Improve Your Students' Listening Skills - Following Directions - Back-to-School Teacher Resources

Listen, Draw, and Follow Directions

Would you like to improve your students’ listening skills?

You can improve students' listening skills with these 'listen, draw, follow direction' pages. Students listen, then follow the directions based on what they heard. Teacher direction pages are included.

PRINTABLES are no-prep for the teacher and provide practice for a vital school skill...listening.

Sometimes, the directions have students standing up, behind their chairs, and taking a stretch; other times, they are to share with their neighbor. And still other times, they are to be whispered. The changes make this an active listening practice for students to become engaged with the listening task.

Each page shows the start of a picture, and the students are to listen, draw, and follow directions to complete the picture. Each page has 3 writing lines below the image, and this space is intended for writing words and sentences according to the teacher's directions. Sometimes, the student will have a direction to write on the back of the page.

 Listening is the key!

There are a total of 20 pages. The directions can certainly be changed or revised to meet your students' needs, making them easier or more challenging. This listening activity would be appropriate for Grades 1-2 and homeschoolers. You can easily use these pages in a one-to-one setting, a small group, or a whole class.

Find these in the Back-to-School category at Mrs. Quimby Reads TPT store. On sale now.

Or click here to preview.

Listening Skills - Response Pages

Listening Skills - the building block of communication

Improve students' listening skills with these pages to use after reading aloud or in your listening center. Students listen to a story and then respond with book responses. Teach active listening skills by displaying the anchor chart included on 'good listening habits'. Colorful and bright anchor chart to post in your read-aloud corner or listening center.

Focus on listening skills with this teaching resource:

• 5 different response pages to use in the listening center, or have reading aloud
• anchor charts that show 'good listening postures'
• chart that reads: " listen and silent are spelled with the same letters'
• bookmarks that show listening

There are a total of 9 pages. Easy download and print. 

Teach the skills that lead to success!

Be sure to catch the Back-to-School Sale 

August 5 and 6 .... Everything is 25% off on my low, low prices.  Shop now and put those resources in your cart.  Over 425 teacher resources to help make your day easier and your students' day brighter. 

Did you know all Back-to-School resources are marked down to $5.00?  And on August 5 and 6, they will be 25% off the $5.00!!  Grab some engaging resources for ELA, Math, Classroom Management, Classroom Decor, and more at these low, low prices!  Thank you, followers!  Click HERE to go to the SALE (August 5 and 6)

Teaching Resources for the Busy Elementary Teacher | All Back-to-School Resources | ONLY $5!

Educational Alphabet Cards and Circles 

Bright! Colorful! 

Alphabet cards for reading instruction, literacy centers, learning the alphabet, and learning letter sounds. Alphabet circles to create a word wall or make a word journal. Teach important phonics lessons throughout the year with these alphabet cards. Each letter is written in primary handwriting, using both capital and lowercase letters. Bright and beautiful clipart brightens your classroom. Post these in any corner. Two complete sets included.   Alphabet cards measure: 4" x 4" 

Alphabet circles measure : 3" x 3"

The letter/pictures are :

A- apple                  G- grasshopper              M - milk              S - sunshine            Y - yarn

B- bear                    H- hippopotamus           N - net                T - turtle                   Z - zebra 

C - caterpillar           I - igloo                          O - octopus        U - umbrella

D - dinosaur            J - jack-o'-lantern           P - pear              V - vulture

E - elephant            K - key                           Q - quilt               W - watermelon

F - fish                    L - lion                             R - rabbit            X - xylophone

Alphabet Circles

Each alphabet card has:

• alphabet letters in both uppercase and lowercase
• easy-to-read font
• visually stunning clip art by ChristineQuimbyArt
• Alphabet circles are perfect to create your word wall
• alphabet cards for individual reading lessons, literacy centers, phonics
• Create an alphabet line-up at a height where little learners can see

Alphabet Word Wall - Rectangle Alphabet Cards

 Here are some additional back-to-school resources that teachers highly recommend....  You will find teacher resources for your classroom decor, numerous book companions to enhance your read-alouds for the start of an excellent school year, resources to build community and citizenship, desk tags and labels, teacher organization tools, alphabet resources, easy beginning-of-year assessments, and more.  See this collection here.   All at affordable prices! 

