Back to School Must-Haves: Explore My School, Maps, and Culture!

As we step into August, it’s time to get classrooms ready for a brand-new school year—and what better way to kick off learning than with engaging resources that build community, spark curiosity about the world, and celebrate cultural heritage? I’m excited to share three of my newest back-to-school products designed especially for Pre-K through 2nd grade learners. These resources combine literacy, social studies, and hands-on fun to start the year strong!

My School and Community resource helps students feel connected and confident as they explore the people and places that make up their school and neighborhood. This resource includes:

A simple fact booklet introducing key community helpers and school staff

Comprehension questions and sentence sorting activities

A craft activity for students to design their own school or community building

A research form for beginning writers to draw and write about someone in their school

Perfect for classroom routines, social studies time, or center rotations!

My Maps and Globes builds geography foundations early with the engaging introduction to maps and globes! Whether you’re setting up your classroom map wall or diving into how to read symbols, this resource is a fun way to begin:

A fact booklet that explains basic map elements, such as compass rose, key, and globe features

Interactive activities like sentence sorts and map labeling

A creative craft where students make their own simple map

A research form that helps students learn about their place in the world

This is a great tool for teaching spatial awareness and visual literacy during those first few weeks.

Hispanic Heritage Month

Get ready to honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15–Oct. 15) with a resource that introduces young learners to the vibrant contributions of Hispanic cultures:

A fact booklet highlighting influential figures, traditions, and celebrations

Comprehension checks and sentence sorting to build understanding

A creative craft activity that lets students decorate a papel picado banner or cultural symbol.

A research form for exploring a famous Hispanic figure or country.

This is a great way to weave inclusion and diversity into your early-year curriculum in a meaningful, age-appropriate way.

Whether you’re building classroom community, helping students explore their place on the map, or celebrating cultural identity, these new back-to-school resources are designed to spark curiosity, support foundational learning, and keep little hands engaged. 

 Ready to explore? Check them out in my store and add them to your early-year toolkit! 

All products may be found in my store!

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher

Shark Week is Here!

Shark Week is more than just an exciting TV event — it’s a wonderful opportunity to bring the mystery and magic of the ocean into your classroom or learning space! Kids are naturally curious about sharks and ocean life, and this themed week is a perfect time to inspire them to read, draw, research, and create.

Whether you’re in summer school or just planning ahead for your ocean unit, I’ve got two great resources to help make Shark Week an unforgettable experience — plus five recommended shark books and a few hands-on activities that tie it all together.

Nothing hooks young learners like sharks! This black-and-white nonfiction booklet is ideal for pre-K and kindergarten students learning about ocean animals. Here’s what’s included:

A student-friendly informational reader about sharks (printable and numbered for ease!)

A note-taking worksheet to guide early research skills

A research form students can complete

A craft that helps bring learning to life

Use it for independent work, small group reading, or as part of a larger ocean unit.

 Bonus idea: Have students research their favorite shark fact and share it with the class on a "Shark Scientist" poster!

Take your ocean unit deeper with a bundle of 8 animal fact booklets PLUS a full set of directed drawing activities!

Animals included:

Shark

Jellyfish

Seahorse

Whale

Octopus

Dolphin

Starfish

Crab

Every animal booklet includes: Informational pages, research forms and note-taking worksheets, center activities, directed drawing pages to build confidence and creativity.

This bundle is great for differentiated learning, center rotations, or as part of a research project wall display. Here's another resource found in my store - How to Draw Ocean Animals. 

Add these picture books to your Shark Week read-alouds or classroom library:

"Clark the Shark" by Bruce Hale - A fun and relatable story about energy, self-control, and friendship.

"The Shark Book" by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page - A beautifully illustrated nonfiction book packed with facts.

"Shark Lady" by Jess Keating - A biography of Eugenie Clark, a scientist who defied stereotypes and studied sharks with love and respect.

"Smiley Shark" by Ruth Galloway - A sweet story about being yourself and finding your place in the ocean.

"If Sharks Disappeared" by Lily Williams - A simple but powerful introduction to ecosystems and the importance of sharks in ocean balance.

Shark Week Activity Ideas:

Here are some no-prep and low-prep ways to celebrate Shark Week:

 Shark Research Report – Use the fact booklet and let students draw and write about their favorite shark fact.

 Shark Craft & Ocean Bulletin Board – Display their crafts and facts with a “Swim into Shark Week!” theme.

 Directed Drawing Center – Set up a space where kids can choose their favorite ocean animal to draw and write about.

 Ocean Animal Match Game – Create simple picture-word cards to match animals with their names or facts.

 Shark Week Photo Booth – Let students pose with shark hats, ocean backdrops, and their completed crafts for a fun Shark Week memory.

Wrap-Up: Make a Splash with Learning!

Shark Week gives us the chance to spark curiosity, build early research skills, and have a little fun along the way. With resources like the Shark Fact Booklet and the How to Draw Ocean Animals bundle, you’ll have everything you need to immerse your students in joyful, hands-on learning all week long. 

