Free Year 1 Handwriting: Common Words Worksheet
Children trace and copy twelve of the most common words in early readers (the, and, said, was, they, you, have, like, come, went, look, little), then write their name, copy a sentence and write a sentence of their own. These words appear constantly in Year 1 reading and writing, so practising them builds both neat handwriting and automatic spelling. A short daily session works better than one long one.
Instant download · No sign-up · Free for personal, classroom and homeschool use
- Year
- Year 1
- Subject
- English
- Topic
- Handwriting & Letter Formation
- Difficulty
- Getting started
- Estimated time
- 15 minutes
- Curriculum
- Australian Curriculum
- Questions
- 15
- Answers
- Included, with working
- Format
- PDF (A4) + print
Students will practise
- tracing high-frequency words
- copying words with consistent letter size
- writing their own name
- copying a sentence with spaces and a full stop
- writing a simple sentence independently
Curriculum: Australian Curriculum. We show specific outcome codes only where they have been verified against the official curriculum document.
What's next?
Completed: Handwriting: Common Words
Ready for more? Move on to Year 2 English.
How to use this worksheet
- Print the PDF or complete it on screen. Write the student's name and date at the top.
- Read the instructions for each part together before starting. Encourage working to be shown.
- Mark with the answer sheet. Use the model answers and success criteria as a guide rather than a single right answer.
- Record the score, celebrate what went well, then follow the "What's next" suggestion.
Common questions
Who is this worksheet for?
Year 1 students (typically ages 6–7) working on handwriting & letter formation. It is pitched at getting started.
Are the answers included?
Yes. The PDF includes a full answer sheet with model answers and success criteria where there is more than one good answer. You can also view the answers online.
How long does it take?
About 15 minutes for 15 questions. Short, regular sessions work best: two or three a week beats one long one.
Do I need to sign up to download?
No. Click Download Free PDF and it opens immediately. It is free for personal, classroom and homeschool use.
What should we do next?
Explore more Year 1 english resources.
Preview
Year 1 · English · Handwriting & Letter Formation
Handwriting: Common Words
Student name:
Date:
Trace the grey words first, then write them on your own. Sit your letters on the line.
Part A — Trace and write
Trace each grey word, then write it twice on your own. Keep your letters the same size.
Part B — Trace and write
Tall letters (h, k, l, t) reach the top line. Letters with tails (y, g) hang below.
Part C — Write on your own
Now write without tracing. Remember capital letters, finger spaces and full stops.
Preview — the PDF contains the full resource and answer sheet.
Handwriting & Letter Formation in other year levels
- Tracing Letters a–m
Worksheet · Kindergarten / Foundation · Handwriting & Letter Formation · Getting started
- Tracing Letters n–z
Worksheet · Kindergarten / Foundation · Handwriting & Letter Formation · Getting started
About this resource
- Created by
- Success Tutoring
- Last reviewed
- 1 October 2026
- How it was made
- Written by our team
Free to print and share for personal, classroom and homeschool use. Please don't resell. Spotted an error? Let us know.