Printable PDF Teaching Resources
Explore printable PDF worksheets, activities and thousands more teacher resources you can add to your lesson plans with just a few clicks — including free printables!
Thousands of Teach Starter's teacher-created resources are available in PDF file format, making it easy for any teacher to use anywhere — no matter what type of computer or software you have.
Curious about the advantages of PDF resources for teachers? Read on for a quick guide from our teacher team!
What Does PDF Stand For?
Before we dive into all the ways you can use a PDF in your classroom, it's worth looking at the meaning behind the acronym. PDF stands for "Portable Document Format."
It's a file format that was developed by the software company Adobe in the 1990s. The format was designed to protect the appearance and layout of documents across different platforms and devices.
That's exactly what makes it so easy for teachers to use. You can print a PDF worksheet on the school printer and send that same PDF via email to a student's parent, and the layout will remain exactly the same — even if you are using entirely different computers.
How Do I Open a PDF File From Teach Starter?
Most web browsers — like the one you're using right now to access our teacher resources — will allow you to open a PDF file directly in the browser.
What if you want to open the file without opening a browser? We suggest downloading Adobe's free Adobe Acrobat Reader software to easily display any PDF.
How Do I Print a PDF Document for My Students?
The ease of printing has made the PDF format a must for teacher resources, so how do you actually print your new worksheet or activity?
Simple!
- Open the PDF file in your browser or PDF viewer (like Adobe Acrobat Reader, mentioned above).
- Click on the "File" menu in the top-left corner.
- Select "Print" or use your keyboard shortcut "Ctrl + P" (Windows) or "Command + P" (Mac).
- In the print dialog box, choose your printer from the list.
- Adjust print settings like orientation, paper size and the number of copies you'll need for your students.
- Click "Print" to start printing.
Can I Edit a PDF File?
This is a common teacher question, and the answer is a bit complicated.
There's special software out there that will allow for some edits on a PDF, but you will typically need to have the original document to get the best results.
To make sure teachers can make the edits they need to adjust our resources for their lesson plans and their individual students, most Teach Starter resources are available in other (editable) formats, such as Google Slides!
- Free Plan
S.W.B.S.T. Summarizing Graphic Organizer
Use this printable SWBST strategy graphic organizer with students to write a summary for a fictional piece of text.
- Plus Plan
Collective Nouns Memory Game
Practice identifying collective nouns with a set of 30 match-up cards.
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Text Structures Sorting Activity
A set of 24 text structure cards to use in a sorting or scoot activity.
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Poetry Task Cards
A set of 20 task cards to practice different elements of peotry.
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What's the Theme? - Graphic Organizer
Outline and determine the theme of a text with this 1-page graphic organizer worksheet.
- Free Plan
Three Little Pigs Area Worksheet
A worksheet to practice finding area using square units.
- Free Plan
Free Desk Fairy Award
Reward students with a free printable desk fairy award this school year! This teacher-created resource motivates students to keep their desks clean.
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Find It! Noun Game
Practice recognizing and using nouns with this set of 5 game boards.
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Buoyancy Experiment – Sink or Swim
Use this practical buoyancy experiment when teaching your students about why some objects float in water while others sink.
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Sign Language Alphabet Poster
Display this poster in your classroom as a reminder of how to represent the letters of the alphabet when spelling words in ASL (American Sign Language).
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Revising Our Writing - Adding, Deleting, and Rearranging Worksheet
Practice revising writing by adding, deleting, and rearranging text for substance and clarity.
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Most Awesome Aunt Award
Acknowledge awesome aunts with this certificate.
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Most Magnificent Mom Award
Acknowledge magnificent moms with this certificate.
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Decimal War Card Game
Get your students comparing decimals with this fun card game for two players.
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One More, One Less - Worksheet
Practice foundational addition and subtraction facts using the concepts of one more and one less.
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Division with Models Worksheet
Complete 8 division word problems by representing dividends as numbers, pictures, and number sentences.
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Student of the Week Certificate – Upper Grades
Celebrate your Student of the Week student with this certificate for upper grade students.
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Color by 2-D Shape Worksheets
A set of five color by shape worksheets.
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Possessive Nouns Worksheets
Download these possessive nouns worksheets, a set of engaging activities designed to help students confidently identify, use and apply apostrophes of possession in their writing.
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Crazy Boxes – Multiplication Facts of 3
Create a color pattern using multiplication facts of 3 with this color by number worksheet.
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First But Not Last – Comprehension Task
An article about historic women paired with a comprehension task.
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Multiplication and Division Work Mat
Practice multiplication and division concepts with this work mat for students.
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Adjectives or BUST! Card Game
Play this engaging adjective identification card game with a small group of students or as a whole class.
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Fun Letter Ideas for Kids
Share fun letter ideas with your students using this engaging article featuring six creative tips to make personal letters more exciting and expressive!
- Free Plan
Rhyming Match Worksheet Pack
Identify rhyming words through images with this set of 5 worksheets.
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Positive Self-Talk Bookmark
A bookmark with positive self-talk affirmations.
- Free Plan
All About Rectangles Mini Booklet
A mini booklet to assist younger students in learning about rectangles.
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Springtime Blooms – Comprehension Task
An article about springtime blooms and festivals paired with a comprehension task.
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Chinese New Year - Rat Puppet Template
A fun template for students to make their own rat puppet.
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Decodable Text Worksheets – Set 2
A set of 10 decodable text worksheets for early readers.
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CVC Word Building Mats
A set of 25 word building mats using consonant-vowel-consonant (CVC) words.
- Free Plan
Financial Literacy Math Investigation – Pop–Up Shop on Wheels
A mathematics investigation involving financial literacy, embedded in a real-world context.