About the store
Welcome to Mrs. Burk's Backpack! My focus is on creating elementary resources that are engaging and easy-to-use. I help educators save time with exciting lesson plans, fun activities, and other useful teaching tools. 🤍
I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade, where I developed a deep understanding of engaging students in math, science, reading, writing, and social studies. I love to create resources that are innovative, effective, engaging, practical, and tailored to diverse learning needs.
My experience has shown me that students thrive when they are both challenged and supported. I strive to incorporate this into every product I create. My goal is to provide teachers with resources that are designed to spark a passion for learning.
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EDITABLE Daily & Weekly Positive Student Behavior Trackers / Smiley Face Charts
Looking for a simple, effective way to track and encourage positive student behavior in your classroom? These editable daily and weekly smiley face behavior charts are an essential tool for classroom and behavior management! Use Daily or Weekly — All Year Long!This is a year-round resource you can use over and over again, no matter the time of year or grade level you are teaching. Whether you're working on individual student behavior plans, supporting students with IEPs, or just promoting po
Not Specific
For All Subjects
Animal Structures & Functions Lesson Plan, Adaptations Science Activities
Are you teaching animal structures and functions? This engaging lesson plan is designed for 3rd grade science classrooms and will teach students all about animal structures and functions, as well as the adaptations that help animals survive in their environment. Observe, compare, & record how the physical characteristics of animals help meet their basic needs! What's Included in this Resource:Animal Structures & Functions Lesson Plan - 6 detailed pages to guide you step by step through teachi
1st - 3rd
Environment, General Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS, VA SOL
2-LS4-1
, 3-LS4-2
, SCIENCE.1.13.A
+3
Social Contract / Classroom Behavior Agreement - Lesson Plan & Anchor Charts
Are you wondering how to create a class social contract/behavior agreement with your students during back-to-school season? This resource is filled with everything you need to make a social contract in elementary school, including 14 total pages of fun activities, teacher instructions, Bloom's Taxonomy discussion questions, and anchor charts. It will guide you through each step of the creation process, and show you how you can easily implement the contract throughout the rest of the school ye
1st - 3rd
Civics, Classroom Community
CCSS
SL.1.1a
, SL.2.1a
, SL.3.1b
3D Shapes, Figures, and Solids Math Activity Pack, Worksheets, & Geometry Games
Looking for the perfect activities to practice identifying, describing, classifying, and sorting 3-D figures? Look no further than this 3D Figures, Shapes, & Solids Geometry Activity Pack! These geometry worksheets, printables, and games are perfect for teaching second or third-grade math. This resource includes over 20 pages, with 10 engaging activities that are aligned with state math standards. This 3-D shapes activity pack will excite your students about 3D figures! Through this engaging r
2nd - 4th
Geometry, Math, Other (Math)
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
2.G.A.1
, MA.2.8.B
, MA.3.6.A
+2
The Greedy Triangle Math 5E Lesson Plan - 2D Shapes / Geometry
This 5E math lesson plan, based on the book "The Greedy Triangle" by Marilyn Burns, teaches students how to identify and classify the number of vertices and sides in 2D shapes/polygons. The lesson plan follows the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and includes suggested questions classified by Bloom's Taxonomy. Teach your students all about 2D polygons and shapes with this detailed 5E lesson plan! Engage students with a popsicle stick activity during a read-aloud of The
1st - 3rd
Geometry, Math
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
2.G.A.1
, MA.2.8.A
, MA.2.8.C
+2
Earth, Sun, & Moon 3rd Grade 5E Lesson Plan with 2-D Model & Science Activities
This 5E science lesson plan makes teaching students about the Earth, Moon, and Sun easy and fun! Take your 3rd grade students on a journey through space as they discover and explore the relationships, orbits, and positions of the Earth, Moon, and Sun. What's Included:Detailed 5E Lesson Plan (5 Pages): This lesson plan follows the 5E instructional model, ensuring an engaging and effective learning process. Each stage — Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate — is carefully designed t
1st - 4th
Astronomy, General Science, Science
TEKS, VA SOL
SCIENCE.3.9.A
, 4.6.a
, 4.6.d
The Sandwich Swap Making Predictions Read-Aloud Activity & Lesson Plan
Grab this lesson plan if you're looking for a no-prep way to teach students how to make and confirm predictions! This resource has everything you need for teaching predictions in 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade. Includes 15 pages of detailed teacher directions, exciting activities, graphic organizers, an anchor chart, and more! Students will listen to a read-aloud of "The Sandwich Swap" by Queen Rania Al Abdullah (video included in the resource). During the book, a sound will signal the stunts to st
1st - 3rd
English Language Arts, Literature, Reading Strategies
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
RL.1.1
, RL.2.1
, LA.3.6.C
+5
Texas Landmarks 2nd Grade Social Studies PowerPoint Presentation & Activities
Are you teaching Texas Landmarks? This engaging resource is designed for 2nd-grade social studies classrooms, covering six iconic Texas landmarks & monuments: The Alamo, The San Jacinto Monument, Big Tex, Johnson Space Center, the State Capitol Building, and the Sam Houston Statue. TEKS Covered:2.11B History. The student understands the historical significance of landmarks and celebrations in the community, state, and nation. The student is expected to: identify and explain the significance o
1st - 3rd
Geography, Other (Social Studies), Social Studies
Also included in: Texas Symbols & Landmarks Research Project, Games, & Activities BUNDLE!
