How-To Writing: Make a PB&J

Who knew a peanut butter and jelly sandwich could teach so much? This how-to writing worksheet gives first and second-graders hands-on practice with sequencing and expository writing as they explain each step of making their own PB&J, all while sharpening grammar and editing skills.

Opinion Writing: My Favorite Food

Turn dinnertime into editorial time with this fun opinion writing worksheet! Learners use a graphic organizer to plan their ideas before crafting an argument for their favorite meal, helping them build organization, critical thinking, and opinion writing skills in a way that feels more like sharing what they love than completing an assignment.

Make Your Own Comic Book

Creative writing feels much more exciting when superheroes, adventure, and imagination are involved. This comic book template encourages kids to ideate their own stories through words and illustrations, turning writing practice into an interactive project that supports summer learning and storytelling skills.

Make a Travel Journal

Headed on a family vacation this summer? Turn the trip into a writing adventure with this travel journal activity! Kids can document each day’s escapades, sketch what they see, or record observations about plants and animals along the way, making reading and writing feel like part of the adventure rather than a chore.

Journal Writing Task Cards

Support daily writing practice with these journal writing task cards designed for third through fifth-grade learners. With 24 prompts to choose from, kids build writing fluency, stamina, and creativity through consistent journaling exercises that fit easily into any summer learning routine.

Travel Brochure

Support reading comprehension and creative writing with this travel brochure worksheet. Children explore the setting of a book by turning it into a travel destination, helping them practice descriptive writing, imagination, and text-to-world connections.

Newspaper Article Template

Read all about it! In this newspaper writing activity, students step into the role of a journalist and design their own front-page article. From headlines to captions, kids strengthen storytelling, summarizing, and creative writing while reporting on events from books, history, or their imagination.

Looking for more ways to keep the learning going this summer? Browse our entire Learning Library for even more summer activities that make learning feel like play.

How-To Writing: Make a PB&J

Who knew a peanut butter and jelly sandwich could teach so much? This how-to writing worksheet gives first and second-graders hands-on practice with sequencing and expository writing as they explain each step of making their own PB&J, all while sharpening grammar and editing skills.

Opinion Writing: My Favorite Food

Turn dinnertime into editorial time with this fun opinion writing worksheet! Learners use a graphic organizer to plan their ideas before crafting an argument for their favorite meal, helping them build organization, critical thinking, and opinion writing skills in a way that feels more like sharing what they love than completing an assignment.

Make Your Own Comic Book

Creative writing feels much more exciting when superheroes, adventure, and imagination are involved. This comic book template encourages kids to ideate their own stories through words and illustrations, turning writing practice into an interactive project that supports summer learning and storytelling skills.

Make a Travel Journal

Headed on a family vacation this summer? Turn the trip into a writing adventure with this travel journal activity! Kids can document each day’s escapades, sketch what they see, or record observations about plants and animals along the way, making reading and writing feel like part of the adventure rather than a chore.

Journal Writing Task Cards

Support daily writing practice with these journal writing task cards designed for third through fifth-grade learners. With 24 prompts to choose from, kids build writing fluency, stamina, and creativity through consistent journaling exercises that fit easily into any summer learning routine.

Travel Brochure

Support reading comprehension and creative writing with this travel brochure worksheet. Children explore the setting of a book by turning it into a travel destination, helping them practice descriptive writing, imagination, and text-to-world connections.

Newspaper Article Template

Read all about it! In this newspaper writing activity, students step into the role of a journalist and design their own front-page article. From headlines to captions, kids strengthen storytelling, summarizing, and creative writing while reporting on events from books, history, or their imagination.

Looking for more ways to keep the learning going this summer? Browse our entire Learning Library for even more summer activities that make learning feel like play.

Essential life skills for kindergarten 

When most parents think about kindergarten readiness, reading and math tend to come to mind first. Some of the most important skills for a successful start to school have nothing to do with the alphabet or counting to 100. Everyday life skills play a big role in helping children prepare for kindergarten, and summer is the perfect time to build them naturally at home.

Getting dressed independently

Give your child opportunities to dress themselves, from fastening buttons and zippers to tying shoes. These day-to-day tasks help build confidence, patience, and independence, making busy mornings a little easier when the school year begins.