Products may be found in my store.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher

Celebrate Cow Appreciation Day

Get ready to say moo! and celebrate one of the most beloved animals on the farm — the cow! Cow Appreciation Day (July 8) is the perfect opportunity to introduce young learners to farm animals through reading, drawing, writing, and hands-on fun.

This special day fits beautifully into a farm-themed unit, and I’m excited to share two of my favorite resources to help you bring cows to life in your classroom. Whether you’re exploring animal life cycles, where our food comes from, or just enjoying some barnyard fun, this blog post has everything you need to make the day memorable.

Curious little learners will love diving into this kid-friendly nonfiction booklet all about cows! It's ideal for early research projects or thematic animal studies in pre-K and kindergarten.

Here's what's included:

A black-and-white informational book about cows

A worksheet for note-taking

A research form for student responses

A fun cow craft to wrap up the learning

Whether used independently or in guided groups, students will gain a deeper understanding of cows while strengthening early literacy and research skills.

Ready for a farm art session? This engaging resource - How to Draw Farm Animals - allows students to draw and write about farm animals — from pigs to peacocks! With 3 levels of writing, it’s easy to differentiate and let every learner shine.

Animals included:

Cow 

Pig 

Sheep 

Duck, goat, chicken, donkey, alpaca, peacock, and horse

Directed drawing activities are great for:

Fine motor development

Listening and direction-following

Building writing confidence

Pair the cow drawing with your fact booklet for a creative literacy extension!

Here are some great read-alouds and classroom favorites to add to your Cow Appreciation Day celebration:

“Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type” by Doreen Cronin - A hilarious tale of farmyard rebellion and negotiation — always a hit!

“The Cow That Laid an Egg” by Andy Cutbill - A sweet and silly story about a cow learning self-worth and feeling special.

“Cows Can Moo! Can You?” by Bonnie Worth (Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library) - A fun and informative book with Dr. Seuss-style rhymes and facts about farm animals.

“Mrs. Wishy-Washy’s Farm” by Joy Cowley - Repetitive and engaging text makes this a read-aloud favorite for early learners.

Clayton the Energetic Cow by Daniel Green

  Clayton is a cow with boundless energy who learns that being different is a gift when he finds the perfect way to help others on the farm.

Make Cow Appreciation Day extra fun with these cow activities:

Cow Craft & Fact Display – Complete the fact booklet and attach the cow craft to a “We’re Wild About Cows!” wall display.

Farm Animal Directed Drawing – Let students choose their favorite farm animal to draw and write about, then share with the class.

Milk & Dairy Taste Test – Try cheese, yogurt, or different types of milk and chart the class favorites.

Cow Pattern Counting – Use black-and-white cow spots for patterning, sorting, or addition practice.

Moo-sical Chairs – A fun twist on musical chairs with cow-themed music or sound effects.

Cow Appreciation Day is more than just a celebration — it’s a chance to teach kids about farm animals, food sources, kindness to animals, and rural life. With your Cow Fact Booklet and How to Draw Farm Animals, you have everything you need to make the day educational, artistic, and just plain fun.

So grab your farmer hat, print those pages, and get ready to moo-ve into learning!

These resources may be found in my store: 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher

Celebrate America with July Products

July is the perfect time to dive into all things red, white, and blue! Whether you're teaching summer school, planning a patriotic unit, or just want to bring a little sparkle to your classroom or home activities, there are so many fun ways to explore the United States of America with young learners.

To make it easy and meaningful, I’m featuring two engaging resources that help kids learn about the USA through reading, drawing, and writing. Pair them with great read-aloud and hands-on activities for a well-rounded celebration!

Help your K–1 students explore the symbols, landmarks, and identity of the USA in a kid-friendly way! This black-and-white informational book can be used for:

 Independent reading or guided reading groups, simple country research projects, and cross-curricular connections to geography and culture. Each page is numbered for easy printing and student-friendly layout. There's also a create-your-own version so students can illustrate their own understanding — perfect for building ownership and creativity!

From the Statue of Liberty to a juicy hamburger, this drawing and writing pack turns patriotic learning into artful expression!

Students will enjoy step-by-step drawing activities paired with 3 levels of writing prompts, making it easy to differentiate. This set is great for:  Independence Day, art centers, sub plans or early finisher tasks, and creative writing lessons with a patriotic twist!

Some of the exciting USA-themed drawings include:

Uncle Sam, American Flag, White House, Apple pie,  Washington Monument, Fireworks…and more!

Here are five picture books to enrich your USA-themed learning:

“This Is America” by Don Robb - A visual introduction to U.S. symbols and what they mean.

“We Live Here Too! Kids Talk About Good Citizenship” by Nancy Loewen - Real-life stories from kids across the U.S. focusing on kindness, fairness, and community.

“F is for Flag” by Wendy Cheyette Lewison - A beginner-level nonfiction picture book that explains the flag’s meaning and role in American life.

