Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Makerspace Literature: Boxitects

Architect: One who designs buildings. Boxitect: One who makes things out of boxes. Obviously. If you've been collecting makerspace literature, add this new one by Kim Smith to your list. It's a fun story about Meg, a boxitect, who has a serious passion for constructing things out of old boxes. Meg loves school, and the thing Meg loves most about school is that she's the only boxitect … [Read more...]

Sofia Valdez, Future Prez

Sofia Valdez for president! Have you seen this new book by Andrea Beaty? She's written a few other books you may already know: Ada Twist, Scientist Rosie Revere, Engineer Iggy Peck, Architect Her books empower children, leaving them feeling like they can do anything and her new book doesn't disappoint. In Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, a young girl notices a problem in her community and … [Read more...]

Make Ten: A Game for Math-Loving Kids

(Make Ten / Free in App Store) This is one of those games I play on my phone when I'm waiting in a doctor's office or find myself needlessly and unfortunately wide awake at 3:30 AM.  My son and I are in a not-so-secret competition for high score, but I'll never catch up because he plays it when he gets bored at school (which is a whole other topic of concern).  In any event ... … [Read more...]

Reusable Anchor Charts for Young Readers

I have a few teacher friends who don't like their own handwriting and swear they can't even draw a stick figure. I'm not sure I totally believe the stick figure part, but I get the point. So you can imagine their anxiety over the thought of creating anchor charts. And seriously, don't we all have that one teammate whose charts are museum-worthy? The kind with perfect artistry we envy? We just want … [Read more...]

Freebie: I’m a Little Penguin

Penguin Poem If you're planning lessons on polar animals, animal habitats ... or just think penguins are cute ... and need additional resources to integrate literacy work, you can grab this nonfiction poem at the link above.  It's sung to the tune of I'm a Little Teapot and provides factual information about penguins, giving the children a spot to draw what they know based on the … [Read more...]

Room on the Broom (On Netflix)

NETFLIX has brought another one of my favorite children's books to life ... and it's perfect for your October lesson plans. (Rated G / 25 minutes) Read the story by Julia Donaldson, watch the show, and then incorporate literacy standards by discussing: • problem / solution  • cause / effect • character traits / relationships • setting • mood • theme, plot, or main … [Read more...]