Opening lunch containers and packaging 

Kindergarteners are expected to open their own snacks and lunch containers without much help. Use similar bags and containers they will encounter in the cafeteria, such as yogurt cups, zip-lock bags, thermos lids, and juice boxes, so they can manage lunchtime on their own.

Finishing a meal within a set amount of time

School lunch periods are typically around 20 to 30 minutes, which can feel surprisingly short for young kids. Help your child get used to this by occasionally setting a gentle timer during mealtimes. Keep it light and pressure-free!

Washing hands

Build proper handwashing into your child’s daily routine now, before meals, after using the bathroom, and after playing outside. Making it a consistent habit during summer break means it will feel like second nature once school starts.

Following simple directions

Listening carefully and following directions are skills children use throughout the school day. Encourage these abilities by incorporating simple one- and two-step directions into games, household tasks, and daily life.

Waiting in line and taking turns

Kindergarten involves a lot of lining up, sharing materials, and taking turns. Board games, card games, and group activities are fun ways to help children practice self-control and strengthen these important social skills.

Supporting early reading, writing, and learning at home

Along with everyday life skills, you can gently weave in reading and writing activities that feel fun and natural. Instead of structured studying, it is about small experiences that keep children comfortable with learning. Reading together, going to the library, or spotting words while you are out and about are all easy ways to support early literacy.

You can also include offline activities that fit naturally into your summer routine, helping balance screen time with hands-on learning experiences such as:

• Daily reading practice (20 minutes together before bed)
• Letter and shape recognition activities
• Sight word practice
• Rhyming or phonics printables
• Coloring worksheets

Preparing for kindergarten is a gradual process, and every child develops these skills at their own pace. Small, consistent moments of practice can make a big difference in helping children feel more ready for classroom routines and expectations. With a focus on independence and everyday readiness skills, families can support a smoother transition into kindergarten and a positive start to school.

Education.com now offers 40,000 different ways to learn. That’s 40,000 worksheets, games, hands-on activities, Guided Lessons, and more, growing what is already the most comprehensive collection of learning resources for PreK through 8th grade. Every resource we create starts with you in mind. Supporting parents, teachers, and learners in 197 countries inspires us to continue developing new resources and expanding our library. 

A Learning Library that never stops growing

Our library doesn’t just grow in size. It grows in purpose, with every new resource carefully designed to help students build real skills, strengthen their confidence, and develop a lifelong love of learning. Our expert team of educators, who specialize in everything from phonics and early literacy to math, science, and social studies, adds approximately 150 new resources every month, so there is always something new to explore. Wherever your child or class is on their learning journey, our library has exactly what they need to keep going.

Meet our 40,000th resource!

Marking this milestone is a poetry analysis worksheet for middle schoolers! Our offerings for grades 6 through 8 continue to grow, giving middle school learners access to challenging, standards-aligned content that supports the complex skills they are building inside and outside the classroom. From dissecting a poem’s structure to tackling advanced math concepts and more, Education.com has something for every learner from PreK through 8th grade.

Analyzing Poetry: The Stories Last

Designed to sharpen critical thinking and reading comprehension, this worksheet guides middle schoolers through an original poem with imagery and metaphor, asking them to analyze everything from key vocabulary and poetic form to the poem’s central theme.

The resources your kids love the most

Not sure where to begin with 40,000 resources at your fingertips? We’ve got you. Below are the top 3 most downloaded printables from Education.com, beloved and used over and over again by the millions of parents and educators who rely our library every day. 

1 Minute Math: Multiplication

Perfect for third and fourth graders, this timed multiplication exercise is a classroom favorite for building fact fluency and mental math skills, and since it can be used multiple times throughout the year, kids can actually see their own progress over time.

Learning to Tell Time

This popular printable worksheet gives first and second graders hands-on practice reading analog clocks, writing times in digital format, and drawing clock hands, developing skills they will use every single day.

How Many Colors in a Rainbow?

This colorful activity invites preschoolers and kindergarteners to bring a rainbow to life while strengthening fine motor skills and counting from 1 to 10, making it an ideal introduction to both art and early math.

Here’s to 40,000 Resources and Beyond

This achievement is more than just a number. It reflects our commitment to giving every child, every classroom, and every family access to educator-created resources that support real skills in reading, math, science, and more, whether on a screen or off. From our ever-expanding library of worksheets, games, Guided Lessons, and more, everything we do is built around one goal: helping your learners grow and thrive. 

What is the summer slide?

The summer slide refers to the learning loss that can happen when kids are out of school for an extended period of time and aren’t regularly engaged in academic activities. It’s more common than you think and can easily be managed. Small, consistent activities can help kids retain essential skills and feel more prepared heading into the new school year.

Start before summer officially begins

One of the easiest ways to prevent the summer slide is to begin building simple learning habits before school even ends. Instead of waiting for summer break to start, introduce short, low-stress routines now by setting aside just 15–20 minutes a day for activities like:

• A matching game or crossword puzzle after school
• Math fact practice before dinner
• 15 minutes of reading independently or together

It’s also a great idea to connect with your child’s teacher before the school year wraps up. Teachers can help you identify any skills that your child struggled with and can help recommend areas to focus on at home. A few minutes of practice each day can be more effective and manageable than long study sessions that can leave kids feeling overwhelmed. 

Set summer learning goals

Setting simple goals can help kids stay motivated without making summer feel like school. Letting kids help choose their own goals gives them a sense of ownership and can make learning feel more exciting. Keep goals realistic and low-pressure, like reading 10 books, practicing multiplication facts a few times a week, or keeping a summer journal. Education.com resources like reading logs, writing prompts, and printable math practice can help support these goals all summer long. 

Turn everyday activities into learning opportunities

Summer learning can happen during everyday moments, not just at a desk. Connecting learning to real-life experiences helps kids stay curious while naturally practicing important skills throughout the summer.

• Cooking together: Practice fractions, measurements, and following directions
• Grocery shopping: Build counting, budgeting, and money math skills
• Road trips: Explore maps, geography, and landmarks 
• Gardening: Encourage observation and science learning
• Reading menus and signs: Support everyday literacy practice

Tap into your community

Local community resources can make summer learning fun and affordable. Libraries often host reading challenges, story times, and free activities for kids, while museums, parks programs, and community centers may offer educational events and workshops throughout the summer. Exploring local opportunities is a great way to keep kids active, inspired, and learning outside the classroom without adding extra stress at home.

Take it to the next level 

For parents looking for a more structured approach to summer learning, Education.com’s Roly’s Road Trip Summer Packet and the Ultimate Summer Workbooks from our sister company, IXL Learning, offer ready-to-use activities that fit easily into daily routines. Both feature grade-specific, curriculum-aligned activities designed to help bridge the gap between school years. Together, these resources make it simple for families to support reading, math, and other essential skills all summer long without having to build a plan from scratch.

The summer slide is real, but so is your ability to prevent it. With the right mix of everyday habits, community resources, and engaging learning tools, your child can head back to school in the fall feeling confident and ready to hit the ground running. Start small, stay consistent, and remember that the best learning often happens when kids don’t even realize it’s happening.

Writing prompts for K-3rd grade

A Special Memory

Help your child put their gratitude into words with this apple-shaped writing worksheet, where they will think back on a special memory with their teacher while practicing key foundational skills like spelling, sentence writing, and expressing their thoughts.

Learning Something New

This creative writing printable gives learners a unique way to honor their teacher by reflecting on a moment when they learned something new, describing it inside a colorful paint palette shape that doubles as a one-of-a-kind Teacher Appreciation Week keepsake.

A Meaningful Activity

From science experiments to art projects, every class has that one unforgettable activity. This book-shaped writing worksheet gives kids the chance to describe their favorite classroom memory in their own words.

Writing prompts for 4th-8th grade

Describing My Teacher

Celebrate your child’s teacher with this cut-out writing worksheet, where they’ll dig deeper than just “nice” or “funny” and put into words exactly what makes their teacher so special.

My Stand-Out Teacher

Every great teacher leaves a lasting impression. This activity gives students the space to identify and describe exactly what that looks like, using real classroom examples to back up their thinking.

