Laura Candlers Free Educational Resources For Teachers And Parents

Laura Candler offers an extensive collection of free educational resources for teachers, parents, and homeschoolers through her website and various online platforms. With over 75 freebies available across multiple subjects and grade levels, Candler's resources have become valuable tools for elementary educators seeking quality materials without cost. Her free resources include printable worksheets, lesson plans, math activities, science demonstrations, and seasonal teaching materials, all developed from her own classroom experiences.

Accessing Laura Candler's Free Resources

To access Laura Candler's extensive collection of free educational materials, visitors must subscribe to her email newsletter, "Candler's Classroom Connections." This newsletter serves as the gateway to her Free Resources Library, a private page containing all available freebies. The subscription process involves signing up through a form on her website, after which new subscribers receive a welcome message containing the direct link to the Free Resources Library.

For current subscribers who may have misplaced their access link, Candler provides an option to sign up again using the same subscription form. If subscribers encounter issues accessing their welcome message or the Free Resources Library, they can contact Laura directly through a contact form available in the menu at the bottom of her website pages. The support team assists with access problems and ensures subscribers can reach the materials they need.

The email newsletter not only provides access to existing free resources but also notifies subscribers when new materials are added to the File Cabinet. This regular update system ensures that educators have continuous access to fresh teaching tools and resources throughout the academic year.

Organization of Free Resources

Laura Candler's free materials are organized in an online File Cabinet structure on her website. This organized approach allows users to navigate easily between different subject areas and resource types. The File Cabinet contains folders that group similar resources together, making it simple for educators to find materials specific to their teaching needs.

The Miscellaneous Math File Cabinet, for example, contains specialized math resources developed for upper elementary classrooms. Each resource in this collection was created by Laura Candler for use in her own classroom and has been tested with actual students. This practical development approach ensures that the materials are classroom-ready and address common educational challenges.

The Pinterest boards maintained by Laura Candler provide an additional avenue to discover her resources. Boards such as "Laura Candler's Freebies" and "Best of Laura Candler" showcase her most popular resources and teaching ideas, with the latter containing over 3,500 pins highlighting her best materials across various subjects.

Mathematics Teaching Resources

The mathematics resources available through Laura Candler's free offerings cover multiple topics and skill levels appropriate for upper elementary students. These materials emphasize practical application and student engagement, moving beyond rote learning to develop conceptual understanding.

One notable collection focuses on Input/Output Tables, also known as Function Tables. This resource includes both a teacher-directed lesson component and additional practice materials with quizzes. The structured approach allows educators to introduce the concept systematically and then reinforce learning through targeted practice activities. The progression from direct instruction to independent practice follows established pedagogical principles for mathematical concept development.

Number sense and operations form another significant category within the math freebies. Resources like "Number Words to Spell" help students develop number recognition and spelling skills simultaneously. The "Coin Combinations Activity" and "Coin Patterns" materials focus on money recognition and counting skills, practical applications that many elementary students find engaging. These resources can be particularly useful for developing real-world math skills in younger learners.

The mathematics collection also includes "Number Tiles for Math Games" and "50 Numbers for Sorting," which provide hands-on learning opportunities. These manipulative-based resources allow students to interact physically with mathematical concepts, enhancing engagement and retention. The "Frayer Model Graphic Organizer for Math Vocabulary" supports vocabulary development in mathematics, helping students build a strong foundation of mathematical terminology.

For teachers seeking word problem resources, Candler offers "Word Problems for Writing Equations," which helps students transition from understanding word problems to forming algebraic equations. This resource bridges the gap between arithmetic and algebraic thinking, preparing students for more advanced mathematical concepts.

Science Teaching Resources and Demonstrations

Laura Candler's science resources focus on providing engaging, hands-on learning experiences that create memorable educational moments. One of her most popular science freebies is the "Cloud in a Jar" water cycle demonstration, which has received positive reviews from educators. This demonstration clearly outlines how to create a cloud in a jar using common materials, making it accessible for classroom use.

The "Cloud in a Jar" activity serves multiple educational purposes. It can be used when introducing weather concepts or specifically when teaching about the water cycle. The demonstration is noted for being both easy to set up and safe for classroom environments while still providing that "wow factor" that captures students' attention. This balance of safety, simplicity, and engagement makes it valuable across multiple grade levels, from early elementary through introductory high school science.

Science educators appreciate how this demonstration transforms abstract scientific concepts into tangible experiences. By creating a visible representation of cloud formation, students can better understand the water cycle processes that might otherwise remain theoretical. The resource's adaptability across grade levels makes it particularly valuable for schools with multi-grade classrooms or for teachers who work with students at varying developmental stages.

