Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Search Results for: BACK TO SCHOOL

Activities for Landforms

Planning children's activities for landforms is a really 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 … [Read more...]

How to Teach Writing in First Grade

I think a lot about how to teach writing in first grade. When I was a beginning teacher, I would read through the writing standards and wonder if they were even reachable for kids who were only six ... kids who pretty much just learned how to use letters to write their own names ... kids who were still drawing pictures to communicate most of their ideas ... kids who would rather hear a story than … [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...]

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...]

Classroom Jobs for Kids

I used to rotate my classroom jobs for kids. When I was a new teacher, this looked like changing the job chart each day, but that felt sort of random and like I was wasting time ... an expensive commodity in my busy teacher day. It didn't take long for me to realize that all I had to do was extend the schedule and change the jobs weekly instead. Duh. That was a little better, but I didn't like … [Read more...]