School Zone - Big First Grade Workbook - 320 Pages, Ages 6 to 7, 1st Grade, Beginning Reading, Phonics, Spelling, Basic Math, Word Problems, Time, Money, and More (Series) - Softcover

For nearly 40 years, School Zone has helped make learning fun! Our research-based content, developed by leading educators, delivers award-winning, state-of-the-art products digital and print for individual learning styles and goals. Every product placed in a child's hands is brimming with color, content, and creativity. In every detail, innovation meets imagination and timeless tradition. In that same spirit, School Zone both embodies success and embraces possibility, stepping boldly into new media and platforms to connect with kids where they are. Parents appreciate the quality and attention to detail. The company continually updates materials with new features and content, reflective of changing standards, evolving teaching methods, and overall best practices. The result? Great learning at home and in the classroom.

Joan Hoffman, M.A., is the author and co-author of hundreds popular storybooks and workbooks for children. Among the titles are Peter’s Dream, I Don’t Like Peas, and The New Bike (the latter two published under the pen name Marie Vinje), the Get Ready for Preschool, Kindergarten, and First Grade workbook trio, along with the entire Get Ready, Little Thinker, I Know It!, Try-n-Spy, and Little Busy Book workbook series.

She is also co-founder, along with her late husband James Hoffman, Ph.D., of School Zone Publishing. Visionary in business, she has long looked at the world through a child’s eyes, infusing her stories and lessons with joy and relatability.

 As a mother of 4 back in the ‘70s, like moms the world over throughout history, she wanted what was best for her children. And she knew that teachers didn’t have the time to give her kids everything they needed. As an elementary school teacher, Hoffman worked hard to give her students what they needed to learn. And parents would ask her what they could do to help. That’s why she started School Zone—to help give children every possible chance to reach their potential. 

She brought retail experience gleaned from previously founding and managing two regional educational book and supply stores for teachers and parents. Her husband lent his blended talents of educator and entrepreneur. A professor of education who also had first-hand experience as an elementary teacher, he was involved in teacher education programs at several colleges and had served at the helm of a company that published classroom materials.

Combining rock-solid editorial judgment and creative instincts with a thorough understanding of early education, Joan Hoffman was an exemplary proponent of design thinking long before it became a conceptual label. An innovative problem-solver, she has always sought to reach out to end users and challenge convention. Separating fleeting trends from legitimate advances has been essential to her company’s longevity.

The results speak for themselves. With the next generation—both son Jonathan and daughter Jennifer—taking on creative and strategic leadership roles in the company their parents started, School Zone seamlessly integrated digital learning platforms. The company received Apple’s exclusive Human Interface Design Excellence Award for software development, and its apps were part of the first-generation iPad launch in 2010. School Zone’s flagship product, the Little Scholar Learning Tablet, has earned industry-wide recognition and awards, as has its online learning destination Anywhere Teacher. Inspired by mom’s story-telling excellence, son Jonathan continued that legacy with Charlie & Company, an original series for ages 3-7, available on Oznnoz, Kidoodle.tv, ToonGoggles, BatteryPop, Ameba, and Highbrow.

Joan Hoffman says, “It is incredibly rewarding to see the children and grandchildren of some of our original customers enjoying our ever-evolving books, apps, flash cards, games, music, and other products—both print and digital.” 

In 2019 School Zone celebrates its 40th anniversary, spanning portions of five decades and having sold more than 370 million educational products. Hoffman continues to be hands-on in the company, still writing, still envisioning, and still putting kids, parents, and teachers first.

About 7 months ago I got the first grade book because he was almost done with the kindergarten big book. I got him the preschool book at 3 yrs old which was his very first work book ever. I have gotten him quite a few of these books as well as the flash cards and one product after another he has just simply love them and he is able to follow the instructions and remember the material. I'll a homeschool Mom and I bought this books as a fun complementary fun part of my curriculum but now they've become a very essential part of my child's learning main focus. The books are fun and easy to follow and quite rich in content. My five year old child is functioning at a first grade level and he actually asks to get the book and do it on his own therefore I get one book for him to have and familiarize himself with its content a book for me to integrate into his everyday lesson plan. He also started the Big Spelling 1-3 book about 4 months ago and has less than 100 pages to go out of 320 pages. He is also working on the Big Math 1-2 workbook that he has been working on for about 10 months and to him it is like he playing since the book are so pleasing to the eye but he is learning at an extraordinary rate. --School Zone Website

I liked School Zone workbooks when I was a kid. I saw them at used book store and Dollar Tree so I got some of them. On Christmas day I saw that Walgreen had the big workbooks for 2/$12.99 or 1/$9.99 so I got one. I know my son is only three years old, but if I see it cheap now then I know he will have them when he is ready. --School Zone Website

My son is almost done with this book and it was so fun and easy to understand. He starts the 2nd grade book soon, so I will make sure to comment on that soon!!! Thank you for making this book and can't wait to get the third and fourth grade ones soon. --School Zone Website