Some public domain story websites are great for 1st graders. For example, Project Gutenberg has a selection of children's stories that are free. Although not all are specifically aimed at 1st graders, you can find some simple and interesting ones. Also, look for educational blogs dedicated to early childhood education. They sometimes post free printable and online stories for young kids.
One place is 'Sesame Street Workshop'. They have some free online stories that are suitable for 1st graders. These stories often feature the beloved Sesame Street characters which kids are familiar with and love.
One way is to use storytelling games. For example, have them create a story using some given elements like a hero and a problem. This helps them understand how different parts come together.
First graders can use details in a story by noticing the characters. For example, they can say if a character is a boy or a girl, tall or short. They can also look at the setting, like whether the story takes place in a forest or a house. And they can talk about the things that happen in the story, like if the character found a treasure or made a new friend.
One benefit is that it helps them understand the story better. When they notice details like the character's feelings or the place where the story happens, they can follow the plot more easily.
There are many novels suitable for first graders, such as The Little Prince (by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry) and the Harry Potter series (by JK Rowling). These novels all had simple plots and interesting characters that could attract children's interest. In addition, these novels were also suitable for children to read and let them feel the joy of reading.
The book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' is often available online for free in some versions. It's a classic with simple text and beautiful illustrations that first graders will love.