Fry Sight Words 1-10 Handwriting Workbook
Free printable Foundation handwriting resource
Fry sight words 1-10 begin the sequence while pupils practise forming each word in Foundation handwriting. The booklet moves from meaning and oral examples to grey tracing, dotted tracing and independent copying.
Preview what is inside
1 of 3
Use the arrows or dots to see the front cover, one glossary page and one handwriting sheet. The two inside-page previews are watermarked; download the PDF for clean printable pages.
If pupils need to revisit individual letter movements first, use Alphabet Letter Formation Worksheets A-Z. Compare words that require close spelling attention with Phonics Tricky Words Poster, then contrast these common words with the decodable patterns collected on CVC Word Families Poster.
About this Fry sight words 1-10
This opening workbook concentrates on the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that and it. These short words do important jobs in sentences, so the glossary gives each one a child-friendly explanation and an example before handwriting begins.
The two writing sheets divide the set into manageable groups of five. Pupils can attend closely to compact letter patterns, including the repeated tall strokes in the and that and the single-letter word a.
What is included?
- 10 words: the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it.
- 2 picture-glossary pages with meanings and example sentences.
- 2 handwriting sheets using grey models, dotted letters and independent copying space.
- 8 PDF pages in total: front cover, instructions, glossary, handwriting sheets and two terms pages.
How to use this Fry sight words 1-10
Read the first glossary page together and ask pupils to locate each target word in its example sentence. Model one word slowly, naming the starting point and checking that letters sit on the correct guides. Pupils then trace the grey models, follow the dotted versions and copy the black model independently.
Use the second word group in a later session. Finish by choosing two words, such as the and in, and building a short oral sentence that contains both.
Meanings in the Fry sight words 1-10 glossary
the
Meaning: Used before a particular person, place or thing.
Example: Please close the door.
of
Meaning: Shows that something belongs to or is connected with something.
Example: The handle of the cup is small.
and
Meaning: Joins words or ideas together.
Example: I have a pencil and paper.
a
Meaning: Used before one person, place or thing.
Example: I saw a bird outside.
to
Meaning: Shows direction or connects an action with another word.
Example: We walked to school.
in
Meaning: Inside a place or thing.
Example: The toy is in the box.
is
Meaning: Tells what someone or something is like or doing.
Example: The sun is bright.
you
Meaning: The person or people being spoken to.
Example: You can read this book.
that
Meaning: Points to a person, place, thing or idea.
Example: That tree is very tall.
it
Meaning: Refers to a thing or animal already mentioned.
Example: The ball rolled, and it stopped.
Teaching and follow-up ideas
- Highlight the target word inside each glossary sentence before writing it.
- Sort the ten words into one-letter, two-letter and longer words.
- Build a spoken sentence with the, a or it, then identify the target word.
- Cover the models and ask pupils to write one remembered word on a mini whiteboard.
Support and challenge
Begin with a, in, is and it so the amount of writing remains small. Let pupils say each word, trace it with a finger and then use a pencil. Draw attention to the tall letters in the, that and to without asking children to memorise the whole set at once.
For challenge, ask pupils to select two or three words and write a short sentence, checking spacing and capitalisation separately from letter formation.
Where this fits in learning
Use this set after pupils can form the letters in their own names and copy short models from left to right. It introduces positions 1-10 of the Fry list through handwriting, meaning and sentence context. Continue with the 11-20 workbook once these ten words can be read and copied with growing ease.
For Fry sight words 1-10, Because most words in this opening set contain useful sound-letter information, combine repeated writing with phonics rather than asking pupils to memorise ten whole shapes. This approach reflects the guidance on high-frequency words in the Department for Education reading framework.
Resource licence
Free for personal, homeschool or single-classroom use under the terms included in the PDF. Resale, redistribution and uploading the file to another website are not permitted.
Questions about this workbook
Which Fry sight words are included in positions 1-10?
the, of, and, a, to, in, is, you, that, it. Each word has a meaning, an example sentence and handwriting practice.
What is included in the downloadable PDF?
The eight-page PDF contains a cover, instructions, two glossary pages, two handwriting practice pages and two terms-of-use pages.
How does each handwriting activity work?
Pupils trace grey models, follow dotted letters and then copy the word independently on Foundation writing guides.
Should children memorise every word as an indivisible shape?
No. Use the glossary and sentences for meaning, draw attention to known letter-sound patterns and explicitly explain any less predictable spelling.
Can I print only one five-word practice page?
Yes. The two writing pages divide the ten words into groups of five, so teachers can select the group that matches current learning.
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