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!
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Back to School STEM Challenge Cards for Years 1-3
Integrate STEM activities into your back-to-school plans by guiding pupils to create a picture frame, name tag and pencil cup.
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Reaction Charades
A fun game for students to explore positive and negative ways of reacting to situations.
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First Day of School Photo Props and Display
Celebrate going back to school with a printable photo props pack to be used in the classroom on the first day of the school year.
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Team Building Games – Key Stage 2
Encourage communication and cooperation with a set of 10 team building games.
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Search and Find – Back to School
Start the school year with a fun Back to School maths activity for Year 1 pupils.
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Brain Break Activity Cards
Give your pupils a quick brain break with this set of 19 whole-class games.
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Germ Busters – Code Cracking Game
Crack the code in this personal hygiene game.
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Back to School Chatterbox
Help make heading back to school a blast with this paper chatterbox template.
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Classroom Behaviour Discussion Cards
Encourage pupils to think about what a positive learning environment looks like, sounds like and feels like with this set of 10 discussion cards.
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Homework Information Sheet – Editable Template
Inform parents and caregivers of what homework will look like in your classroom with this editable template.
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Sticky Notes Template – To-Do Lists
Create custom to-do list sticky notes with this template.
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Let's Cooperate Code Cracker – Key Stage 1
A whole class game including a collection of 6 activities which students need to solve to reveal numbers to combine for a lock combination.
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Let's Cooperate Code Cracker - Upper KS2
A whole class game including a collection of 6 activities which students need to solve to reveal numbers to combine for a lock combination.
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Let's Cooperate Code Cracker - Lower KS2
A whole class game including a collection of 6 activities which students need to solve to reveal numbers to combine for a lock combination.
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Getting to Know My Classmates – QR Code Template
Use this template as a fun getting to know you activity using QR codes.
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Non-Contact Morning Greetings Poster Set
Non-contact greetings that students can do with their teachers and peers.
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Growth Mindset Vertical Chart With a Pirate Theme
Get your students reflecting on their learning progress with this vertical tracking chart.
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Are We There Yet? Captain Yet's Joyous Journey – Large Posters
Large Captain Yet posters to help students learn more resourcefully and independently in the classroom.
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'I'm a Reading Superhero' Wall Display
A superhero wall display for your library or reading area.
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Behaviour Stamp Card – Eye on the Prize!
Upgrade your behaviour management and motivate your students to keep their eye on the prize with this stamp card template.
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G.R.O.U.P.S - Group Work Expectations Poster
Encourage cooperative behaviour during group work activities with a printable group work mnemonic poster.
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Growth Mindset Reward Tags
Celebrate your primary pupils using a growth mindset with a set of printable growth mindset reward tags!
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Call and Response – Attention-Grabbing Phrase Cards
Display and use a variety of call and response phrases in your classroom with our printable attention-getter cards.
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There's No Better Day... Display
Practise social emotional skills in the classroom and beyond with this wall display.
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Sticky Notes Template – Days of the Week
Print on Post-It notes or sticky notes with this template that makes it a snap!
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Morning Greeting Display
Use this Morning Greetings Display to provide examples of how students may like to be greeted as they enter the classroom each morning.
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PRIDE Classroom Rules Poster Set
Set your expectations for classroom behaviour at the beginning of a school year with a set of printable classroom rule posters.
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Daily Weather Report – Interactive PowerPoint
This interactive weather activity will help you encourage pupils to become junior weather reporters!
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Group Work Role Cards for Science
Assign roles for group work in the science classroom with this set of 6 desk cards.
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Blurt Buttons - Classroom Management Strategy
Blurt Buttons are a great way to curb calling out in your classroom.
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Classroom Timetable Cards
Keep your students on track by choosing from 60 editable schedule cards to display in your classroom.
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Behaviour Stamp Card – Right on Target!
Motivate your students to be on target with this stamp card template.