Free Educational Resources For Kindergarten And Early Elementary Classrooms

Keeping My Kinders Busy provides a comprehensive collection of free teaching materials designed specifically for kindergarten and early elementary education. These standards-based resources cover essential subject areas including mathematics, language arts, seasonal activities, assessment tools, and classroom organization materials. All materials are aligned with educational standards, including Common Core, and are suitable for various classroom settings including whole group instruction, small groups, independent work, and homework assignments. The free resources serve as previews of larger, comprehensive teaching units available through the provider's platforms.

Mathematics Resources

The provider offers several free mathematics resources focused on developing foundational skills in early elementary students. These materials include printable activities, centers, and worksheets that can be implemented in various classroom contexts.

Addition and Subtraction Activities Free centers, worksheets, and activities are available for teaching addition and subtraction to kindergarten students. These resources are described as "adorable" and suitable for whole group math lessons, math centers, independent work, small groups, and homework assignments. These free activities are part of a comprehensive, standards-based Kindergarten Addition and Subtraction Unit that includes additional resources such as assessments, interactive Google Slides, worksheets, math centers, no-prep hands-on activities, games, crafts, and more.

Measurement and Data Collection Another mathematics resource available is a collection of free centers, worksheets, and activities focused on measurement and data. These materials help students learn how to measure objects, collect and analyze data, create graphs, and use tally marks. The printables are suitable for whole group math lessons, math centers, independent work, small groups, or intervention purposes. These free activities are part of a comprehensive, standards-based Measurement and Data Math Unit that also includes assessments, interactive Google Slides, worksheets, math centers, and no-prep hands-on activities.

Counting and Number Recognition A free week of January seat work for kindergarten includes worksheets covering specific math and literacy skills. These materials are available in both English and Spanish and are aligned with state standards as well as Common Core standards. The activities are designed to serve as meaningful morning work that kindergarten students can complete independently.

Language Arts Resources

The provider offers a variety of free language arts resources focused on developing reading, writing, and phonics skills in kindergarten and first-grade students.

CVC Word Activities Several free resources focus on CVC (consonant-vowel-consonant) words. These include activities where students isolate, identify, and write missing first sounds for CVC words, as well as practice fluency with CVC and sight words using decodable sentences. Another CVC resource allows students to read and match CVC words with corresponding pictures, creating a "CVC quilt" as a finished product. This freebie specifically targets short a words and can be used as a whole group activity, in small groups, or at literacy centers. The provider also offers materials to help students isolate middle sounds in CVC words, with printables and activities designed to teach this skill in a hands-on way.

CVCe Word Activities For more advanced phonics instruction, the provider offers free activities focused on CVCe (consonant-vowel-consonant-silent e) patterns, also known as "SUPER E" words and sounds. These resources include worksheets, crosswords, reading passages, posters, and mini books targeting kindergarten and first-grade phonics standards. The materials work well for whole group activities, small group instruction, intervention, or literacy centers.

Reading Comprehension Reading comprehension resources include a ladybug-themed comprehension passage, build-a-sentence writing activity, mini readers, and incentive charts. This material serves as a one-week preview of a larger Read and Write Like a Rock Star monthly pack that includes four themes each month. Another reading comprehension resource focuses on nonfiction texts, with a free animal report kit about tigers that guides students through reading, note-taking, writing, and creating a book and craft. This kit uses a predictable format focusing on keywords: are, have, can, eat, live, and like.

Seasonal and Holiday Resources

The provider offers themed activities organized by seasons and holidays throughout the school year.

Valentine's Day Activities A free download includes three Valentine's Day themed activities for kindergarten or first-grade students. These include a heart cut-and-paste counting activity for numbers 1-20, a CVC word reading and matching activity, and a mini book for practicing the sight word "on." These free materials are a preview from a larger Kindergarten February No Prep Pack.

Saint Patrick's Day Activities For March and Saint Patrick's Day, the provider offers adorable, no-prep activities for kindergarten and first grade. These engaging printables focus on CVC words, sight words, numbers, and counting, aligned with reading and math standards. These freebies serve as a preview of a larger March No Prep Pack.

Earth Day Activities Free, standards-based activities about planet Earth are available for kindergarten and first-grade students. These materials are designed for Earth Day lessons about helping the Earth and addressing environmental concerns. The printables and lessons are part of a larger All About Earth Unit that also teaches map and globe usage, recycling, Earth's place in the solar system, crafts, bulletin board ideas, and writing prompts.

November Activities November-themed phonics activities are available where students isolate, identify, and write missing first sounds for CVC words, followed by fluency practice with CVC and sight words using decodable sentences. These free materials are part of a NO PREP NOVEMBER resource and can be found on the provider's blog along with additional November freebies.

Assessment Tools

The provider offers assessment resources designed to help educators evaluate student progress and place students in appropriate instructional groups.

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment A comprehensive kindergarten readiness program is available as a free week-long preview. This curriculum is designed for preschool and pre-k students or can be used for the first few weeks of kindergarten. The materials help students develop letter names, letter sounds, rhyming, handwriting, number recognition and counting, patterns, fine motor skills, sight words, shapes, and more.

Early Literacy and Numeracy Assessment An assessment freebie is available for use during the first week of kindergarten, summer school, or at the end of the pre-k year. These forms allow educators to quickly and easily test students on letter names (both capital and lowercase), letter sounds, number identification, writing numbers 1-10, rhyming, shapes, and more. The information gathered from these assessments is intended to help teachers place students in small groups at their appropriate instructional level.

Classroom Organization Resources

In addition to instructional materials, the provider offers organizational resources for classroom setup and management.

Bin Labels Free bin labels are available that are pre-made and labeled for various classroom purposes. These labels fit perfectly in plastic bin drawers and can be used for group work, grading, copies, substitute plans, days of the week, and more. The free download includes an editable version, allowing teachers to customize labels as needed.

Accessing Free Resources

Keeping My Kinders Busy freebies are available through multiple platforms. The resources can be found on TeachersPayTeachers, where the provider maintains a store dedicated to free educational materials. Additionally, the provider shares free resources on their WordPress blog, where visitors can access additional materials not available on the TeachersPayTeachers platform.

The free resources are typically described as previews of larger, comprehensive teaching units that are available for purchase. Many of the free materials include links to these larger resources, allowing educators to explore the full scope of available materials.

Conclusion

Keeping My Kinders Busy provides a valuable collection of free standards-based printables for early elementary education. Their resources cover essential subject areas including mathematics, language arts, and seasonal themes, all aligned with educational standards like Common Core. The materials are designed for various instructional settings including whole group, small groups, and independent work, making them versatile for different classroom needs.

The free resources serve as introductions to larger teaching units, allowing educators to sample the quality and approach before making purchasing decisions. The assessment tools provided help educators evaluate student progress and group students appropriately, while the organizational resources support classroom management.

These materials are particularly valuable for kindergarten and first-grade teachers seeking no-cost resources to supplement their curriculum. The bilingual options (such as English/Spanish materials) also make these resources accessible to diverse classroom populations. By offering high-quality, standards-aligned materials at no cost, Keeping My Kinders Busy supports educators in providing effective instruction to early elementary students.

Sources

1. Keeping My Kinders Busy Freebies on TeachersPayTeachers
2. Keeping My Kinders Busy Category Freebies
3. Keeping My Kiddo Busy Freebies Blog