlds that are totally non phonetic. Jolly Learning have also produced a DVD with inky the mouse and a Jolly Songs DVD to help a child learn the letter sounds.

You little boy is lucky to have such a caring mother.

Actually, I don't think you can be behind at 5. I think at that age they are developing at such different speeds in different areas that you can't really say "this is what they should be doing" Or if you do, the band would have to be so broad that it would be effectively meaningless. Is he reading and writing at all, Miljee? Maybe it would be helpful to find some books on subjects that interest him? My ds's new found (and probably temporary)interest in reading was sparked by his desire to read the mindnumbing facts onShootout cards. The sooner the better, say I, then I will never have to read one aloud again!

Letterbox do KS1 and KS2 key words, quite reasonably priced and available on-line. I also found that using the foam letters in the bath (you can get these from Tesco in the kids toiletries section) are a fun way of helping my DS to learn her key words. Poor kids.....so much pressure!

I am sorry but seeing all this 'XX is behind becasue they do not know their key words' really makes me angry.

Who says these particular words are so important - you can't make much of a sentence out of just those words. It is the ability to work out what words are, the speaking vocabulary that will aid their reading once they can sound out and instilling a real thirst for knowledge that will stand our kids in good stead later, not some meaningless group of 'key' words.

And as for being labelled 'behind' at 5 when he is one of the youngest is ridiculous.

I hope you feel better soon miljee and please whatever you do with your ds, make it fun!

Thanks everyone! All input gratefully received! I agree totally that 'where your child should be at' is an artificial construct- and of course, there is that healthy debate about whether they should be sight learning whole words at all or whether it should ALL be phonics (the school does a bit of both with a fair degree of success). TBH DS and I sat in his bed this evening, as per usual and he read both his books to me, admittedly without much 'conviction' BUT he has been on the same level for almost 2 terms now so I guess the school isn't seeing much progress. And in common with most kids, I just KNOW that if he were in a class of 5 kids instead of 21 (yes, I know I'm lucky in that respect!) ie with someone over his shoulder the whole time, much more progress would be in evidence! I'd really like to have been able to repeat reception but it SO isn't 'done' here! Talk about instant labelling! And to be fair to the teacher, she didn't actually use the word 'behind' but it was somewhat implied!!

have found my ds1 (in Reception) quite likes the Star Words game on the Words & Pictures website. It's all to do with recognising the shape of words rather than being an obvious test, so goes down well in our house. And you can use the control panel to choose which high-frequency words to play with.

Was going to post the same question, but spotted this thread... does anyone have any recommended games to play to teach these words?

Reception words

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 and 2 words

after would too
could an back
here do door
may his how
people much new
there pull saw
will three took
again would ball
did another down
his don?t if
more home next
push must school
these put tree
with time be
an your first
do as jump
his dig night
much house seen
pull name two
three ran
because had came
from live help
just lived man
not once out
should take them
use way where
bed but girl
half last love
now one sister
than very were
been by good
has laugh made
off or so
that want what
boy call got
called little have
old make some
our water their
brother when

Thanks Twiglett - what to do with them that's fun for the child?

Thegames that work depend so much on the child. My ds likes doing things against the clock - but dd would have dissolved into helpless tears if I had suggested anything like that to her. I remember making cards with two of each word and playing Pairs with dd.
Bribery works well with ds too - you have to find something he really really wants and agree how many stamps in a book, or stickers or marbles in a jar or whatever he needs to get to earn the shoot out cards or whatever it is he wants.
My dd wanted to learn to read because she wanted to read stories. Ds couldn't care less and needs an outside incentive. Sorry that I'm rambling I've had some wine on a weeknight. Disaster!