Reading Comprehension Tests for First Grade

Usually during kindergarten or first grade, students will start reading in the classroom. However, teachers also want to ensure that the students know what they are reading; therefore, distributing quizzes and reading comprehension tests is an important part of the curriculum.

First Grade Reading Comprehension Tests

Some of the following links will take you to worksheets. However, at the first grade level, it would be fine to use them as examinations. You could also tweek them to make them a bit more "test" like. Combine a couple of them to create a longer exam or cut out questions if you feel like there is too much included on the worksheet:

• A ball for my dog 
• The early bird catches the worm (maybe) 
• Apples, apples
• Max the dog 
• Dan does tricks 
• The missing pencil 
• The farmer's great day 
• Black cat, tan cat
• Frog on a log 
• Cat and mouse
• Ken's messy room 
• Aunt Lee's pets 
• Buzz, buzz bumblebee
• Cody's rock 
• Saturday with Grandpa 
• How they grow 
• It is time 
• Sports
• I can go 

Make Your Own Reading Comprehension Tests

Ready made worksheets and tests are not always going to suit the unique needs of your first grade classroom. When there comes a time that you need to create your own reading comprehension test, read through these tips and techniques to help you out.

• Create a theme for the test. As you can see from the links above, having a strong central focus for the sheet is quite popular. Youngsters respond well to animals, holidays, and so forth, because they are both interested in the subject matter and it has some sort of connection to their own lives.
• Prepare the students for the test. There is quite a strong chance that these students have never taken a test before, and they might be overwhelmed by the thought of having to do so. Go through several reading comprehension worksheets in class with them, so that they know exactly what to expect.
• Mix up the type of questions. They should not all be summary questions that ask the student to regurgitate the facts. You can ask questions that focus on a very basic analysis or ones that ask the students to make inferences about the subject matter.
• Include some illustrations on the test. They might serve to give students some basic clues about the answers to the questions or they might simply be for fun, decorative purposes.

As with any type of activity, lesson, or examination in the classroom, you need to always evaluate the specific needs of your students. For example, if you teach two first grade classes, and one is much more advanced than the other one, consider coming up with two different tests so that both groups of students are challenged within their abilities.