Phonics Picnic

Word lists

Little Wandle tricky words

8 half terms

Tricky words by half term, Reception and Year 1.

Reception

4 half terms
  1. is, I, the3 words
  2. put, pull, full, as, and, has, his and 12 more19 words
  3. was, you, they, my, by, all, are, sure8 words
  4. said, so, have, like, some, come, love and 11 more18 words

Year 1

4 half terms
  1. their, people, oh, your, ask, could, would and 6 more13 words
  2. any, many, again, who, whole, where, two and 7 more14 words
  3. once, laugh, because, eye4 words
  4. busy, beautiful, pretty, hour, move, shoe, improve, parents8 words

All of them

1 half terms
  1. All 87 words87 words

A row is a half term that brings in tricky words, and opens them in its order. Half terms follow Little Wandle's free programme overview for Reception and Year 1 (June 2025).

Phonics Picnic is original work, lined up with the teaching order of Little Wandle Letters and Sounds Revised. It is not made or endorsed by, or connected with, the Wandle Learning Trust; the half terms are here only to help you find your place.