Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Halloween Snack Mix!

This October, grab a few fun ingredients and let your kids make their own Halloween Snack Mix.  I like to put out several choices and invite the children to build theirs the way they'd like... this way, they can leave out anything they don't really care for. Here's what we do: I teach primary children (which means I have "primary" parents), so I steer clear of things that are too … [Read more...]

When Readers Become Distracted…

This happens to me. I'll be reading something (or I think I'm reading something), when suddenly I realize I have no idea what I've been reading. My mind was totally someplace else.   It happens to kids, too... even young readers. And they need to be aware of it. They need to know WHY this happens to readers and then WHAT to do about it. This post doesn't have a chart about why readers get … [Read more...]

Lap Book Templates for Kids

There's really no middle ground here. You're either a lap-book-loving teacher or you're not. I've heard, "I LOVE them!" and "I HATE them!" but never, "Yeah, they're kind of okay, I guess."😂 Teachers on the thumbs-down-side cringe at the thought of lap books because they seem tedious and labor intensive, like scrapbooking. I totally get the scrapbooking thing... that's way too much work. I have … [Read more...]

Mother’s Day Gifts from Kids

Mother's Day gifts from kids are so special, especially when they're made by hand. With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's time to start thinking about gifts our students can make. I've done my fair share of flowers made from tiny hand prints. And of course we always make cards that feature pictures of our moms... which, by the way, never really reflect how they actually look. My own … [Read more...]

Easter Games for Kids

Minute-to-Win-It games are pretty easy to set up and play. They're fast paced and fun, so they even make good brain breaks when you feel the energy dipping. Easter week is a great time to play these games. They're perfect for school, but they're also fun to play with friends and family at home. 💡IDEA: Share the link with your students' families. Parents are always looking for ways to keep their … [Read more...]

5 Anchor Charts to Support Reading Discussions

Anchor charts don't have to be complicated.  As a matter of fact, they shouldn't be... especially for primary children.  I once read that anchor charts should be designed the way advertisers design billboards... simple, clear, and to the point.  A driver needs to be able to look quickly at the sign, see a few key words and images, and understand what the message is about. … [Read more...]