A multitude of websites offer free stories geared towards first graders. Some websites, like Internet4Classrooms.com, allow students to practice their phonics and other reading skills right on their computer screens or with print-outs of downloadable files. In some cases, children’s stories on the Internet are available with interactive features. PBS Kids has a free website where first graders can use a story generator to create and share their own stories. Children can also find motivation by reading from an archived collection of stories written by other first graders.
Children don’t have to commit to an entire story in order to benefit from the free reading resources on the Internet. Many education-related websites feature printable worksheets meant to help first graders practice their reading comprehension. Worksheets usually feature simple mini-stories written for the appropriate grade level, as well as questions based on the passage. The K12Reader website offers a number of printable worksheets that focus on different types of word families, such as words that end in the letters “at.”
Some websites offer free interactive reading games based on a first grade reading level. Though some of these games – like those offered by the website Zoodles – may first require the installation of a free “player” program, many online reading games can be played automatically through a compatible Internet browser, like the games available on ABCYa.com. Games usually focus on specific concepts important to first grade reading, such as spelling and matching letters to sounds.
For parents and teachers looking either to assess a student’s reading ability, or to simply give them some extra practice, there are a number of free Internet resources that offer online and printable tests focused on first grade reading skills. Complete answer keys and scoring guidelines are usually provided, and in some cases the website will score the test immediately after completion. Pearson Education offers a number of such quizzes through its website.