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First grade is a year of important new experiences for students and teachers alike. Some students will arrive knowing how to read, others will know a few letters of the alphabet, and most will be somewhere in between.

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Diane Lapp, EdD, is Distinguished Professor of Education in the Department of Teacher Education at San Diego State University. She has taught elementary, middle, and high school and serves as Director of Learning at Health Sciences High and Middle College. Her research and instruction focus on issues related to struggling readers and writers who live in economically deprived urban settings, and their families and teachers. Widely published, Dr. Lapp has received the Outstanding Teacher Educator of the Year Award from the International Literacy Association, among other honors, and is a member of both the International Reading Hall of Fame and the California Reading Hall of Fame.

James Flood, PhD, is Distinguished Research Professor of Language and Literacy at San Diego State University (SDSU); has taught in preschool, elementary, and secondary schools; and has been a language arts supervisor and vice principal. He was a Fulbright scholar at the University of Lisbon in Portugal and the President of the National Reading Conference. Dr. Flood has chaired and cochaired many committees of the International Reading Association (IRA), National Council of Teachers of English, National Council of Researchers in English, and National Reading Conference. Currently Dr. Flood teaches graduate courses at SDSU. He has coauthored and edited many articles, columns, handbooks, and children's materials on reading and language arts. The recipient of many awards for his teaching and research, Dr. Flood is the coeditor of The California Reader and a member of the board of directors of the IRA.

Kelly Moore, PhD, is a literacy resource teacher in the San Diego Unified School District, where she teaches at a large urban elementary school that has formed a unique collaboration with a middle school, high school, and San Diego State University. Within this partnership, Dr. Moore collaborates with teachers from all grade levels on literacy staff development, preservice education, and beginning teacher support. Her primary interest is the assessment/n-/instruction connection in early literacy classrooms. Her recently completed dissertation focused on teachers' effectiveness at planning diagnostic instruction. She was awarded the Constance McCullough Research Award by the California Reading Association for this study. Through her continued research, writing, and teaching, Dr. Moore hopes to promote teacher education and future research in the area of early literacy.

Maria Nichols, MA, is a literacy staff developer in the San Diego Unified School District. An elementary school teacher for 16 years and a National Board Certified teacher, Ms. Nichols now supports teachers at all grade levels in urban elementary schools as they strengthen their content knowledge and instructional practice. She has worked as a demonstration and resource teacher in an elementary professional development site and has led workshops nationwide on literacy content and instruction. Ms. Nichols received the Outstanding Achievement in Literacy Award from the Greater San Diego Reading Council of the California Reading Association in 1998 and the Distinguished Elementary Educator of 2002 Award from the San Diego Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa. Her current focus is on classroom environments and instructional design that encourage students of all ages to use talk as a tool for developing comprehension.

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teaching literacy in first grade (tools for teaching literacy)

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education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

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education/teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

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language arts & disciplines / reading skills

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teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

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tools for teaching literacy series; arts; assessment; childhood; classrooms; cooperative; curriculum; differentiated; early; education; elementary; english; environment; family; first; fluency; grades; instructional; language; learners; lessons; literacy; management; methods; oral; parents; plans; primary; programs; reading; schools; standards; students; study; teachers; teaching; word; writing

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education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

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education/teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

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language arts & disciplines / reading skills

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
teaching methods & materials - reading & phonics

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Teaching Literacy in First Grade (Tools for Teaching Literacy)

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Amazon.com: Teaching Literacy in First Grade (Tools for Teaching Literacy) (9781593851811): Lapp, Diane, Flood, James, Johnson, Kelly, Nichols, Maria: Books

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This printable letter is a nice way to send home some quick tips to your students' parents. Parents are very motivated to help their children with their home reading but don't always know exactly what to do to help.

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This printable letter is a nice way to send home some quick tips to your students' parents.
Parents are very motivated to help their children with their home reading but don't always know exactly what to do to help.

This letter includes tips for the following:
- integrating reading in our daily family activities
- choosing appropriate books
- tips for helping beginning readers
- practicing fluency
& developing comprehension skills!

Feel free to print this letter and send it home with YOUR students!

Thanks for visiting my store,
Valerie

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This printable letter is a nice way to send home some quick tips to your students' parents. Parents are very motivated to help their children with their home reading but don't always know exactly what to do to help. This letter includes tips for the following: - integrating reading in our daily f...

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Reading Tips for Parents of First Graders

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Reading Tips for Parents of First Graders

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Give your child lots of opportunities to read aloud. Inspire your young reader to practice every day! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

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Reading Tips for Parents of First Graders

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Give your child lots of opportunities to read aloud. Inspire your young reader to practice every day! The tips below offer some fun ways you can help your child become a happy and confident reader. Try a new tip each week. See what works best for your child.

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Literacy Toolboxes: An Easy Approach to Literacy Manipulatives

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Literacy Toolboxes: An Easy Approach to Literacy Manipulatives

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Having a safe way for each kid to have their literacy manipulatives is easily done with a literacy toolbox.

