Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

End of the Year Memory Book

As a teacher, I think an end of the year memory book is a great project to do with students before they leave for the summer. As a parent, I also think this. My kids are grown now, but I still love to look back at what they wrote when they were just six. Actually, they do too. We still have a good laugh at my daughter's kindergarten narrative about her first experience at a hibachi grill. That … [Read more...]

Opposites Activities for Children

Left, right, high, low... our favorite opposites activities are all here! This post speaks mainly to K-1 teachers, but working with higher level antonyms is part of building a rich vocabulary. The work you're doing now will set your kids up for success as they move into the higher grades. As a primary teacher though, if you have kids who are ready, you can introduce them to more robust … [Read more...]

Earth Day Activities for Kids

I've been looking for new Earth Day activities this year. It's not that I don't like what we're already doing, but I'm just feeling a little bored... like when you finally get tired of that couch you thought you'd love forever. It's time for a change. Younger me probably would've spent hours coming up with my own ideas. Now me is tired. And I was pretty sure someone else would have just the … [Read more...]

Summer Worksheets for First Graders

Breaks from school are so nice (and so necessary), but long ones can have a negative impact on a student's achievement. Year after year, we often have parents asking for summer worksheets, so I'm not sure why it took me so long to jump on board and make some. I think summer break should be a time for kids to let loose and embrace all the freedoms that go along with being a kid. And because I … [Read more...]

Animal Habitats – Fun Activities for Kids

Animal habitats are so diverse. When I think about all the different spaces where plants and animals thrive, I'm truly in awe. Animals, and their ability to adapt within changing ecosystems, are full of surprises. Any unit around animals is never a hard sell for children. From cute and cuddly to fast and fierce, kids love them. So learning about where and how they live in nature is an easy … [Read more...]

MLK Day Activities for Kids

Every January, I'm on the lookout for new MLK Day activities. This can be a challenge when you teach the littles. His work, and the events leading up to the civil rights movement, are really big ideas for first graders. One of the best ways to support kids with this topic is through rich, thoughtful discussions and I usually turn to picture books to help me get started. One of our favorites is My … [Read more...]