Teaching Resources
EducatorNavigator.org maintains a curated library of free instructional resources for K-12 educators. All materials have been reviewed by experienced teachers and curriculum specialists. Resources are organized by category below.
📚 Resource Library Stats: Over 4,200 downloadable resources including lesson plans, worksheets,
assessment rubrics, and professional guides — all free for educators to use and adapt.
Lesson Plan Collections
Our lesson plan database covers all major subject areas and grade levels. Each lesson plan includes learning objectives aligned to national standards, estimated timeframes, materials lists, differentiation suggestions, and assessment strategies.
Mathematics (K–12)
- Elementary (K–5): Number sense activities, place value manipulatives, fraction models, geometry explorations, word problem strategies, math journal prompts
- Middle School (6–8): Ratio and proportion projects, algebraic thinking stations, statistics investigations, coordinate plane activities, integer operations games
- High School (9–12): Algebra I & II curriculum maps, geometry proof workshops, trigonometry applications, pre-calculus skill builders, AP Calculus review materials
- Common Core Alignment Guides: Cross-reference documents mapping our lesson plans to specific CCSS-M standards
Science & STEM
- Life Science/Biology: Cell biology labs, ecology field studies, genetics simulations, human anatomy models, evolution case studies
- Physical Science/Chemistry: Chemical reaction demonstrations, periodic table activities, states of matter experiments, stoichiometry practice sets
- Physics: Mechanics lab activities, electricity circuits, optics explorations, projectile motion calculations, energy transfer demonstrations
- Earth & Space Science: Weather tracking projects, rock cycle investigations, plate tectonics models, astronomy observation guides
- Engineering Design Challenges: Bridge building, egg drop, water filtration, Rube Goldberg machines, renewable energy prototypes
- NGSS Alignment Guides: Standards crosswalk documents for all science lesson plans
English Language Arts
- Reading: Guided reading lesson templates, literature circle discussion guides, close reading protocols, comprehension strategy posters, Lexile-leveled reading lists
- Writing: Writer's Workshop frameworks, six-trait writing rubrics, narrative/expository/argumentative writing prompts, grammar mini-lessons, peer editing checklists
- Vocabulary: Vocabulary notebook templates, word wall strategies, Greek/Latin root activities, context clue exercises, academic vocabulary lists by grade
- Speaking & Listening: Socratic seminar protocols, debate formats, presentation rubrics, active listening activities, oral history projects
Social Studies & History
- U.S. History: Primary source document analysis worksheets, timeline activities, historical debate simulations, amendment analysis projects
- World History: Civilization comparison charts, mapping activities, cultural exchange project ideas, historiography exercises
- Geography: Map skills worksheets, GIS project guides, physical/political geography units, population studies
- Civics & Government: Mock trial scripts, legislative simulation guides, Constitution analysis activities, voter education projects
- Economics: Supply and demand simulations, personal finance units, stock market projects, entrepreneurship case studies
Special Education
- IEP Resources: IEP goal banks organized by disability category and academic area, progress monitoring templates, transition planning checklists
- Behavior Support: Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) templates, Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) guides, positive reinforcement systems, de-escalation strategy cards
- Accommodations & Modifications: Accommodation selection guides, modified assignment templates, testing accommodation checklists
- Assistive Technology: AT device comparison charts, software reviews, implementation guides, funding request templates
English as a Second Language (ESL/ELL)
- Sheltered Instruction: SIOP lesson plan templates, vocabulary preview strategies, graphic organizer collections, language objectives guides
- Language Proficiency: WIDA-aligned assessment rubrics, language domain checklists, ACCESS score interpretation guides
- Cultural Resources: Cultural responsiveness self-assessment tools, family communication templates (multilingual), newcomer welcome packets
Classroom Management Resources
Effective classroom management is the foundation of successful teaching. Our collection includes evidence-based strategies and practical tools:
| Resource | Description | Grade Level |
|---|---|---|
| Classroom Procedures Checklist | Comprehensive list of daily procedures with implementation timeline for the first 30 days | All grades |
| Positive Behavior Framework Guide | Multi-tiered behavioral support system with Tier 1, 2, and 3 intervention strategies | All grades |
| Restorative Justice Practices Guide | Circle protocols, conflict resolution scripts, and community-building activities | 3–12 |
| Transition Strategies Toolkit | Quick activities and signals for smooth transitions between activities | K–5 |
| Student Self-Monitoring Tools | Self-assessment checklists, goal-setting worksheets, and reflection journals | 3–12 |