All Back-to-School Resources for $5.00

All Back-to-School Resources for $5.00

  

All Back-to-School Resources for $5.00

All Back-to-School Resources for $5.00

  

Teachers love MrsQuimbyReads back-to-school resources because they save valuable prep time while creating a warm, organized, and educational classroom environment. Each resource is thoughtfully designed to engage young learners from day one, helping teachers begin the year with confidence and joy.  Get ready to kick off the school year with enthusiasm and creativity—without breaking the bank! 

  What's the buzz?

Extended Sale for Busy Teachers ! 

Every back-to-school resource at MrsQuimbyReads TPT store is just $5 during August and September ! From engaging literacy activities to classroom organization tools, you’ll find high-quality, teacher-loved materials that save you time and spark student learning.  Don’t miss this limited-time chance to stock up on thoughtfully designed resources that make back-to-school lessons easy and more joyful.

Every Back-to-School Resource is ONLY $5

— Extended Sale for August and September !

In just 5 minutes, you can find exactly what you need to start the school year strong—click here to shop now! From bright, cheerful classroom décor, teaching posters, and engaging book companions that teach literacy and life lessons, citizenship-building activities, and easy-to-use assessments for the first weeks of school, these resources are designed to save you time and set a positive tone from day one. Every item has been marked down to just $5 to help you grow your collection without stretching your budget. Back-to-school can be bright, meaningful, and fun—let MrsQuimbyReads help you make it happen!

125 Back-to-School Teaching Resources 

for $5.00 Extended Sale for August and September here 

Get Your $5.00 Teacher Resources HERE

These same teaching resources are further discounted by 25% on August 5 and 6.  Don't miss this double sale on back-to-school teacher materials.

Summer Journal | Authentic Writing | Summer Break | Writing

Summer Journal

Are you looking for summer writing prompts or summer school activities that will motivate your students to write this summer?   Is it important to maintain those writing skills over summer vacation?  Sail Away to a Summer Authentic Writing Experience. Assign this summer writing journal to your students so they maintain their writing skills and write about summer events.

This is an engaging writing activity. Students will choose from "topic squares" and write about summer events when they happen. These 

writing topic squares can be used in the summer journal booklet you create with these cover pages and inside journal pages, or you can also use the topic squares to assign with a composition notebook. Choose the pages you like and keep your students writing.

Students are directed to cut out the topic square as summer events unfold, paste it in their booklet or composition notebook, write the date, write about the topic, and reread their writing to correct mistakes. This summer journal can be a great way to start the next school year by sharing summer events.

Pages Include:

1. 3 pages of summer 'topic squares.'
2. 1 page where students can design their topic square
3. Cover [3 designs]
4. Inside journal pages with no lines, primary lines and lines for more experienced writers
5. Extra lined pages and no lined pages if you make a booklet journal
6. Teacher Notes and Directions
7. Student Directions

Topics Include:

books read, stories written, jobs, chores, swimming, hiking, camping, playground, 4th of July, sports, favorite foods, favorite treats, movies, gone fishing, friends, helping family, parades, summer birthday, birthday party, special event, vacation, travel, cooking, in the garden, lists, special day, rainy days, good deeds, pets, at the beach, money spent, money earned.

This summer writing journal is the PERFECT no-prep activity packet to excite kids to write over summer break! 

Summer Journal

Summer Journal

See Preview HERE

Reference Charts for Kindergarten | Beginning Writers | Early Education | Reference Materials

Would you like to build a helpful and informative folder for your beginning writers? Do you want to encourage good writing?

Alphabet Reference Charts for Beginning Writers

These reference cards can be used to create a very useful writing folder for beginning writers and mathematicians. These charts can also be used in your classroom for small groups or made into individual writing and math folders. They're perfect for writing centers or math stations!

