2nd Grade Sight Words (List, Flash Cards, Printable)
By second grade most children read the early sight words easily, and the work moves to longer, less regular words: always, because, been, which, would, write. This page gives you two lists many classrooms use at this stage: the 46 Dolch second grade words and Fry words 101 to 200. Switch between them below and practice with flash cards, a quick find-the-word game or printable cards.
2nd grade sight words
2nd grade sight word lists
Dolch 2nd grade(46 words)
- always
- around
- because
- been
- before
- best
- both
- buy
- call
- cold
- does
- don't
- fast
- first
- five
- found
- gave
- goes
- green
- its
- made
- many
- off
- or
- pull
- read
- right
- sing
- sit
- sleep
- tell
- their
- these
- those
- upon
- us
- use
- very
- wash
- which
- why
- wish
- work
- would
- write
- your
Fry words 101–200(100 words)
- over
- new
- sound
- take
- only
- little
- work
- know
- place
- years
- live
- me
- back
- give
- most
- very
- after
- things
- our
- just
- name
- good
- sentence
- man
- think
- say
- great
- where
- help
- through
- much
- before
- line
- right
- too
- means
- old
- any
- same
- tell
- boy
- follow
- came
- want
- show
- also
- around
- form
- three
- small
- set
- put
- end
- does
- another
- well
- large
- must
- big
- even
- such
- because
- turn
- here
- why
- ask
- went
- men
- read
- need
- land
- different
- home
- us
- move
- try
- kind
- hand
- picture
- again
- change
- off
- play
- spell
- air
- away
- animal
- house
- point
- page
- letter
- mother
- answer
- found
- study
- still
- learn
- should
- America
- world
Print 2nd grade sight word cards
Two lists, one goal
The Dolch second grade list is short and full of everyday words that glue sentences together. Fry 101 to 200 is the second hundred most frequent words in reading, so it overlaps with Dolch and adds new ones.
A practical order: finish the 46 Dolch words first, then move to Fry 101 to 200. If a few earlier words are still shaky, a quick pass through Dolch first grade often fills the gaps.
Why these words feel harder
Several second grade words break the patterns children have learned: because, does, been, their, would. Others look almost the same as a different word, like were and where, or their and there.
Two things help. Name the odd part out loud ("does sounds like duz"). And group words that share a shape, such as would and could, so one tricky spelling unlocks two words.
A weekly plan for a 7- or 8-year-old
- Monday: pick 5 to 8 words your child does not read instantly yet.
- Every day: five minutes of flash cards on those words only.
- Midweek: a round of find the word, where look-alikes sit side by side.
- Thursday: say a sentence out loud using each word, then find it in a book.
- Friday: a quick check. Known words move to a review pile.
Reading first, spelling later
Second graders are often asked to spell these words too. Reading usually comes first and spelling takes longer, so do not worry if your child reads because easily but still writes it three different ways.
When you are ready to work on spelling, paste the words into spelling practice for games and a typed practice test. Words are read aloud by your device's built-in voice, when it has one.
Frequently asked questions
How many sight words should a second grader know?
Goals vary by school. A useful check: can your child quickly read all the Dolch words up to second grade? If so, move on to Fry 101 to 200 and beyond.
My child reads the words on cards but stumbles in books. Why?
Words on a card are alone; in a book they come with other words and a story. Practice reading each word in a short sentence, and point it out when it shows up in a book.
Should a second grader still do flash cards?
Briefly, and only for the words that are still tricky. Most reading time at this age is best spent in real books.
What comes after Fry 200?
Continue with Fry 201 to 300. Many of the later Fry words can be sounded out with phonics, so progress often speeds up.
Can I print these words?
Yes. Print flash cards 8 to a page, or a worksheet with trace-and-write and missing letters, as a PDF made in your browser.