| Parent Communication Templates | Email templates, conference planning sheets, positive note home forms | All grades |
Assessment & Grading Tools
- Formative Assessment Strategies: Exit ticket templates, think-pair-share protocols, digital polling guides, whiteboard response systems
- Rubric Collection: Over 200 rubrics for projects, presentations, essays, labs, and portfolios — editable Word and Google Docs formats
- Standards-Based Grading Guide: Implementation handbook, gradebook setup instructions, report card templates, parent communication guides
- Portfolio Assessment: Digital and physical portfolio frameworks, student reflection templates, portfolio review rubrics
- Test Construction Guide: Item-writing best practices, test blueprint templates, item analysis worksheets, accommodated testing protocols
Grants & Funding for Educators
Numerous grant programs exist to support teachers in purchasing classroom supplies, attending professional development, conducting action research, and implementing innovative instructional programs. Below is a selection of currently available opportunities:
| Grant Program | Amount | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEA Foundation Student Achievement Grants | Up to $5,000 | Active NEA members | February 1, June 1, October 1 (annual) |
| Fund for Teachers Fellowships | Up to $5,000 (individual) / $10,000 (team) | Pre-K–12 teachers with 3+ years experience | January 30 (annual) |
| Donors Choose | Varies (project-based) | All U.S. public school teachers | Rolling (year-round) |
| Captain Planet Foundation Grants | Up to $2,500 | Environmental education projects | January 31, September 30 (annual) |
| McCarthey Dressman Education Foundation | Up to $10,000 | Pre-K–12 teachers for innovative projects | April 15 (annual) |
| National Geographic Education Foundation | Up to $5,000 | K–12 educators for geography education projects | March 15 (annual) |
| Toyota TAPESTRY Grants | Up to $10,000 | K–12 science teachers | October (annual) |
| NCTM Mathematics Education Trust | $1,200–$24,000 | Mathematics teachers (various programs) | May 1, November 1 (varies by program) |
Grant Writing Tip: When applying for education grants, clearly connect your project to measurable
student outcomes and align with the funder's stated priorities. Our Grant Writing Guide for
Educators provides templates and examples for successful proposals.
STEM Education Resources
Our STEM resource collection supports educators in implementing hands-on, inquiry-based science, technology, engineering, and mathematics instruction. Updated quarterly with new materials.
STEM Lesson Bundles (by Grade Band)
| Grade Band | Topics Covered | Number of Lessons |
|---|---|---|
| K–2 | Animal habitats, weather patterns, simple machines, plant growth, coding basics (unplugged) | 85 lessons |
| 3–5 | Ecosystems, forces & motion, earth materials, engineering design process, data collection | 120 lessons |
| 6–8 | Cell biology, chemical reactions, energy transfer, coding (Scratch/Python), 3D modeling | 145 lessons |
| 9–12 | AP Biology/Chemistry/Physics prep, robotics, data science, environmental engineering | 180 lessons |
Recommended STEM Tools & Platforms
- PhET Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado) — Free physics, chemistry, biology, and math simulations
- Code.org — Free computer science curriculum for K-12
- Desmos Classroom — Interactive math activities and graphing tools
- NSTA Science Resources — Standards-aligned science lesson plans and articles
- Arduino Education — Physical computing and electronics projects
- Google Science Journal — Mobile app for student data collection and analysis
Recommended Reading for Educators
The following titles are widely regarded as essential professional reading for educators. Our team has selected them based on their practical value and evidence-based approaches:
- Teach Like a Champion 3.0 by Doug Lemov — 63 techniques for effective classroom instruction
- Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond — Neuroscience-based strategies for culturally responsive instruction
- The First Days of School by Harry & Rosemary Wong — Classic guide to classroom management and procedures
- Visible Learning for Teachers by John Hattie — Research synthesis on what works best in education
- Understanding by Design by Grant Wiggins & Jay McTighe — Backward design framework for curriculum planning
- Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck — Growth mindset principles for students and educators
- How People Learn II by National Academies of Sciences — Research on the science of learning
- Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman — Unconscious bias in grading and equitable assessment practices
External Resource Directories
In addition to our own resources, we recommend the following curated collections:
- OER Commons — Open Educational Resources searchable by subject, grade, and standard
- PBS LearningMedia — Free videos, interactives, and lesson plans from PBS
- Khan Academy — Free instructional videos and practice exercises for math, science, and more
- ReadWriteThink — Literacy-focused lesson plans and student interactives (NCTE/IRA)
- Edutopia — Evidence-based strategies, videos, and articles from the George Lucas Educational Foundation
- Library of Congress: Teachers — Primary sources and lesson plans from the nation's library