Making an Impact

The best teachers don’t just teach subjects, they shape who their students become. This writing resource gives kids the space to reflect on exactly how their teacher has helped them grow academically and as a person.

New Ways of Thinking

This thoughtful writing worksheet asks learners to revisit an assignment that sparked a new way of thinking, giving them a meaningful opportunity to express gratitude while sharpening their reflection and narrative writing skills.

Printable gift tags to personalize any gift

Sometimes the sweetest gifts come with the perfect finishing touch. These six printable gift tags feature cute illustrations and heartfelt thank-you messages that kids can mix and match with any gift they choose, from a cozy latte to a classroom essential. Simply cut them out, thread a bit of ribbon or string through the hole at the top, and let your child’s teacher know just how appreciated they are.

• Thank You a Latte
• Thank You for Bee-ing a Wonderful Teacher
• You’re a Teacher for the Books
• Out of This World Teacher
• #1 Teacher
• For a Wonderful Teacher

Looking for more resources? Check out our entire Learning Library of over 40,000 worksheets, hands-on activities, games, and more!

Katelan Frye

Middle School Social Studies and ELA

End-of-the-year tip #1: Don’t ditch the routine just yet

Katelan’s tried and true end-of-year strategy? Keeping things consistent.

Routine is key! Maintaining a predictable classroom routine helps students transition smoothly between end-of-year activities. It also mitigates test anxiety; since class time is a known entity, the lack of unpleasant surprises leads to much calmer students!

End-of-the-year tip #2: Incorporate student choice

Her next piece of advice is all about putting the power of choice in students’ hands.

The end-of-the-year is a great time to incorporate student choice into class activities. Project-based learning was always my favorite way to continue meaningful learning up until the last day of school. Creative and research-based projects encourage students to apply the skills they’ve learned throughout the year to topics they are naturally curious about.

Katelan’s favorite Education.com end-of-the-year resource

For an end-of-the-year activity, I recommend the “Research a Historical Figure” graphic organizer. It’s a manageable task with meaningful content, especially if you give students the freedom to choose whom they research. The research can take a day or two, depending on the required depth. Then, it’s easy to extend into a public-speaking activity by having students share their findings with a small group or the whole class.

Hallie Rockwell

Middle School ELA

End-of-the-year tip: Get moving

Hallie knows that keeping middle schoolers engaged sometimes means getting them out of their seats.

Middle schoolers need to get the wiggles out, too! Find ways to incorporate movement and student interaction into the classroom through jigsaws, gallery walks, or outdoor activities. My students loved the opportunity to do independent reading outside.

Hallie’s favorite Education.com end-of-the-year resource

The “Playlist of My Year” worksheet is a meaningful way to incorporate student reflection and low-stakes writing practice. Print it off and use it in the last week of school, and make good use of the inevitable one-off shortened class period.

Lacey Hollowell

3rd and 4th grade

End-of-the-year tip #1: Inject fun into stressful activities

Lacey’s tip is a great reminder that even required activities can be transformed into something students actually look forward to.

The end of the year can be stressful for everyone, especially for elementary schoolers going through their first year of standardized test prep. Find ways to inject fun and humor into required activities. One year, I made a test-prep unit for my third graders with a playful luchador theme to help them practice test-taking strategies in a silly and engaging way.

End-of-the-year tip #2: Lean into what you love

Beyond keeping things fun, Lacey believes the end of the year is the perfect time to revisit the moments and activities that remind you why you love teaching.

Do more of what sparks joy for you and your students! That might mean taking a math lesson outside to enjoy nicer weather, squeezing in an engaging STEM activity, or creating a good-natured competition between classes. Read-aloud time was always magical with my kids, so I made sure we had a great novel to finish out the year.

Lacey’s favorite Education.com end-of-the-year resource

I love Edcom’s novel and book studies because they’re a great way to create shared reading experiences with the whole class, allowing scaffolded practice of reading comprehension and analysis skills with authentic, engaging texts.

A big thank you to Katelan, Hallie, and Lacey for sharing their wisdom and favorite resources with us! We hope their tips help you and your students finish the school year feeling accomplished, energized, and ready for whatever comes next.