All About Magnets! Science Inquiry 5E Lesson with Activities & Experiments
Get your students excited about magnets with this inquiry-based 5E science lesson plan! This hands-on lesson is packed with engaging, student-driven magnet experiments, activities, and centers that make exploring the invisible forces of magnetism meaningful and fun. This complete science lesson plan follows the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and includes everything you need - from detailed plans, to anchor charts, to worksheets and recording sheets. Students wi
1st - 4th
General Science, Physical Science, Science
NGSS, TEKS, VA SOL
3-PS2-3
, 3-PS2-4
, SCIENCE.3.1.D
+6
FREE Identifying & Counting U.S. Coins Money 1st Grade Math Activity Pack SAMPLE
Please Note: This listing is a small sample of the"Identifying & Counting U.S. Coins NO-PREP 1st Grade Math Activity Pack" which can be found on my TPT store HERE. This freebie includes a sample of two (2) coin activity pages - one (1) cut/paste activity in color and one (1) open-response table activity in black/white. In the activities, students will practice identifying U.S. coins including pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. Students will also practice counting a collection of U.S.
K - 2nd
Math, Measurement, Numbers
TEKS, VA SOL
MA.1.4.A
, MA.1.4.B
, MA.1.4.C
+3
CUBES Math Problem-Solving Strategy Posters / Anchor Charts FREEBIE
These FREE math posters are exactly what you need for teaching word problem-solving strategies! The posters are available in both color and black & white. Hang them up in your classroom as decorations, or use them with a projector to trace an adorable anchor chart! This freebie is perfect for any grade level that solves word problems, especially 2nd or 3rd grade. If you download this product, please remember to leave a review & give your feedback! I appreciate hearing your kind & hones
2nd - 5th
Math, Other (Math)
Identifying & Counting Coins Review Game Show - Kindergarten Math Activity
This math Jeopardy-style game is a digital PowerPoint activity designed for teaching and reviewing U.S. coins in Kindergarten classrooms. Students can compete in teams to earn points by answering questions about U.S. coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. The game is available as a Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) file and also as a PDF. What's Included in this Resource?25 total engaging questions about U.S. coins/money.5 Fun Coin Categories:"Name that Coin" - Students will identify
K - 1st
Math, Measurement, Numbers
TEKS, VA SOL
MA.1.4.A
, MA.1.4.B
, MA.1.4.C
+2
How-To Writing & Procedural Text Activity Pack - with 7 Days of Lesson Plans!
If you're teaching procedural text and how-to writing, this comprehensive Activity Pack is a must-have resource! It includes a variety of worksheets and graphic organizers to support your students in crafting their own tutorials. Additionally, you'll find 7 detailed lesson plans that provide step-by-step guidance for teaching expository writing effectively. What's included in this pack?How to Flow Chart Template featuring "First, Next, Then, After that, Then, Next, Finally" sequence to help st
2nd - 5th
English Language Arts, Writing, Writing-Expository
Digital & Printable Bathroom/Hall Passes - Classroom Sign-Out/In Sheets
This resource is packed with both digital and printable bathroom passes, as well as classroom sign-out/in sheets to log your students' whereabouts throughout the school. Save time and paper while preventing germs with digital check-in/out forms. These Google Forms are super easy to use and completely editable! Just have your students quickly sign out before they leave the room, and remember to sign back in when they return to class. Important information is marked as "required" so student
Not Specific
For All Subjects
Good Citizens Lesson Plan with Social Studies Writing Prompt for Back-to-School
Searching for the perfect back-to-school lesson plan to teach your students about being good citizens? Look no further than this detailed lesson plan! This social studies lesson begins with an engaging read-aloud of the book "David Goes to School" by David Shannon. Then, students will discuss the qualities of good and bad citizens during a fun sorting activity. To conclude, assess student understanding with the Good Citizen Writing Prompt page, complete with answer key and rubric for easy gradi
1st - 3rd
Government, Social Studies, Writing
2nd Grade Daily Two-Step Addition & Subtraction Word Problems YEAR-LONG Bundle!