“Apple Pie 4th of July” by Janet S. Wong- A delightful multicultural story that shows how families blend traditions while still celebrating America.

“The Scrambled States of America” by Laurie Keller- A hilarious, fictional take on all 50 states and how they work together — fun and educational!

Try these fun USA activities for July extension activities with your students:

1 Design a U.S. Landmark Poster – Students choose a famous landmark (like the White House or Golden Gate Bridge), research it, and create a mini-poster.

2 American Symbols Scavenger Hunt – Use your fact booklet to guide students as they look for symbols like eagles, flags, and more in books, signs, or magazines.

3 USA “I Spy” Drawing Page – Let students draw all the USA-themed items they can think of on one page (great warm-up for your directed drawing resource).

4 Patriotic Tastes Chart – Try apple pie, watermelon, and hot dogs and graph student favorites.

5 My Favorite American Symbol Writing – A simple prompt: “My favorite American symbol is ___ because ___.”

The month of July gives us a chance to not only celebrate the Fourth of July but also to teach students what makes America special — from its symbols and food to its values and diverse people. With your USA Fact Booklet and How to Draw the USA, you’re giving students the tools to read, write, and create in a way that sticks with them. 

These products may be found in my store:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher

Celebrate Rainforest Day – Explore, Learn, and Create!

June 22 is World Rainforest Day, and it’s the perfect moment to take your students on a vibrant learning adventure into one of the most vital and fascinating ecosystems on Earth. 

Rainforests are bursting with biodiversity, home to half of the world’s plant and animal species, and play a huge role in stabilizing Earth’s climate. Teaching kids about the rainforest helps them appreciate nature’s balance and the importance of protecting it.

That’s why I’ve created two cross-curricular rainforest-themed resources that blend science, art, and writing in a fun and engaging way:

Rainforest Fact Booklet

This printable booklet is packed with fun facts and hands-on activities designed for young learners (K–2). It helps children:

Learn about layers of the rainforest, unique plants and animals, and the critical role rainforests play in our planet’s health

Build reading and comprehension skills

Practice research and writing using a student-friendly research form

Engage in sentence sorting and complete a fun rainforest-themed craft

Perfect for independent work, sub days, or even a mini rainforest unit!

How to Draw Rainforest Animals

This step-by-step directed drawing activity features 15 rainforest animals, including the sloth, toucan, jaguar, tree frog, and more! Each drawing includes:

3 differentiated writing prompts per animal

Opportunities for kids to express creativity while building fine motor skills and listening comprehension

A perfect pairing with the Rainforest Fact Booklet for a well-rounded thematic study

5 Rainforest Books for K–2 Kids (Fiction & Nonfiction)

"The Great Kapok Tree" by Lynne Cherry (Fiction)A powerful, beautifully illustrated story that teaches about rainforest conservation and respect for nature.

"If I Ran the Rainforest" by Bonnie Worth (Nonfiction - Cat in the Hat Learning Library)A playful yet informative Seuss-style introduction to rainforest habitats.

"Over in the Jungle: A Rainforest Rhyme" by Marianne Berkes (Fiction - Counting & Rhythm)Engages young learners with counting, rhyme, and hidden rainforest animals.

Hello, World! Rainforest Animals" by Jill McDonald is a bright and engaging board book that introduces toddlers and preschoolers to rainforest creatures with simple facts and cheerful illustrations. It’s a perfect first nonfiction book to spark curiosity about nature and animal life in the jungle.

"Slowly, Slowly, Slowly," Said the Sloth by Eric Carle (Fiction)A gentle, thoughtful tale that celebrates the sloth and encourages appreciating the slower pace of nature.

Skill-Based Rainforest Activities

 Science – Rainforest Layers Flip Book

Have students label and illustrate the 4 layers of the rainforest (emergent, canopy, understory, forest floor). Use fun facts to describe animals that live in each layer.

 Art – Rainforest Animal Collage

Use tissue paper, construction paper, or magazine cutouts to create a colorful rainforest background. Add drawn or cut-out animals to their correct layer.

 Craft – Rainforest Diorama or Animal Mask

Let students build shoebox dioramas or create animal masks (toucan beaks, sloth faces, butterfly wings) to role-play and present what they've learned. 

Writing Prompt Ideas:

If I lived in the rainforest, I would...

My favorite rainforest animal is ...

How can we help protect the rainforest?

Rainforests are sometimes called the “lungs of the Earth” because they absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen. They help regulate Earth’s temperature, provide medicines and foods, offer homes to thousands of species, and 

influence rainfall and water cycles.

Teaching kids about rainforests isn’t just a science lesson—it’s a call to action. When children understand and care about nature, they grow into responsible stewards of the planet.

Whether you're teaching in the classroom or homeschooling, these resources make it easy to celebrate Rainforest Day with purpose and play!

Grab both the Rainforest Fact Booklet and How to Draw Rainforest Animals in my store to bring the jungle into your students' imaginations and hearts! 

Both resources may be found in my store: 

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher