Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Children’s Dental Health Month

February is National Children's Dental Health Month. Personally, my inspiration for maintaining healthy dental routines comes from Julia Roberts. Remember the bathroom scene in Pretty Woman where she's hiding floss behind her back? She just wanted to get the strawberry seeds out from between her teeth, but Edward thought she was doing something questionable in there. He judged. And she snapped … [Read more...]

What is Groundhog Day?

What is Groundhog Day? Can a rodent really predict the answer to winter's most pressing question? (For the record, my vote is for NO shadow. Honestly, that's my vote every year.) No surprise, but Phil's activity on the morning of February 2nd is the most watched weather forecast of the year. Hilariously, his predictions are more often incorrect than correct, but the tradition lives on, making … [Read more...]

The Winter Olympics

Kids want to know, "What are the sports in the Winter Olympics?" Chances are, if you teach a primary grade, these will be the first Winter Olympic Games your students will remember. Having grown up on the west coast of Florida, I'm here to speak for all the kids who don't have a clue what snow, or even winter, is. I didn't see snow for the first time until I was in my mid twenties. Unless you … [Read more...]

Activities for Landforms

Planning children's activities for landforms is a fun and creative process. I don't recall learning about landforms when I was a kid though. I grew up in Florida near the beach, occasionally paddled a canoe down a nearby river, and spent quite a few fall holidays on a cattle ranch I guess some people might call a plain. I thought the hills in north Florida were pretty decent, but now I live in … [Read more...]

Word Work for First Grade: Our Weekly Routine

Word work for first grade kids should be fun and engaging. I used to think this also meant wacky and spontaneous, but I quickly learned children thrive within routines. Having predictable schedules and systems doesn't mean you have to sacrifice fun. In fact, most kids are more eager and receptive when they know what to expect. Wondering what's going to happen each day leaves many children feeling … [Read more...]