Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Pairing Cards for Student Partners

Pairing cards are one of my favorite ways to bring kids together for activities. There are a number of ways you can set up student partnerships in a classroom. Often, I'm very intentional when pairing up children. If the work is academic, I tend to pair kids who need support and a gentle spirit with kids who are patient and natural at coaching. I also try to avoid combining children who rile up … [Read more...]

Morning Greetings – Fun Ways to Say Hey

I love the variety in this set of morning greetings. There's a little something here for everyone... non-contact, non-verbal for your low key kids. And high-five, dance-it-out cards for those kids that are always a little extra. A lot of teachers post greetings right outside their classroom door, giving students a choice of how they want to say HI as they're entering the room. If you're new to … [Read more...]

Comprehension Strategies in Reading

No matter which side of the literacy debate you're on, teaching comprehension strategies is obviously key. I think everyone can agree on that. If children don't understand the words they're reading, what's the point? I can't recall where I first read this, but I say it all the time: Reading is an action sport. I think, at the very least, we should help children fall in love with books. Once … [Read more...]

Classroom Posters That Develop Positive Behaviors

What do readers do? Or writers? How about scientists, musicians, and athletes? What does it look like to be an active listener? And what does it mean to be a good friend? The first week of school is right around the corner and these are some of the questions I know we'll talk about as we work on building our culture. These classroom posters have been in my back to school toolbox for years and I … [Read more...]

Sub Plans for Teachers

These sub plans for teachers have saved my sanity on more than one occasion. I remember the year our principal asked us to prepare emergency lesson plans before school even started. Ugh, why? I'm usually a pretty proactive person, but not when it came to sub plans. I was never sick. And I was never out. But then I had kids of my own. And THEY got sick. And THEY were out. Scrambling to write … [Read more...]

Ideas for Classroom Rewards

FUN IDEAS FOR CLASSROOM REWARDS I'm writing this in mid April... you know, that time of year when the behavior plan you've had in place all year long suddenly seems to be cracking. No worries. It's probably just time for spring break. A little time away is good for everyone. And when the little muffins return, everything will be back to normal. Right? Probably. I mean, sure. I've gone … [Read more...]