App
Reading Eggs
$13.99/mo(0)
Dolch sight words list and assessment
Assessment checklist sight word worksheet, All 220 Dolch service words · 13 pages
Explore reading programs
See all reading programs →Compare listed prices and grade ranges. Save favorites on this device; directory inclusion does not imply funding approval. Confirm current prices and availability with the provider.
Edward Dolch built his list from the words that appeared most often in children's books of the 1930s. It has 220 "service words" in five levels (pre-primer 40, primer 52, first grade 41, second grade 46, third grade 41) plus a separate list of 95 nouns. This page prints all 220 service words two ways: a large-print reading card your child reads from, and a teacher record sheet with three columns for three dated tries.
Test in a quiet moment and give about three seconds per word: a word your child has to sound out slowly isn't a sight word yet. Mark misses, practice those for a few weeks, and retest in the next column so you can see progress. Each level below has its own list, worksheets and flash cards.
Tips for using it
- Test one level at a time for younger kids. Switch Word list to a single Dolch level for a shorter card.
- Write what your child said for a miss (wnet for went). The error shows whether it's a reading or attention issue.
Variations
All sight words listQuestions
How many Dolch sight words are there?
There are 315 in total: 220 service words in five levels and 95 nouns. The service words are pre-primer (40), primer (52), first grade (41), second grade (46) and third grade (41).
How do you assess Dolch sight words?
Show one word at a time and count a word as known if your child reads it correctly within about three seconds. Record misses, reteach them, and retest a few weeks later on the same sheet.
Are Dolch words still used?
Yes. Many schools and reading programs still use the Dolch levels, often alongside phonics. The nouns list feels dated (kitty, Santa Claus), so some teachers skip it or use it only for early readers.