Tuesday, July 1, 2025

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



Friday, June 20, 2025

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





Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Celebrate American Eagle Day – Let Learning Soar!




June 20 is American Eagle Day, a perfect opportunity to introduce your students to the awe-inspiring world of eagles—powerful birds that symbolize honesty, strength, and freedom.

To celebrate, I’ve created a comprehensive Eagle Fact Booklet that gives young learners a chance to explore the traits, habits, and importance of this iconic bird through reading, writing, research, and craft. This resource isn’t just informative—it’s designed to spark curiosity and encourage critical thinking.

What’s Included in the Eagle Fact Booklet:
Black-and-white informational booklet about eagles
Comprehension worksheet for note-taking and writing responses
Research form to guide student-led learning
Sorting sentences for reading fluency and vocabulary reinforcement
Craft activity (make-your-own eagle!)
Teacher fact page to encourage group discussion
This booklet works beautifully for: Reading groups
 Centers, Early finishers, Sub days, Homework Birdwatching tie-ins

5 Eagle Books for Kids to enjoy reading:

"Bald Eagle" by Gordon Morrison (Nonfiction) - Stunning illustrations and clear text teach kids all about the eagle’s role in nature and its path back from near-extinction.

"The Bald Eagle" by Norman Pearl (Nonfiction, Rookie Biographies Series)-Easy-to-understand facts and colorful visuals about why the eagle is a national symbol.

"An Eagle’s Feather" by Minfong Ho (Fiction/Inspired by True Story) - A poetic tale of freedom and healing inspired by a real eagle’s rescue.

"Soaring with the Wind: The Bald Eagle" by Gail Gibbons (Nonfiction) - Gail Gibbons is a master at combining science and art. This book explains the eagle’s habits and lifecycle.

"The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush" by Tomie dePaola (Fiction - Symbolism) - While not directly about eagles, it includes symbolic animal representations, including eagle references that open conversations about Native American respect for birds of prey.

Here are some activity Ideas to Make Eagle Day Fun & Skill-Building:
 Science – Observe & Compare Birds of Prey
Compare eagles to other birds like owls or hawks using a Venn diagram. Discuss adaptations like beaks, talons, and eyesight.
 Art – Eagle Feather Watercolor
Paint or collage an eagle feather. Use real photos for reference and label the parts of a feather.
Craft – Eagle Puppet or Paper Plate Eagle
Use the eagle craft included in the booklet or make a simple eagle puppet using brown paper bags or plates.
 Geography – Map It!
Use a map of North America to track where bald eagles live. Add small eagle icons to show their range.
 Writing Prompt –
“If I Could Fly Like an Eagle, I Would…” or “Why the Eagle Is a Great Symbol for Our Country.”

Eagles represent freedom, courage, and resilience. Once endangered, the bald eagle is now a conservation success story—thanks to people who cared enough to protect them. Teaching kids about eagles helps build respect for wildlife and awareness of the role humans play in protecting nature.

Let your students take flight into learning with this booklet and activities—because when kids connect with nature, they care for it. 

This resource may be found in my store:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/thebeezyteacher
 




Sunday, June 1, 2025

Celebrate Learning All June Long! New Fact Booklets for Special Days


June is bursting with opportunities to combine fun, learning, and celebration! I’m excited to share a fresh lineup of fact booklets tied to meaningful dates throughout the month. These resources are perfect for centers, sub days, independent work, early finishers, or even take-home learning. Each booklet includes:
A fact booklet with engaging content
A comprehension check
Sentence sorting activity
A research form for student extension
Teacher fact page for easy discussion
A themed craft to wrap it all up with creativity
Let’s take a peek at what’s new for June:

June 1 – Rose Day
Kick off the month with a study of the most beloved flower—roses! Your students will enjoy reading rose facts, sorting flower-related sentences, and creating a beautiful rose craft. It’s a great tie-in to science, nature, and descriptive writing.

June 14 – Flag Day
Celebrate the American flag with this patriotic fact booklet. Students will learn about the history of the flag, its symbols, and why we celebrate Flag Day. The included craft lets them design their own version of the flag while learning what each element represents.

June 15 – Father’s Day
Honor dads and father figures with this sweet and educational Father's Day booklet. Kids can reflect on what makes their dad special, complete the comprehension and sorting tasks, and end with a heartfelt Father’s Day craft.

June 20 – American Eagle Day
The bald eagle is a symbol of strength, freedom, and the U.S.A.! This booklet teaches students about eagle traits, habitats, and why they were chosen as a national symbol. The fun eagle craft will soar right off your bulletin board!


June 22 – World Rainforest Day
Dive into the lush world of the rainforest with two engaging options:
A Rainforest Fact Booklet covering layers of the rainforest, animals, and conservation
A companion How to Draw Rainforest Animals pack that combines art and science!
These pair beautifully for a mini-project-based learning unit on habitats and biodiversity.

June 27 – Helen Keller Day
End the month with an inspiring figure—Helen Keller. Students will learn about her perseverance, her groundbreaking achievements, and how she communicated in a world without sight or sound. The included activities and craft help students connect emotionally and thoughtfully with her story.

These booklets bring seasonal meaning and academic value together. Whether you're prepping for summer, managing a sub day, or looking to reinforce content with fun, these June-themed resources are here to support you.

Check them out in my shop today and bring meaningful moments to your classroom all month long!  These products may be found in my store: 

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