Looking for more resources? Check out our entire Learning Library of over 40,000 worksheets, hands-on activities, games, and more!

Test anxiety can affect sleep, mood, and academic performance, but parents can play a powerful role in helping their children manage stress in healthy ways. In this blog, you’ll learn what test anxiety is, how to spot the signs, and practical ways to support your child before, during, and after testing.

What is test anxiety?

While mild nerves can help kids stay alert and focused, test anxiety can make it difficult for a child to think clearly or demonstrate what they know. They may worry excessively about making mistakes, disappointing others, or failing. It can stem from pressure to perform well, perfectionism, fear of failure, or even a past negative testing experience. 

It’s also more common than many parents realize. Test anxiety can affect students of all ages and academic levels. High achievers, struggling learners, and everyone in between can experience it.

How to spot testing anxiety in your child

Recognizing the signs of test anxiety early can help you step in with support before exam day.

Physical signs

• Frequent stomachaches or headaches before test days
• Trouble sleeping or nightmares
• Fatigue or low energy during testing week

Emotional signs

• Excessive worry about upcoming tests
• Irritability or mood swings
• Crying or frustration

Behavioral signs

• Avoiding homework or test prep
• Procrastinating more than usual
• Acting out or resisting going to school

Tips on how to help your child

Supporting your kids during testing season doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Small, steady actions can make a big difference.

Before the test

Encourage them to write about their worries.

Writing down fears can help clear mental space and reduce anxious thoughts. You might ask:

• How am I feeling about the test?
• What am I most excited about?
• What concerns me the most?

Get the body moving

Light movement helps reduce stress and release tension.

• Practice simple breathing techniques
• Stretch or do gentle movement
• Go for a walk or bike ride

Create a calm routine

Consistency helps kids feel secure. Keep homework time, mealtime, and bedtime steady in the weeks leading up to testing.

Prioritize sleep and nutrition.

Well-rested children manage stress better and think more clearly.

Practice positive self-talk

Help your child reframe thoughts like “I’m going to fail” into “I will try my best and use what I know.”

During test week

• Keep mornings low stress. Avoid last-minute cramming and focus on getting ready calmly and leaving on time.
• Offer simple encouragement such as, “I’m proud of how hard you’ve worked,” or “Take your time and do your best.”
• Try to avoid major schedule changes during the week so home continues to feel predictable and steady.

After the test

• Celebrate effort, not just results. Ask questions like, “What part felt easiest?” or “What strategies helped you?”
• Instead of immediately asking, “How did you do?” try, “How are you feeling now that it’s over?” This keeps the focus on emotional well-being rather than performance.

Confidence starts at home

Test anxiety in kids is real, but it is manageable with the right support. During state testing season, your child needs you the most as a steady, reassuring presence. By focusing on healthy routines, realistic expectations, and emotional encouragement, you can help your child build confidence and resilience that extends far beyond a single test.

Looking for ways to help your child relax and reset? Explore printable worksheets and offline games in the Education.com Learning Library to support focus and confidence all year long.

Heather Stokes

Curriculum Designer

Pi Day tip: The cookie activity

Heather’s go-to activity is equal parts math lesson and sweet treat.

In my math classroom, I celebrated Pi Day with a cookie activity where students solved for the value of pi. Each student received a round cookie and measured its circumference by wrapping a piece of string around the edge. Students then found the diameter by measuring the distance across the center of the cookie. To solve for the value of pi, they divided the circumference measurement by the diameter. This activity led to great conversations and solidified their understanding of the relationship between these measurements. Students also enjoyed their sweet treat at the end of the activity!

Heather’s favorite Education.com Pi Day resource

Graph the Frequency: The First 100 Digits of Pi is my favorite Edcom Pi Day resource! I love this worksheet because students examine the value of pi while also creating frequency tables and bar graphs. This worksheet is a great way to explore pi while also practicing graphing and interpreting data.

Ariel Cocciardi

Senior Curriculum Designer

Pi Day tip #1: The Pi recitation contest

Ariel’s school took Pi Day school-wide with an assembly that had students buzzing with excitement and friendly competition.

