Educators seeking ready-to-use classroom materials can access a variety of free resources from the teacher-author brand "A Cupcake for the Teacher." These materials are available through the Teachers Pay Teachers platform and the brand's official website. The resources are designed to support elementary school teachers with activities for literacy, math, classroom management, and seasonal or thematic projects. All materials mentioned are digital downloads, provided at no cost to users who sign up for the platform or access the creator's blog.
Overview of Free Resources
The teacher-author behind "A Cupcake for the Teacher" is Teri, an elementary school educator from New Jersey. She creates and distributes classroom resources through her Teachers Pay Teachers store and her blog. Her goal is to provide "fun, engaging, and meaningful activities" for teachers, with a focus on K-2 students. The free resources available cover a range of subjects and classroom needs, including literacy, math, classroom management, and seasonal crafts.
Classroom Management Tools
Several free resources are designed to assist with classroom management. These tools help teachers maintain order, encourage participation, and manage student behavior during transitions, assemblies, or hallway movements.
- Secret Star: This is a classroom management tool intended to improve student behavior. The freebie includes a "Are You the Secret Star?" 5x7" sign, student labels, labels for "Secret Starbursts" and "Secret Star Prizes," and number circles from 1 to 48. The numbers are designed to be used with a 1" circle punch. The creator notes that this tool works well for hallway behavior, assembly behavior, and general classroom conduct.
- "Pick Me!" Piggies: To make student participation fun and fair, this resource uses rubber piggies labeled with student numbers. Teachers can select students at random by pulling a piggy from a container. The freebie includes labels for "Pick Me!" Piggies in pink or white and labels for "Pick Me!" Pigs in pink or white. The setup involves writing student numbers on small rubber piggies and placing them in a container with the provided label.
Seasonal and Thematic Activity Kits
The brand offers several free activity kits tied to seasonal holidays and themes. These kits often combine a craft activity with a writing prompt or a movement-based game.
- St. Patrick's Day Treasure Hunt: This freebie provides clue cards for a classroom treasure hunt set up by a leprechaun. The clues are hidden around the classroom, leading students to a "pot of gold" filled with St. Patrick's Day goodies. The kit includes gift ideas and tags for the prize basket. It is noted as a magical treasure hunt activity for students.
- Spring Bunny Egg Hunt: Similar to the St. Patrick's Day activity, this freebie offers clue cards for a "hoppin' egg hunt" set up by a little bunny. The hunt involves physical activities like jumping jacks and marching in place. The creator specifies that this activity is "NOT Easter specific... just bunny specific." The kit includes clues, prize ideas, and tags for a basket of spring goodies. It is designed for PreK through 3rd grade.
- St. Patrick's Day Craft and Writing: This free resource allows students to create a cute leprechaun craft and complete a writing activity. The kit includes craft patterns, pictures, directions, and two writing prompts: "I Feel Lucky When" and "If I Were a Leprechaun."
- Earth Day Craft: For Earth Day, students can create a heart-shaped Earth craft to show their love for the planet. The activity includes a writing prompt about ways to care for and protect the Earth.
Literacy and Writing Resources
Several free resources focus on developing literacy and writing skills. These materials include printable pages, prompts, and tools to inspire creativity.
- Writing Prompts and Pages: The brand provides free writing pages with primary and secondary lines, as well as a page without lines for younger students. One specific writing prompt is titled "Thank You, Hero!" with graphics for the police and fire department, offering six different writing options.
- Story Inspiration Cards: To inspire students and cure writer's block, this freebie includes 30 character cards, 30 setting cards, and 30 event cards. Students randomly select one card from each category to create a unique story. The kit also includes 8 write & wipe planning and writing pages, 14 planning and writing printables, a card keeper placemat, and character and setting record sheets.
- Adjectives Anchor Chart Kit: This DIY kit provides everything needed to create an adjectives anchor chart. It includes title cards and 10 posters in color and black and white, covering concepts like size, color, shape, quantity, and texture. Students can also use an included printable to come up with their own adjective examples.
Handwriting and Routine Reinforcement
Resources are also available to support handwriting practice and teach classroom routines.
- Classroom Numbers: A set of free classroom numbers from 1 to 100 is available, with pages that come with primary and secondary lines, as well as a page without lines for younger students.
- Hand Washing and Water Drinking Songs: Two songs are provided to teach hygiene and health routines. "Wash Your Hands" is sung to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" and reinforces hand washing with soap for 20 seconds. "Take a Sip of Water" is sung to the tune of "Frere Jacques" and teaches that sips from the water fountain should not be longer than 5 seconds.
Early Finisher Activities
To keep students who complete work early engaged, the brand offers a free set of activities. This resource includes 12 everyday activities (such as read, write, draw, organize your desk, help a friend, dry erase board, listening center, puzzle time, reading buddy, math practice, tech time, and catch up time) and 18 themed activities for the month of September. The activities are designed to keep an early finishers board fresh and interesting throughout the year.
Access and Eligibility
The free resources from "A Cupcake for the Teacher" are primarily distributed through two channels: the Teachers Pay Teachers platform and the brand's official blog.
Teachers Pay Teachers Platform
- Access Method: Users can access the free resources by visiting the "A Cupcake for the Teacher" store on the Teachers Pay Teachers website. The store has a dedicated "Free" category where all no-cost items are listed.
- Eligibility: Access is available to any user with a Teachers Pay Teachers account. Creating an account on the platform is typically free. Some resources may be available for immediate download after adding them to the cart, while others might require a review or rating process after use.
- Resource Details: The platform lists individual resources with their ratings, review counts, grade levels, and subject areas. For example, the "Spring Bunny Egg Hunt" is rated 4.8 out of 5 based on 63 reviews and is categorized for PreK through 3rd grade.
Brand Blog
- Access Method: The brand's official blog, "A Cupcake for the Teacher," also hosts free resources. Users can visit the blog to find articles, tips, and links to downloadable materials.
- Content: The blog shares classroom tips, teaching ideas, and sometimes provides direct links to free resources or instructions on how to access them. It serves as a hub for the creator's teaching philosophy and resource sharing.
- No Purchase Necessary: Both the Teachers Pay Teachers free category and the blog resources are available without requiring a purchase. They are intended as free tools to support teachers.
Types of Materials
All resources are digital files, typically in PDF format. They are designed for teachers to print and use in their classrooms. The materials include: * Printable worksheets and pages * Craft patterns and templates * Labels and signs * Game cards and clues * Anchor chart components
Conclusion
The brand "A Cupcake for the Teacher" offers a variety of free digital resources for elementary school educators. These materials cover classroom management, seasonal activities, literacy, writing, handwriting, and early finisher tasks. The resources are available through the Teachers Pay Teachers platform and the brand's blog, requiring no purchase for access. Teachers can find specific activities such as the "Secret Star" behavior tool, "Spring Bunny Egg Hunt," and "Adjectives Anchor Chart Kit" to enhance their classroom instruction and student engagement.