Heart Word Heroes Lesson Plan Heart Word Heroes
1st Grade Literacy • 15 Minute Session
Tier 1
Learning Objective
Students will be able to confidently recognize, read, and correctly write the heart words: from, you, was, and are.
Why This Matters
Mastering these high-frequency, irregularly spelled words (heart words) is essential for developing strong early reading fluency and comprehension. Understanding them helps students decode texts more efficiently.
Quick Stats
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector
Markers or Pens
Heart Word Heroes Slides
Practice Worksheets
Teacher Prep
• Review the slide deck to familiarize yourself with the talking points.
Instructional Steps
1
Introduction & Warm-Up
2 min
Begin by asking students what they know about 'heart words' (words we need to learn by heart because they don't follow all the rules).
Introduce the day's heart words: from, you, was, are .
Use Slides 1-2 of the Slide Deck.
2
Direct Instruction & Guided Practice
8 min
Go through each heart word using the Slide Deck. For each word:
Display: Show the word clearly on the slide.Say & Spell: Say the word aloud and have students repeat it and spell it.Sentence: Use it in a sentence and have students think of their own.Tricky Part: Point out the specific letters students need to learn "by heart".Interact: Engage students with the questions/prompts on the slides.
3
Independent Practice
5 min
Distribute the Heart Word Practice Worksheet .
Demonstrate the instructions (writing, finding, and filling in blanks).
Circulate the room to provide support and corrective feedback.
Collect worksheets for review or assign as homework if time runs out.
Heart Word Heroes Slideshow Heart Word Heroes!
Words we learn by heart to become reading superheroes!
Welcome students and introduce the concept of heart words. Ask them what they think heart words are. Explain that some words don't follow all the spelling rules, so we have to learn them "by heart"!
What are Heart Words?
Words that don't always follow the rules.
Parts are "tricky" and we learn them "by heart"!
Knowing them helps us read super fast!
Explain what a heart word is using simple language. Emphasize that knowing these words helps them read faster and understand more. Ask for examples of heart words they might already know.
Heart Word:
Target 1/4
from
"We are from different towns."
Tricky Part: The 'o' says /uh/.
Introduce the word 'from'. Say it, spell it, use it in a sentence. Ask students to repeat. Point out the 'o' is the tricky part, as it makes a /uh/ sound instead of a long or short 'o'.
Heart Word:
Target 2/4
you
"Are you ready to learn?"
Tricky Part: The 'ou' says /oo/.
Introduce the word 'you'. Say it, spell it, use it in a sentence. Ask students to repeat. Point out the 'ou' as the tricky part, making the long 'u' sound.
Heart Word:
Target 3/4
was
"It was a sunny day."
Tricky Part: The 'a' says /uh/.
Introduce the word 'was'. Say it, spell it, use it in a sentence. Ask students to repeat. Highlight the 'a' as the tricky part, making an /uh/ sound.
Heart Word:
Target 4/4
are
"We are friends."
Tricky Part: The 'e' is silent!
Introduce the word 'are'. Say it, spell it, use it in a sentence. Ask students to repeat. Explain that the 'e' is silent and the 'a' says /ar/.
Let's Review Our Heart Words!
from
you
was
are
We are Heart Word Heroes!
Review all the heart words quickly. Ask students to say each word aloud as you click through them. Reinforce the idea of learning them by heart.
Time for Practice!
Now let's practice our new heart words on our worksheet!
Explain that students will now practice these words on their worksheet. Remind them to think about the tricky parts.
Heart Word Heroes Worksheet Heart Word Heroes
First Grade Literacy Mission
Name:
Date:
1
from
1. Write the word three times:
2. Fill in the missing letters:
fr_m
3. Circle the word "from":
I am from a small town. We got a gift from our aunt. She is from another class.
4. Complete the sentence:
The letter came my friend.
2
you
1. Write the word three times:
2. Fill in the missing letters:
y_u
3. Circle the word "you":
Are you going to play? I hope you have fun. Can you help me?
4. Complete the sentence:
I like .
Page 1 of 2
Heart Word Heroes Cont.
Name:
3
was
1. Write the word three times:
2. Fill in the missing letters:
w_s
3. Circle the word "was":
It was a great day. My dog was sleeping. He was very happy.
4. Complete the sentence:
She at the park yesterday.
4
are
1. Write the word three times:
2. Fill in the missing letters:
a_e
3. Circle the word "are":
We are going to the store. How old are you? They are playing outside.
4. Complete the sentence:
Where my shoes?
Great job, Heart Word Hero!
Page 2 of 2
Heart Word Heroes Answer Key Answer Key
Heart Word Heroes Worksheet
Teacher Resource
Word 1: from
2. Missing Letter: o (from)
3. Finding: Students should circle 3 instances of "from".
4. Blank: The letter came from my friend.
Word 2: you
2. Missing Letter: o (you)
3. Finding: Students should circle 3 instances of "you".
4. Blank: I like you.
Word 3: was
2. Missing Letter: a (was)
3. Finding: Students should circle 3 instances of "was".
4. Blank: She was at the park yesterday.
Word 4: are
2. Missing Letter: r (are)
3. Finding: Students should circle 3 instances of "are".
4. Blank: Where are my shoes?
HERO TIP
When reviewing the missing letters, encourage students to tap their hearts as they say the "tricky" part of each word!
