Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Big Ideas from The Other Side

I read The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson at the start of each school year. It's perfect for introducing sophisticated topics to young children, such as exclusion and racial tension. The story deals with big ideas in kid-friendly ways, helping us have conversations about kindness in an effort to build healthy relationships and communities. The author explains how she hopes the story of Clover … [Read more...]

Make Your Own Breakout Games

When the pandemic forced us all inside last year, my family became a little bored. Suddenly, my own kids were back home from college and after about three weeks of Netflix, they were wondering "Ok. What's next?" Being a teacher's kid is always a risk You'd think they'd know by now not to ever admit to feeling bored. And yet, they fall for it every time. So I put everyone to work. A lot of it was … [Read more...]

Back to School Breakout Game

Back to School Breakout Game Have you ever gone to an Escape Room or Breakout with your friends? It's a lot of intensity packed into what feels like the fastest 60 minutes ever, but if you happen to beat the clock, you're the smartest people on the planet ... or at least that's what you tell yourselves in the car ride later, right? Don't lie. 😂 None of the Escape Rooms I've paid … [Read more...]

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...]