Every year on Pi Day, my school held an assembly for students who were interested in reciting as many digits of pi as they could from memory. Education.com has some great resources to help students prepare for the event, such as this worksheet and this worksheet! The student from each homeroom that could recite the most digits of digits of pi was rewarded with a pie that they could smash in the face of their math teacher.

Pi Day tip #2: Pi Day baking at home

Not every Pi Day celebration needs to happen in a classroom. 

I have young children at home who aren’t ready to fully understand pi and its significance. But that doesn’t stop us from having some pie-themed fun and exploring some early math concepts! Every year on Pi Day, we make a pie together. As we’re baking, we measure ingredients, cut shapes into the pie dough, and discuss how we’ll partition the pie to ensure that everyone gets an equal share. My kids look forward to our Pi Day tradition every year!

Ariel’s favorite Education.com Pi Day resources

Youngsters who haven’t studied pi yet often miss out on the Pi Day fun. That is why I am excited that the team developed resources to engage students of all ages in activities that have to do with pie! I can’t wait to have my kids complete Decode the Pie: Addition to 10, Pie Memory Match: Uppercase and Lowercase Letters, and Opinion Writing Prompt: Roll-a-Pie to round out our Pi Day celebration.

Amelia Floehr

Senior Curriculum Designer

Pi Day tip: From Pie to Pi

Amelia’s approach to Pi Day is all about building excitement first and letting the math follow naturally.

Pi Day is a great opportunity to get students excited about math! You can hook them in by thinking about pie or other sweet treats, then lead into hands-on explorations. From deriving the value of pi by measuring real-world objects, to competing to see who can memorize the most digits of pi, there are so many ways for students to celebrate Pi Day and discover the joys of math!

Amelia’s favorite Education.com Pi Day resources

One of my favorite Pi Day resources on Education.com is the Probability: The First 100 Digits of Pi worksheet, because it blends probability and statistics with a topic students more commonly see in geometry.

A huge thank you to our talented team of educators at Education.com for sharing their Pi Day tips and favorite resources with us! We hope their ideas inspire you to make March 14th a day full of learning and maybe even a little pie. 

Looking for more resources? Check out our entire Learning Library of over 39,000 worksheets, hands-on activities, games, and more!

People Who Changed the World: Women’s History

Empower second and third graders to learn about women changemakers with this research worksheet. By investigating a historical figure and organizing their findings, learners build confidence in research, strengthen comprehension skills, and gain a deeper appreciation for the women who helped shape history.

Women’s History Month: Honoring Women in History

Fourth and fifth graders explore the story behind Women’s History Month in this informational text activity. As students read and respond to questions, they practice identifying supporting details, explaining historical events, and determining word meaning from context.

Changemakers: Women’s History

Help students connect past and present with this graphic organizer. As fourth and fifth graders research an important historical figure, they examine her achievements and explain her impact on society. This resource supports critical thinking, informational reading, and a richer understanding of how individuals contribute to lasting change.

Voices From the Past: Shirley Chisholm

Fourth and fifth graders dive into the legacy of Shirley Chisholm in this social studies worksheet. After reading about her historic role in Congress, kids explore her message and consider how they can advocate for themselves and others. This resource blends reading comprehension with meaningful exploration of leadership and civic responsibility.

Research a Historical Figure: Women’s History

Middle school learners take a closer look at women who shaped the world with this research activity. By analyzing accomplishments, motivations, and long-term impact, students build strong research habits and gain insight into how historical figures influence progress over time. 

Historical Quote Analysis: Malala Yousafzai

Inspire middle school students with the story of education activist Malala Yousafzai in this powerful historical quote analysis worksheet. Learners read about her life and achievements, then examine one of her speeches to uncover the meaning and impact behind her words. 

Reading a Timeline: Dr. Jane Goodall

Discover the life and impact of Jane Goodall with this timeline activity for middle school learners. Students track key events in her career, answer comprehension questions, and consider why her contributions to conservation and animal research are so significant. 

Historical Quote Analysis: Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Dive into the legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg with this historical quote analysis. Students interpret a meaningful quote, explore its context, and reflect on how they might advocate for an issue they feel strongly about.

For more digital and printable worksheets, hands-on activities, and interactive games, check out the full Education.com Learning Library of 39,000+ resources.