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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Let Me Persuade You - Persuasive Writing Activity
Use this persuasive writing prompt to encourage younger students to persuade readers to buy their lunchbox design.
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First, Then, Finally Sort and Writing Template
Help your students sequence ideas for a narrative story with these narrative element prompts and a First Then Finally Writing Template.
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Lunar New Year Red Envelopes – Printable Template
Celebrate with Lunar New Year Red Envelopes using this simple PDF craft template designed for elementary classrooms. Just download, print, and create.
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Character Emotion Wheel Pack
Help students explore how language can be used to present characters in different ways with this set of character emotion wheel templates.
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2nd Grade Narrative Writing Assessment Pack
Help students nail narrative writing with this scaffolded zoo adventure narrative writing assessment pack.
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Time-Lapse Observation Charts for Science Inquiry
Track scientific changes over time with a set of printable Time Lapse Observation Charts.
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How Things Move Worksheet Pack
Download our ‘How Things Move’ Worksheet Pack to boost science inquiry skills and encourage your students to explore force and motion.
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Character Description – Text Analysis Worksheets
Teach character description with this set of four worksheets that help students explore how authors use the STEAL technique to bring characters to life.
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Paralympic Activities Mats
Bring the excitement of the Paralympics into the classroom with this set of Paralympic activities mats for elementary school students.
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Letter Recognition Worksheet Pack
Use this set of Alphabet Letter Recognition Worksheets to help students recognize, name, and identify both uppercase and lowercase.
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Spring Has Sprung Word Search Puzzles
Slide into a Spring with a pair of differentiated ‘Spring Has Sprung’ Word Search Puzzles.
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Letter Sound Sort - Gingerbread Man Activity
Supplement your Christmas literacy centers with a fun gingerbread-themed letter sound sort.
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Candy Cane Grams Template Pack
Start up an easy Christmas fundraiser with our Printable Candy Cane Grams Template Pack.
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Parts of a Book Poster
Discover the parts of a book and understand the conventions of print with this classroom poster.
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Turkey Feather Template Pack
Download a Turkey Feather Template pack to use as a launching pad for all sorts of Thanksgiving and turkey-related classroom activities.
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Order of Adjectives Chart
Use this order of adjectives chart to explain the sequence that must be followed when adding adjectives to a noun to create a noun group.
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Life’s a Puzzle - Pledge to Be Drug Free Activity Template
Promote drug-free habits with a printable Life is a Puzzle, Solve It Drug Free Pledge Activity Template.
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Comparing Texts on the Same Topic Worksheet
Explore the purpose of poem texts and report texts with clear guidance that helps students' interpretive skills.
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Printable Play Money - US Paper Money & Coins
Add a real-world touch to your classroom lessons with a set of printable play money for kids!
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Google Slides Meet the Teacher Slideshow Template
Use this editable back to school Google Slides template for your Meet the Teacher or Back-to-School Parent Information event!
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All About Me Collage Templates
Create an All About Me Collage to get to know your new students at the beginning of the school year.
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Counting On Game
Engage your students with this fun and colorful counting on game that gives your students practice with the “counting on” addition strategy.
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Tessellating Shapes Worksheet Set
Download this tessellating shapes worksheet set to introduce your students to the beauty of tesselations.
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Making Connections Worksheet Set
Allow your students to record their connections to a particular text with this Making Connections Worksheet set.
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Picture Story Sequencing Worksheets
Help your students build strong visual literacy skills with these Picture Story Sequencing cut and paste worksheet pack.
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Natural Disasters Word Search
Use a Natural Disasters word search to introduce your students to the vocabulary surrounding these destructive acts of nature.
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My Identity Worksheet - Suitcase Template
Use this My Identity Worksheet to help students unpack who they are and what makes them special.
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Word of the Day - Tier 2 Vocabulary Words for 2nd Grade
Boost academic vocabulary skills with our Tier 2 Word of the Day Warmup Slide Deck featuring 2nd grade vocabulary words.
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Ten Frame Number Posters (0-20)
Decorate your classroom with our ten frame number posters that will delight your animal-loving students while providing concrete representations of the numbers 0-20.
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Input Output Table Games — Bingo
Play input output table games like this Bingo activity to gamify your math lessons for maximum engagement!
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Perpendicular and Parallel Lines Activity — Board Game
Play this perpendicular and parallel lines activity with your students to give them practice identifying line types in a variety of settings.
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Classifying 2 Dimensional Shapes Number Talk Task Cards
Spark discussion with these classifying 2 dimensional shapes number talk task cards