Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Procedural Writing Templates That Grow with Your Students

I love to write, so I love to teach writing. But not every kid is as enamored with it as I am. "I don't know what to write," is a phrase I've come to expect from at least one child each year. For many children, our how-to writing unit is a favorite. The self-confidence of a six-year-old is enviable and it's not hard to convince them they are experts at something. Some, however, are sure they … [Read more...]

Activities for Wemberly Worried

We love these fun activities for Wemberly Worried. Actually, we just straight-up love Kevin Henkes and all his relatable characters... Lilly, Owen, Julius, Chrysanthemum, Sheila Rae, Chester, and, of course, Wemberly. Most kids can find themselves in at least one of his stories, if not more. This is one of those books teachers typically reach for at the beginning of the year. However, the … [Read more...]

Classroom Rules and Expectations

With the beginning of school right around the corner, this is the time to start thinking about classroom rules and expectations. Though schools have many safety systems in place, the children need to understand their own role within this setting. Knowing how to behave kindly and safely will go a long way toward establishing and maintaining a strong and thriving school community. When planning … [Read more...]

The Pigeon Has to Go to School

The Pigeon has to go to school, but to be honest, he's not happy about it. In fact, he's panicking. Loaded with what-if questions, he's working hard to get out of going. "What if I don't like school?" "Will finger paint stick to my feathers?" "Why does the alphabet have so many letters?" "What will the other birds think of me?" "What's up with those heavy backpacks? I'm a fragile … [Read more...]

Back to School Activities – If I Built a School

It's almost time to go back to school, so I'm gathering up all the books we love to read during the first few weeks. Honestly there are so many, it's hard to narrow it down. One of our favorite back to school books is If I Built a School by Chris Van Dusen. In the story, the main character, an imaginative kid named Jack, shares his bold and creative ideas about what the perfect school would … [Read more...]