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The First 4,000 Words

The First 4,000 Words is an interactive web-based program used to teach the 4,000 most frequently used English words to English Language Learners and struggling readers in grades 1 through 4. This research-based and field-tested program helps students develop the necessary reading skills to succeed in school.

The entire system can be licensed by a school for $995.00 per year. Multiple year license options also are available. A site license for The First 4000 Words comes with access to the curriculum and administrative features via two websites:

The Vocabitat curriculum website allows students to progress through 355 lessons. Each lesson focuses on 10 words and guides the student through a series of activities ranging from Knowledge Tests to Shared Reading Experiences to fun Word Games.

The administrative website allows teachers and school administrators to manage and track the progress of the students.

Get the Full Story on The First 4,000 Words at Seward Reading Resources

Technical Requirements

LICENSE NOW or TRY A DEMO


Story Bundles

The Vocabitat's story bundles are downloadable PDFs written for various lexile reading levels. Each 30-page bundle includes:

  • 5-6 units from the curriculum
  • 5 stories per unit
  • A set of discussion questions
  • Illustrations used in the interactive program

Story bundles sell for $14.99 each.

Purchase Story Bundles


Vocabulary Tests

The First 4,000 Words’ Listening and Reading Vocabulary Tests enable you to quickly assess your students’ vocabularies prior to beginning The First 4,000 Words program.

  • Listening Vocabulary Test (40 test items)-use this test to assess your students' listening vocabularies prior to beginning the program. It is similar to the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, but it uses words from a list of the 4,000 most frequently used words in the English language.
  • Reading Vocabulary Test (40 test items)-use this test to assess your students' reading vocabularies prior to beginning the program. It is similar to the Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test, but it uses words from a list of the 4,000 most frequently used words in the English language.

Students who have difficulty on these tests compared to their peers may benefit from the vocabulary instruction in The First 4,000 Words program.

These paper tests are packaged in bundles of 25 reading tests, 25 listening tests, and one set of teacher instructions for $99 plus tax (if applicable) and shipping.

Purchase Vocabulary Tests


For information about The First 4,000 Words, contact us at seward@sewardinc.com.