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...]

Christmas Science Activities for Kids

Christmas science activities are one of my favorite ways to spend the week before winter break. When I first started teaching, eons ago, we all planned holiday activities just for the sake of the holiday itself. Now, I make sure standards are at the heart of my teaching so there's added purpose to our play. MAKE YOUR OWN SNOW Making snow from a baby diaper is one of my students' favorite … [Read more...]

Thanksgiving Math Activity for Kids

A Thanksgiving math activity that starts as art? Yes, please. Settle in with a few of your favorite Thanksgiving read-alouds to set the stage for this turkey art lesson! There are so many good books about turkeys, but our hands-down favorite is 'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving by Dav Pilkey. Every time we get to the page where the kids plan to save the turkeys by stuffing them in their … [Read more...]

Fun Halloween Math for Kids: Freaky Frankies

So, this probably looks like an art lesson (and it is), but then (like magic) it becomes a fun Halloween math lesson chock full of data practice. The kids love it! And honestly, all the finished Freaky Frankies are adorable. FIRST THINGS FIRST Let's go ahead and get this out of the way. If you're thinking you can't do this lesson because you can't draw, trust me ... you can. Using simple shapes … [Read more...]

Halloween Science Experiments for Kids

These Halloween science experiments are something I look forward to every year! The kids do too, especially if I've already taught their older siblings. "Aren't you the teacher who makes the pumpkins sick? That's what my sister told me." Over the years, I've simplified the investigations so they're more manageable for me and more engaging for the children. I've also found some coordinating … [Read more...]