Seasonal and Holiday Teaching Resources

Laura Candler offers numerous seasonal and holiday-themed resources that allow educators to integrate special occasions into their curriculum while maintaining educational focus. These resources help maintain student engagement during times of the year when attention may be divided by holidays and seasonal events.

Valentine's Day resources form a significant portion of the seasonal collection. These materials incorporate Valentine's themes into various subject areas, particularly mathematics. The "Valentine Fraction Activities" include multiple resources such as "Valentine Fraction Riddles," "Valentine's Compare Fractions," "Sweetheart Fractions- Equivalent & Simplifying," and "Valentine Fractions." These activities leverage students' natural interest in Valentine's Day to reinforce fraction concepts, making potentially challenging topics more accessible and enjoyable.

The Valentine's Day math resources extend to younger students with "Candy Heart Math - Fractions" and "Candy Heart Fractions," which use conversation hearts as manipulatives for learning fraction concepts. These resources connect mathematical learning to concrete, familiar objects that students can see, touch, and manipulate. The multisensory approach reinforces understanding and improves retention of fraction concepts.

Beyond mathematics, Valentine's Day resources include literacy activities such as "Valentine's Day Cause And Effect Activities," which help students develop critical thinking skills while engaging with holiday-themed content. These resources maintain rigorous educational standards while incorporating seasonal themes that resonate with students.

February-focused resources extend beyond Valentine's Day to include President's Day activities, providing teachers with materials to observe this important national holiday while meeting educational objectives. The seasonal resources demonstrate Laura Candler's understanding of how to align teaching materials with the calendar and maintain student interest throughout the school year.

Additional Teaching Resources and Classroom Materials

Beyond subject-specific resources, Laura Candler offers various teaching tools and classroom materials that support overall instructional effectiveness. These resources address classroom management, organization, and instructional strategies that benefit educators across disciplines.

The collection includes cooperative learning resources that help teachers implement structured group work strategies. These materials provide frameworks for effective collaboration among students, maximizing learning through peer interaction. The emphasis on cooperative learning aligns with research-based practices that develop both academic and social skills.

Reading workshop resources support balanced literacy approaches, helping teachers structure reading instruction that meets diverse student needs. These materials include organization tools, lesson frameworks, and assessment resources that can be adapted to various grade levels and reading programs.

The "Interactive Science Notebook" resources help teachers implement note-taking strategies that promote deeper understanding of scientific concepts. These materials guide students in organizing their scientific observations and reflections in a structured format that enhances comprehension and retention.

For upper elementary classrooms specifically, Laura Candler provides resources that address transitional skills, helping students prepare for the increased academic demands of middle school. These materials focus on developing independence, organization, and higher-order thinking skills essential for future academic success.

The Educational Philosophy Behind Candler's Free Resources

Laura Candler's free resources reflect her extensive classroom experience and commitment to practical, effective teaching materials. The resources are designed with real classroom implementation in mind, having been tested and refined in actual educational settings rather than being developed purely in theoretical contexts.

This practical approach is evident in several aspects of her resources. Many include minimal or no formal directions, assuming that teachers will adapt the materials to their specific classroom contexts and student needs. Similarly, answer keys are often omitted, allowing educators to use materials in ways that best serve their instructional goals.

The resources emphasize active learning and student engagement, incorporating hands-on activities, games, and demonstrations that move beyond worksheet-based instruction. This approach aligns with contemporary educational research emphasizing the importance of active learning experiences.

Candler's resources also demonstrate an understanding of the importance of conceptual development over rote memorization. Whether in mathematics, science, or language arts, the materials focus on helping students build deep understanding of core concepts rather than simply memorizing facts or procedures.

Conclusion

Laura Candler's free resources provide substantial value to educators seeking quality materials without cost. Through her website and email newsletter, she offers over 75 freebies spanning mathematics, science, seasonal activities, and general teaching strategies. The resources are organized for easy access and navigation, with the Free Resources Library serving as the central repository for all materials.

Educators can access these resources by subscribing to "Candler's Classroom Connections," which not only provides access to existing materials but also notifies subscribers of new additions. The practical, classroom-tested nature of these resources makes them particularly valuable for teachers seeking to enhance their instruction without additional financial investment.

The diverse range of materials, from hands-on science demonstrations to mathematics manipulatives and seasonal activities, allows educators to integrate these resources throughout the school year across multiple subjects and grade levels. By offering these resources free of charge, Laura Candler demonstrates her commitment to supporting the teaching profession and making quality educational materials accessible to all.

Sources

1. Laura Candler's Freebies ideas to save today
2. Laura Candler's Best Freebies
3. Best of Laura Candler
4. Freebie Review: Cloud in a Jar Water Cycle Demo
5. Miscellaneous Math File Cabinet
6. Laura Candler's Online File Cabinet