Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Balloons Over Broadway – Activities for Kids

Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet is one of our favorite picture books about the Thanksgiving season. It tells the true story of Tony Sarg, the original puppeteer behind the iconic Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons. The book is beautifully illustrated and rich with information about the world-famous parade and how it has evolved over time. Easily a 5-star book in my … [Read more...]

Sub Plans for Teachers

These sub plans for teachers have saved my sanity on more than one occasion. I remember the year our principal asked us to prepare emergency lesson plans before school even started. Ugh, why? I'm usually a pretty proactive person, but not when it came to sub plans. I was never sick. And I was never out. But then I had kids of my own. And THEY got sick. And THEY were out. Scrambling to write … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]