Tired of students struggling to solve two-step word problems? Do you need a low-prep, consistent way to build essential addition and subtraction skills daily? Look no further! This comprehensive year-long bundle of Daily Two-Step Addition & Subtraction Word Problems is designed to transform your 2nd graders into confident problem-solvers. With real-world scenarios and a variety of problem types, your students will practice adding and subtracting in engaging ways, building fluency and mast
2nd - 3rd
Basic Operations, Math, Other (Math)
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
1.NBT.C.4
, 2.NBT.B.5
, 2.NBT.B.6
+8
FREE Counting & Comparing U.S. Coins/Money NO-PREP 3rd Grade Math Activity Pack
Please Note: This listing is a small sample of the "Counting & Comparing U.S. Coins NO-PREP 3rd Grade Math Printables Activity Pack" which can be found on my TPT store HERE. This freebie includes a sample of 2 money activity pages - 1 cut/paste activity and 1 open-response activity. In the activities, students will practice counting a collection of U.S. coins/bills including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills to find the total value. Students will also compare the values
2nd - 4th
Math, Measurement, Numbers
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
2.MD.C.8
, 4.MD.A.2
, MA.2.5.B
+11
Identifying & Counting U.S. Coins Review Game Show - 1st Grade Math PowerPoint
This math Jeopardy-style game is a digital PowerPoint activity designed for teaching and reviewing U.S. coins in First Grade classrooms. Students can compete in teams to earn points by answering questions about U.S. coins, including pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. The game is available as a Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) file and also as a PDF. What's Included in this Resource?25 total engaging questions about U.S. coins and money.5 Fun Coin Categories:"Name that Coin" - Students will identi
1st - 2nd
Math, Measurement, Numbers
TEKS, VA SOL
MA.1.4.A
, MA.1.4.B
, MA.1.4.C
+1
Math Curse 5E Model Mini-Unit: 5 Days of Engaging Lessons & Activities!
This unit, based on the book "The Math Curse" by Jon Scieska, aims to engage students in solving word problems and help them realize that math is a part of their everyday lives. The unit follows the 5E Inquiry Model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) and includes five days of lesson plans with detailed instructions, worksheets/printables, materials, and answer keys/rubrics. Once students start to see that math is all around us outside of the classroom, they will begin to explore the
2nd - 5th
Math, Other (Math)
CCSS
2.NBT.B.5
, 2.NBT.B.6
, 2.NBT.B.7
+14
2nd Grade Counting & Comparing Mixed U.S. Coins / Money Game Show PowerPoint
This math Jeopardy-style game is a digital PowerPoint activity designed for teaching and reviewing U.S. coins in second grade classrooms. Students can compete in teams to earn points by answering questions about U.S. money, including pennies, nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills. The game is available as a Microsoft PowerPoint (.ppt) file and also as a PDF. What's Included in this Resource?25 total engaging questions about U.S. coins and money.5 Fun Coin Categories:"Counting Coins" - Stude
2nd - 3rd
Decimals, Math, Measurement
CCSS, TEKS, VA SOL
2.MD.C.8
, MA.2.5.A
, MA.2.5.B
+4
Showing 1-20 of 91 results
About the store
Experience
Welcome to Mrs. Burk's Backpack! My focus is on creating elementary resources that are engaging and easy-to-use. I help educators save time with exciting lesson plans, fun activities, and other useful teaching tools. 🤍
I have taught 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade, where I developed a deep understanding of engaging students in math, science, reading, writing, and social studies. I love to create resources that are innovative, effective, engaging, practical, and tailored to diverse learning needs.
My experience has shown me that students thrive when they are both challenged and supported. I strive to incorporate this into every product I create. My goal is to provide teachers with resources that are designed to spark a passion for learning.
Teaching style
My teaching style is interactive and student-centered, with a focus on hands-on learning. I believe that students learn best when actively engaged, so my resources include many hands-on activities and projects. By incorporating inquiry-based techniques, my materials will foster critical thinking, problem-solving, exploration, and creativity. Let's make learning enjoyable for everyone!
My teaching style involves meaningful real-world applications, supporting the belief that students learn best when they can see the relevance of their studies to life outside of school.
Every student has unique strengths and needs, and I believe that every child can excel in school with the right support. My resources are designed to be differentiated, adaptable, and engaging to help students reach their full potential.
Awards & shining teacher moments
Student-voted Teacher of the Month - May 2018
My own education history
I earned my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Texas A and M University, with a focus in early childhood through 6th grade education. My academic background has provided me with a solid foundation in lesson planning and student engagement strategies, allowing me to develop resources that are well-structured and captivating. My studies at university were particularly focused on differentiated instruction, which has greatly influenced my approach to creating inclusive educational materials. This educational journey has been instrumental in shaping my philosophy that every student deserves a tailored learning experience.
Additional biographical information
Outside of teaching, I enjoy sewing and reading fiction novels, which keep me inspired and often lead to new ideas for my educational resources. I also enjoy group workout classes. This passion for fitness influences my teaching style by emphasizing the importance of goal-setting and perseverance. I believe that physical activity and mental stamina go hand-in-hand, and my extracurricular activities support this belief by promoting a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
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