Fundations Grade 1 Trick Words (Freebie)!
Grab this FREE set cards for Fundations grade 1 trick words! Each card includes a level 1 trick word with the number of each unit it corresponds to in the lower left-hand corner.
Why Fundations Grade 1 Trick Words Matter
If you’re teaching Fundations Grade 1 trick words, you know that repeated exposure is one of the best ways to help students develop automaticity. Trick words don’t always follow regular phonics patterns, so students need frequent opportunities to see, read, write, and use them in authentic ways.
That’s why an interactive word wall can become one of the most valuable tools in your classroom. Instead of simply decorating your walls, your word wall becomes a resource students reference throughout the day while reading, writing, and spelling.
This free printable set of Fundations Grade 1 trick words includes all 92 Level 1 trick words with each unit clearly labeled, making it easy to stay organized as you introduce new words throughout the year.
Why Fundations Grade 1 Trick Words Matter
Unlike decodable words that students can sound out using phonics patterns, trick words contain one or more parts that students must learn by memory. Teaching these words alongside your Fundations phonics lessons helps students become more fluent readers and confident writers.
As students master more trick words, they spend less time stopping to decode common words and more time focusing on comprehension and writing complete sentences.
Providing daily opportunities to practice these words helps strengthen long-term retention and builds confidence during independent reading and writing activities.
What Is a Word Wall?
A word wall is a dedicated space in your classroom where high-frequency words remain visible for students throughout the school year.
I use this free set to create an interactive word wall for my first graders. My students refer to it every day while reading independently, completing writing assignments, and checking the spelling of familiar words.
Instead of asking how to spell a word, students quickly learn to use the word wall as a classroom resource. Over time, they begin locating words independently without needing reminders.
The goal is for the word wall to become part of your daily classroom routine rather than simply another classroom decoration.
What’s Included in This Free Resource?
This printable resource includes every Fundations Grade 1 trick word students learn throughout Level 1 instruction.
| Resource | Benefit |
|---|---|
| All 92 Fundations Grade 1 trick words | Complete coverage of Level 1 instruction |
| Unit numbers on every card | Easy organization throughout the year |
| Large, easy-to-read cards | Perfect for classroom display |
| Print-and-go format | Minimal teacher preparation |
| Great for interactive word walls | Encourages independent word reference |
How to Create a Fundations Word Wall
Creating an effective word wall doesn’t have to be complicated.
Start by choosing a location that is easy for students to see from anywhere in the classroom. Your word wall should also be close enough that students can walk over and reference it during independent work.
Many of my students regularly get out of their seats to double-check the spelling of a trick word before continuing their writing. That independence is exactly what you want to encourage.
I recommend organizing the cards alphabetically rather than by unit. This helps students quickly locate words while reinforcing alphabetical order and dictionary skills.
Because each card includes its corresponding unit number, you’ll still know exactly when each word should be introduced during your Fundations lessons.
Make Your Word Wall Part of Daily Instruction
The most effective word walls are the ones students actually use.
As you introduce each new set of Fundations Grade 1 trick words, add them to the display immediately. Refer to the wall often during shared writing, modeled writing, interactive writing, and phonics instruction.
When a student asks how to spell a word that already appears on the wall, gently encourage them to check the word wall first.
With consistent practice, students begin using it automatically.
You’ll also notice that students naturally begin reading the words while lining up, transitioning between activities, or waiting for directions. Those extra moments of repeated exposure add up over time.
More Ways to Practice Trick Words
A classroom word wall is only one piece of helping students master trick words.
Students benefit from seeing the same words in multiple contexts throughout the week. Reading them, writing them, building them with magnetic letters, tracing them, and using them in sentences all strengthen long-term retention.
The more opportunities students have to interact with the words, the more automatic their recognition becomes.
Why Teachers Love This Free Resource
Teachers appreciate resources that save time while supporting meaningful instruction.
Because every Fundations Grade 1 trick word is already organized and labeled by unit, there’s no need to create your own cards or search for missing words.
Simply print the cards on cardstock, laminate them for durability, and add each new unit as your students progress through the year.
The result is a classroom resource you’ll use every single day.
Looking for More Fundations Grade 1 Trick Word Activities?
Once your students become familiar with the classroom word wall, they’re ready for additional practice that reinforces the same words in engaging ways.
Interactive games, sentence-building activities, literacy centers, handwriting practice, and independent review all provide valuable opportunities to strengthen recognition and spelling of Fundations Grade 1 trick words.
Using multiple practice formats helps students move beyond memorization and begin using trick words naturally in their everyday reading and writing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Fundations Grade 1 trick words?
Fundations Grade 1 trick words are high-frequency words taught during Level 1 instruction that contain one or more irregular spelling patterns. Students learn these words through repeated practice and direct instruction because they cannot always be fully decoded using phonics rules.
How many Fundations Grade 1 trick words are included?
This free resource includes all 92 Fundations Grade 1 trick words, organized with unit numbers so teachers can introduce them alongside the Fundations scope and sequence.
Should I organize my word wall by unit or alphabetically?
Most teachers find that organizing the cards alphabetically makes it easier for students to locate words independently. Since each card includes its Fundations unit number, you can still introduce words according to your phonics lessons.
How often should students use the word wall?
Students should use the word wall every day during reading and writing instruction. The more frequently students reference the words, the more quickly they develop automatic recognition and accurate spelling.
Can I laminate the cards?
Yes! Printing the cards on cardstock and laminating them helps them last for multiple school years while keeping your classroom display looking neat and organized.
Download Your Free Fundations Grade 1 Trick Words Today
Building strong readers starts with giving students the tools they need every day.
This free printable set of Fundations Grade 1 trick words makes it easy to create an interactive classroom word wall that supports reading, writing, spelling, and independent learning throughout the school year.
Print, laminate, and display the cards as you introduce each unit. Before long, your students will be confidently using the word wall on their own while mastering the trick words they need for success in first grade.
Note: Fundations® is a registered trademark of Wilson Language Training. This resource is independently created, is not affiliated with or endorsed by Wilson Language Training, and is designed to complement Fundations instruction.
Download Fundations Trick Word Cards Below!
