Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

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...]

What are the sports in 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...]

Teaching Kids How to Ask Good Questions

How do you teach kids to ask good questions? The standards are pretty clear. In K-1 classrooms, children need to be able to ask and answer questions about key details in a text. And in second grade, students should be able to ask and answer questions such as who, what, when, where, why, and how to demonstrate understanding. Many children naturally ask questions and LOTS of them. But some kids, for … [Read more...]