Andrea Knight

Teacher · Learner · Author

Apple Day Activities for Kids

Fall is right around the corner which means Apple Day isn't far behind! It's the perfect time to make applesauce from scratch, learn who Johnny Appleseed was, and explore all the parts of an apple. If you're ready, let's get these Apple Day activities prepped! Remember to save time for the library, too. Our media center is packed with books about apples, both fiction and nonfiction. The hard … [Read more...]

Morning Work Journals with Digital Prompts for First Grade

We're loving these morning work journals! Ok, so I've gone through a few morning routine renovations over the years. Some, when I was a newbie, are probably too embarrassing to mention. Others resulted in various degrees of chaos. And others looked like a series of worksheets I confess were probably busy work. Did I collect them? Usually. Did I grade them? Rarely. So yeah... busy … [Read more...]

Let’s Get Ready for Christmas Eve!

This time of year brings a rich variety of holiday traditions with it. For children who observe Christmas Eve, this special night is an exciting time, full of anticipation for the morning ahead. Let's be ready for it! Start by gathering up your favorite Christmas books. Honestly, there are so many to choose from, it's almost overwhelming. Specific to Santa, we love these: Santa Claus, … [Read more...]

Chrysanthemum Activities for the First Day of School and Beyond

We read this sweet book by Kevin Henkes at the beginning of every school year, but these Chrysanthemum activities work well beyond the first day of school. If the story is new to you, it's about a little girl (mouse) with an unusually long name... Chrysanthemum. It doesn't bother her one bit though. She loves her name and thinks it's absolutely perfect. That is, until the first day of … [Read more...]

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...]