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As we approach a new year of learning that is filled with so much uncertainty, one thing we can be certain of is the need for literacy instruction. No matter if you are meeting in person or virtually, your small groups will need their literacy tools at their fingertips. Having a safe way for each kid to have their literacy manipulatives is easily done with a literacy toolbox.

Let's take a look at how to build a literacy toolbox for our little learners and see what you might find inside one!

Literacy Toolbox Container

You can use many different things for the container. I used a nylon pencil pouch, but you could also use a supply box. Both can be easily wiped down and maybe even put in the dishwasher or washing machine!

Literacy Manipulatives to Include

Inside the toolbox, I put all the things that we typically needed during guided reading time.

You can also include things students might need during literacy stations to help make them a bit safer. And friends, because I wanted to make this as EASY as possible for you to recreate, I put all of this in ONE simple download for my email list friends!

No matter what the fall looks like for you and your students, having a literacy toolbox with manipulatives for each little reader will be super helpful! Think about what your students would need at the guided reading table, during literacy stations, and at home for literacy instruction.

You can have it ready to go in their backpack, in their desk at school, or for them to take home and keep as you do guided reading via distance learning.

What would you add to the toolbox? Let me know in the comments!

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Literacy Toolboxes: An Easy Approach to Literacy Manipulatives

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As we approach a new year of learning that is filled with so much uncertainty, one thing we can be certain of is the need for literacy instruction. No matter if you are meeting in person or virtually, your small groups will need their literacy tools at their fingertips.

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All students that learn to read begin with the same basic fundamental skills. Students learn to identify upper and lowercase letters, learn letter sounds, and how the letter arrangement or letter order forms words. Students then progress to learning print awareness skills such as to begin reading at the top of a page, and read to the bottom.  Knowing to read words from left to right is print awareness too.

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Learn to Read | Phonics for Kids | ELA Lessons for Kindergarten & Grade 1 | Kids Academy

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Reading Comprehension, Grade 1 Deluxe Edition

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Reading Comprehension, Grade 1 Deluxe Edition

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This Reading Activities 1-2 workbook helps children learn to read fluently and with good comprehension. This workbook builds important reading skills and strengthens comprehension with carefully crafted stories probing questions interesting illustrations.

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This Reading Activities 1-2 workbook helps children learn to read fluently and with good comprehension. This workbook builds important reading skills and strengthens comprehension with carefully crafted stories probing questions interesting illustrations.

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Reading Comprehension, Grade 1 Deluxe Edition|Paperback

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This Reading Activities 1-2 workbook helps children learn to read fluently and with good comprehension. This workbook builds important reading skills and strengthens comprehension with carefully crafted stories probing questions interesting illustrations.

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The Zonderkidz I Can Read! Literacy Program is a four-year program geared for students who are new or reluctant readers, with book topics appropriate for upper preschool through third grade. Based on leveled reading books from the faith-based Zonderkidz I Can Read! series, students gain a love for reading while learning positive behaviors and increasing their self-confidence and leadership skills.

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The Zonderkidz I Can Read! Literacy Program is a four-year program geared for students who are new or reluctant readers, with book topics appropriate for upper preschool through third grade. Based on leveled reading books from the faith-based Zonderkidz I Can Read!

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Comprehension: Activities for Your First Grader

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Comprehension: Activities for Your First Grader

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First graders are learning to think actively as they read. They use their experiences and knowledge of the world, vocabulary, a growing understanding how language works, and reading strategies to make sense of what they're reading.

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First graders are quickly developing impressive skills as active readers! Here are some of the things your first grader can do:

Independently read and retell familiar stories.

Notice when a text doesn't make sense, and begins to use strategies such as rereading, predicting, and questioning to understand it.

Read and understand fiction and nonfiction and know the difference between made-up stories and facts.

Predict what will happen next in stories.

Think about and share prior knowledge before reading a nonfiction book.

Discusses how, why, and what-if questions in sharing nonfiction texts.

Answer simple written comprehension questions.

Here are some basic things you can do to boost your child's comprehension skills:
Just 15 minutes each day makes a big difference! Although your first grader may be reading independently, reading aloud allows you to introduce your child to more sophisticated vocabulary and stories, including chapter books. It's also one of the best ways to help children learn about the world and make connections between their own lives and what's in the book - and that helps children see the world with empathy. And last but not least, it's a wonderful time to snuggle up with your child and share the experience of reading and discovery together.

Remember that reading together should spark curiosity, joy, and a desire to explore and learn. Conversations about books should be enjoyable, and not a set of quizzes and questions. As you try some of the activities listed below, remember to keep it light and lively for your child.

Sharing family stories out loud and listening to audiobooks are wonderful ways to expose your child to language, how stories are built, and knowledge about the world.

There are so many great nonfiction and informational books for very young kids (such as the popular DK Eyewitness series and National Geographic series). Try to include some of these during your next trip to the public library. Children love learning about the real world and are proud to share what they know!

