High-Frequency Words

High-Frequency Words (HFW) are the words that appear most often in reading and writing. In 3rd grade, learning these words is very important because it helps children read more fluently and with better understanding. When students know their high-frequency words automatically, they can focus on comprehending the story instead of stopping to sound out every word. By practicing these words at school and at home, children build confidence, speed, and accuracy in both reading and writing.

Organized by Recognition Pattern

 

Pattern Type & Words

Visual (High-frequency irregular sight words) about, myself, never, only, together

Orthographic (consistent spelling patterns) clean, carry, light, small, start (similar vowel-consonant patterns)

Auditory (sound-focused decoding)bring, drink, cut, fall, keep, pick, show, try, warm (focus on sound-letter links)

Combination (blend visual, auditory & orthographic) better, draw, eight, full, grow, hold, long, much, seven, shall, six, ten, today, kind, hot, far, hurt

 

🌟 3rd Grade High-Frequency Words Organized by Phonemic Patterns

CVC Words (Consonant-Vowel-Consonant)

  • cut, hot

Rhyming Families

  • -all: small, fall

  • -ow: grow, show

  • -ight: light, might (light is on the list, adding rhyme extension helps build families)

  • -eep: keep

  • -own/own-like: own

Words with Blends or Digraphs

  • bring, clean, draw, drink, start

Words with Long Vowel Patterns

  • Long a: today, carry

  • Long e: keep, clean

  • Long i: kind, light

  • Long o: grow, show, own

  • Long u: much

R-Controlled Vowels (ar, er, ir, ur, or)

  • far, better, carry, hurt

Irregular/Visual Words (must be memorized by sight)

  • about, better, done, eight, full, laugh, myself, never, only, together

Number Words

  • six, seven, ten

Suggestions for Learning at Home

Here are three fun and effective strategies parents can use to help children learn to read and write these words at home:

Word Wall Practice
Have your child add each new word to a designated “word wall” at home. Arrange them by color or pattern.  Ask your child to read a few daily as part of their routine, building both recognition and confidence

Multisensory Writing Activities
Encourage your child to write words using playful methods—like tracing them in shaving cream, finger painting, or patting them out with clay letters. These motor and visual experiences help reinforce spelling and familiarity.

Flash Games with Context
Create simple flashcards using the words. Play matching games (word to picture), “write it from memory,” or “use it in a sentence.” Mix auditory practice—like clapping syllables or blending sounds—with visual review to reinforce learning