Writing Reference Card for Beginning Writers:

1. Alphabet Chart with pictures - Beginning Sounds

2. I know my alphabet manuscript guideline

3. I know my sight words - quick reference on early sight words

4. Consonant Blends with Pictures - Phonics

5. Trace the Alphabet

Math Reference Card for Beginning Mathematicians

Reference Cards for Beginner Mathematicians

1. I know my numbers

2. I know my shapes

3. Number Line

4. Tally Marks

5. Money - Coins

6. Combinations to 10

Keep these reference cards handy for beginning writers and mathematicians. Create writing and math folders to make them easily accessible. You can print on two sides or one side if you prefer. These are easy references for beginning learners. There are a total of 10 charts. They are easy to download and print.

Reference Charts for Kindergarten

Would you like to know when I post new teaching resources? Follow ME on TPT

******************************************************************************************

50% off all new teaching resource listings for the first 24 hours. Follow to

receive notifications of new listings, sales, and updates. Thank You Followers

******************************************************************************************

Sandcastle Writing Prompt | Explanatory Writing | Writing Resources

Sandcastle Writing Prompt 

Do you need a high-interest writing prompt? Engage your students with

Explanatory Writing about building a sandcastle.

Writing pages, sequencing, illustrating, and example sandcastle designs make a great end-of-year "waiting for summer" writing assignment. Your students will learn how to write an explanatory text with this writing prompt about sandcastles — writing that explains how something is created, how something works, why something happens, or what something means. This is integral to third- and fourth-grade learning and supports your students' writing in many ways.

Explanatory Writing Prompt - Sandcastles

What are the key benefits for children

when learning explanatory writing?

1. Improves Clarity of Thought
   Writing explanations helps students organize their ideas clearly and logically, strengthening their overall thinking skills.

2. Builds Communication Skills
   Students learn to express information and ideas in a structured way, making them better communicators in writing and speech.

3. Supports Reading Comprehension
   By explaining concepts in their own words, students deepen their understanding of texts they read and learn how to identify main ideas and supporting details.

4. Enhances Vocabulary and Language Use
   Explanatory writing encourages precise language and subject-specific vocabulary, helping students expand their word knowledge.

5. Strengthens Subject-Area Knowledge
   Students can apply explanatory writing across content areas—such as science, social studies, and math—to reinforce what they’ve learned through writing.

6. Encourages Curiosity and Research Skills
   Writing to explain motivates students to ask questions, seek information, and explore topics more deeply.

7. Prepares for Real-World Writing
   Expository writing mirrors real-world tasks (e.g., how-to guides, reports, and informational articles), preparing students for academic and everyday communication.

8. Builds Confidence in Writing
   Structured writing formats, like explanatory pieces, help students feel more confident and successful as writers.

This writing resource includes:

• 2 writing prompt pages
• sequencing pages
• materials page
• illustration page
• example sandcastle designs
• how to write page
• web mapping
• prewriting pages

This writing activity could span 2-3 days and is easy to follow. It is appropriate for

3rd and 4th graders.

Would you like to know when I post new teaching resources? Follow ME on TPT

************************************************************************************

50% off all new teaching resource listings for the first 24 hours.

Follow to receive notifications of new listings, sales, and updates.

Thank You Followers

***********************************************************************************

May Calendar | Free Printable | Teaching Resources for Spring

FREE | May Calendar | Printable

Free Printable May Calendar – Download Now!

Stay organized with this free downloadable and printable calendar!

It's perfect for tracking essential dates, planning events, scheduling lessons, or organizing family activities. Whether a teacher, student, or busy professional, this calendar is a simple and practical tool to keep you on top of your month. Please print it out and start planning today!

Do you need some Spring Break Packets? 

Preview these Spring Break assignment packets, which include reading, writing, and math.

Create a "spring break" folder for your students with engaging math and literacy activities. There are many pages to choose from, so you can quickly diversify folders to suit your students' needs. Reviewing and practicing literacy and math skills taught in the classroom is excellent, with a parent feedback form.  These are excellent for classroom seatwork, small reading groups, whole class instruction orhome study

Here are some 'Spring Break' Packets:

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Ladybugs

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Flowers

Spring Break Packet | 1st Grade | Rain

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Rabbits

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Chickens

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Bees

Spring Break Packet | 2nd Grade | Birds

Would you like to know when I post new teaching resources? Follow ME on TPT

***********************************************************************************

50% off all new teaching resource listings for the first 24 hours. Follow

to receive notifications of new listings, sales, and updates.

Thank You, Followers

***********************************************************************************