Even a walk around the neighborhood or a trip to the grocery store can be a rich learning experience for young children. On a walk, your child may watch what's going on at a construction site, and then be able to connect it to stories about building and the big machines that make it happen - bulldozers, cranes, cement mixers, and more. These personal connections help children connect what they read with what they know - a powerful way to build comprehension skills!

Try these comprehension activities at home

"I predict ..."

When you sit down for a read aloud, look at the book's cover together. Ask, "What do you think this book might be about? Why? Can you make some predictions?" Guide your child through the pages, discuss the pictures, and brainstorm what might happen in the story. Talk about any personal experiences your child may have that relate to the story.

Five-finger retell

After reading a story together, have your child tell you five things about the story, using her fingers to talk about each one:

1. Characters: who was in the story?

2. Setting: where did the story take place?

3. Events: what happened in the story?

4. End: how did the story end?

5. Favorite character or part of the story

Active reading

Model active reading when you read with your child. Talk about what's happening as you're reading. Stop and discuss any interesting or tricky vocabulary words. Help your child make pictures of the story in his mind. Ask your child, "What just happened here? How do you think that character feels? Have you ever felt like that? What do you think will happen next?" Not only will this develop your child's comprehension, but critical thinking skills as well.

Mind movies

When you come to a descriptive passage in a book, have your child close her eyes and create a mental movie of the scene. Encourage her to use all five senses. Read the passage over together, looking for details that bring the scene to life. Ask questions like, "How do you know it was a hot day? Which words help you understand that the child was lonely?"

Tell me about it

After a read aloud, one of the best and easiest ways to check for understanding is to ask your child to summarize what the book was about in their own words. You can ask a question or two to help your child clarify her thinking or to add more detail.

Think alouds

Connect the book to your child's own life experience. For example, A River Dream: "This book reminds me of the time my father took me fishing. Do you remember the time we went fishing?"

Connect the book to other books they have read. For example, Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters: "This story reminds me of Cinderella. Both stories are about sisters. Do you know any other stories about nice and mean sisters? Let's keep reading to find out other ways the stories are similar."

Connect the book to big ideas/lessons. For example, Stellaluna: "This story helps me understand that we are all the same in many ways, but it's our differences that make us special."

Wordless

Wordless picture books provide your child with practice using clues to create meaning. There are no wrong stories with wordless picture books, only variations based on what the "reader" sees and puts together. Rosie's Walk, Good Dog, Carl, and Beaver Is Lost are all interesting and fun wordless picture books to explore. Find more wordless books on BookFinder.

Map this book!

Draw a map of the book's setting, and be sure to include the places where the main action happens!

Beginning-middle-end

This is a great way to see if your child understands the main parts of a story. After reading a book together, give your child three sheets of paper, with "beginning" on one sheet, "middle" on the second sheet, and "end" on the third sheet. Ask your child to think about the three parts of the story, and then draw what happened on each on the sheets. Arrange the sheets in order, left to right. What happens if you re-arrange the sheets? Does the story still make sense?

Words, words, words

Be sure to include books with rich vocabulary in your read alouds and call attention to interesting words and phrases from the story. This may include repeated phrases or idioms (such as "get cold feet" or "I'm all ears"). Offer a kid-friendly definition and connect the new word or phrase to something your child already knows.Talk about how the author used language or words to make the text interesting, informative, funny, or sad.

Illustrated timelines

After reading a story, have your child create an illustrated timeline of events from the story. Tape together five sheets of paper along the 8-1/2-inch side to create one very wide sheet that is 55 inches X 8-1/2 inches. To help plan the timeline, your child can add numbers that mark important points of the story. Then it's time to fill in the sequence of events with words and pictures. Once the timeline is complete, ask your child to re-tell the story - acting it out is okay, too! Variation: Create the timeline using Post-Its on a wall or outside using sidewalk chalk.

Talk show

Set up a talk show set with two chairs facing each other. If you like, make two microphones out of paper tubes or other craft supplies. You are the host and your child is a character from the book. Ask questions about the character, such as who you are, why you are important to the story, what happened to you in the story, what is the craziest interaction you had with another character, etc. Then switch roles!

Book trailer

Using a cell phone camera or other recording device, make a short video of your child talking about about why he recommends this book. Encourage your child to show the book cover and some of the inside pages when talking about a certain character or action sequence. Share the book trailer with family and friends!

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Comprehension: Activities for Your First Grader

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First graders are quickly developing impressive skills as active readers! Here are some of the things your first grader can do: Independently read and retell familiar stories. Notice when a text doesn't make sense, and begins to use strategies such as rereading, predicting, and questioning to understand it.

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Does your 1st grader show understanding like this?

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Does your 1st grader show understanding like this?

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Watch this video to help determine if your 1st grader shows understanding when reading.

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Does your 1st grader show understanding like this? - Milestones from GreatSchools

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Review reading and writing curricula for first grade, learn what to expect, and discover the books and activities you can use to support learning.

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Review general curricula for first grade, what to expect for each subject, and activities that can be done at home to support learning in the classroom.