Comprehensive Guide to Educational Freebies for Teachers in the United States

Educators across the United States have access to a wide array of free resources, materials, and programs designed to support classroom instruction and professional development. These offerings range from physical supplies and classroom kits to digital software, lesson plans, and educational media. The availability of these freebies often depends on the teacher's certification status, grade level, subject area, or specific program eligibility criteria. This article synthesizes information from various sources to provide a detailed overview of the types of educational freebies available to teachers, including how to access them and any associated requirements.

Classroom Kits and Physical Supplies

Several organizations and companies provide free classroom kits and physical supplies to certified educators. These kits are often designed for specific grade levels or subjects and can include items such as books, posters, activity sheets, and classroom tools.

Hot Wheels Classroom Kit: Offered every September to select certified educators, this kit is available for Kindergarten classes, 4th-grade classes, and STEM/STEAM educators. The kit includes up to 40 cars and tracks, along with pre-made lesson plans that teach physics concepts in simple, easy-to-understand terms.
Pearls in School Program: Managed by PearlOnly, this program provides free kits for science classes to educate children about pearl culturing and an oyster’s lifecycle. The "PearlKit" includes 30 packets with five pearls each, 30 care cards, and 30 certificates of accomplishment. While the kit is free, a shipping fee is required. The program offers individualized lesson plans for elementary, middle, and high schools in the US, United Kingdom, and Australia.
Bucky’s Classroom Kit: An initiative from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, this kit provides teachers with UW-Madison related items. The classroom supplies include pencils, posters, bookmarks, and stickers, along with free university giveaways for teachers.
Schoolmate Goodies Catalog: Schoolmate Goodies mails a free catalog to teachers, which includes samples such as planners, folders, or wall calendars.
EverWhiteboard Sample: EverWhite Surface offers a free whiteboard sample by mail for teachers. The sample is 6 inches wide by 9 inches tall and can be requested by completing a simple form on their website.
Mellow Monkey Masks: Mellow Monkey has automatically donated KN95 face masks to local teachers for every $100 in face mask sales. Teachers can also request a free KN95 mask directly from the company.
School Health Hand Sanitizer: SchoolHealth provides free hand sanitizer to teachers, who may also need to acquire several dispensers for the classroom.
Kids Need To Read Books: This organization offers free books for students of all ages. To qualify, the school must serve at least 50% of children living under the national poverty level.
United For Human Rights Info Kit: This kit is exclusively for teachers with students 18 years or older. It includes a "Story of Human Rights" booklet, an award-winning educational DVD, and an awareness and understanding of human rights guide. One kit per teacher is provided with free shipping.

Digital Software and Online Resources

Teachers can access a variety of free digital software and online resources to enhance classroom instruction and student learning.

Microsoft Software: Microsoft provides software like Office, Excel, and Minecraft for free to educators. A valid Office 365 account is required to sign up for these offerings.
Maplesoft Posters: Maplesoft offers free math and engineering posters for classrooms, which can be requested through their website.
Free Math Facts Songs & Activities: This online resource provides 15 songs, 12 coloring pages, and 8 activity sheets, all focused on math. These materials are designed to help students who are struggling with their math courses.
Dinosaur Train Education Resources: The PBS show "Dinosaur Train" offers educational resources, including a free "Dinosaur Train Nature Tracker Poster" that highlights the Pteranodon family. These resources are available for Kindergarten through third grade.
Admongo.gov Lesson Plan Packet: Developed by the Federal Trade Commission, this free lesson plan kit is intended for 5th and 6th-grade teachers. The kit includes lesson plans, worksheets, posters, and activities that meet national standards for language, art, and social studies.
Free NEA Lesson Plans: The National Education Association provides free lesson plans to teachers. These are regularly updated and include resources for topics such as Inauguration Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, reading support for parents, teaching about 9/11, and supporting English Language Learners.
PETA TeachKind Materials: PETA offers free teaching materials for teachers across America, covering various age-appropriate languages and images. Materials range from books to comics and free stickers. Teachers can select a primary school kit (K-5) or a secondary school kit (grades 6-12), and PETA will send materials for all the kids in the class.

Educational Media and Lesson Plans

A significant number of freebies consist of educational media and structured lesson plans from reputable organizations.

Teaching Tolerance Free Films: Teaching Tolerance provides free film kits for use in K–12 schools, schools of education, public libraries, houses of worship, and youth-serving nonprofit organizations. Current movies available include An Outrage, Viva La Causa, Starting Small, Selma Bridge to the Ballot, One Survivor Remembers, and Mighty Times The Children’s March. The organization offers more freebies beyond this list.
Pass It On Posters & DVD: Pass It On sends free posters and DVDs to schools or non-profit organizations. Teachers can request up to three posters with free shipping. The posters are in English, and the DVD is available in both English and Spanish.
Scholastic Magazine Free Trial: Scholastic offers a 30-day free trial for its educational magazines. No credit card is required to place an order. Available magazines include My Big World, Let’s Find Out, Scholastic News, StoryWorks, DynaMath, SuperScience, and Scholastic Art.
Stossel Free DVDs: Stossel In The Classroom sends free DVDs to schools each year upon request. Teachers can order a free 115-minute DVD covering segments on economics, journalism, environmental issues, and more, which is suitable for high school classes.

Professional Development and Wellness

Some freebies are focused on teacher wellness and professional development.

Happy Teacher Revolution Starter Pack: Created by TFA Baltimore alumna Danna Thomas, this free starter pack helps teachers implement self-care inside and outside the classroom. The kit has potential benefits for the teacher and those around them.
Free Country Music Hall of Fame Tickets: The Country Music Hall of Fame offers free admission for all Tennessee teachers planning a field trip. They also provide a 90-minute virtual field trip and webinar, along with helpful downloadable guides.

Eligibility and Access Considerations

Access to these freebies often involves specific eligibility requirements. For example, the Hot Wheels Classroom Kit is for select certified educators, while the Kids Need To Read program requires that the school serve a high percentage of children from low-income backgrounds. Some programs, like the United For Human Rights kit, have age restrictions for students. Many offers require teachers to complete an online request form, and some may involve shipping fees, such as the Pearls in School program. It is important for teachers to review the specific terms and conditions for each program to understand the requirements and limitations.

Conclusion

Teachers in the United States have access to a diverse ecosystem of free educational resources. From physical classroom supplies and kits to digital software, lesson plans, and professional development materials, these freebies can significantly support instructional goals and reduce out-of-pocket expenses. The availability of these resources varies by program, grade level, subject, and sometimes geographic location or school demographic. Educators are encouraged to explore the specific programs that align with their needs, carefully review eligibility criteria, and utilize the provided request forms to access these valuable materials for their classrooms and professional growth.