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Subject: Valentines Day - Lesson Ideas Thu 07 Dec 2006, 7:36 am

Valentine’s Day

Lesson Ideas - The Story of Valentines Day
Love
Letter V
Colors - Red, White, Pink
Shape - Heart

Foods - any red or pink food, food cut into heart shapes, red or pink drinks

Valentine Kisses: Makes 4 - 6
Ingredients:
6 cups Krispy Rice Cereal 1 Package Of Marshmallows 3 Tablespoons Margarine Vegetable Cooking Spray
Utensils:
Microwave Oven Large Microwave Safe Bowl Funnel Sprayed With Cooking Spray 12" Square Of Aluminum Foil For Each Child 1" x 11" Strip Of Paper Per Child Waxed Paper Mixing Spoon
Directions:
Label each strip of paper to say "A Kiss For You!" Follow directions on cereal box for making treats. Allow the mixture to cool until easy enough to handle. Have children mold it in the funnel. Place on waxed paper to cool completely before wrapping. Wrap kiss and strip in aluminum foil. Give as a gift to a special someone.

Gingerbread Valentines
Ingredients:
1 cup shortening 1 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 egg 1 cup molasses 2 tablespoons vinegar 5 cups sifted flour 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon each of ground ginger, cinnamon, and cloves 1 package red hots candies 1 jar silver ball candy decorations
Directions:
1. Thoroughly cream shortening, sugar, and salt.
2. Add egg, molasses, and vinegar. Mix well.
3. Sift together dry ingredients. Add to molasses mixture, mix well.
4. Chill about 3 hours. Roll out, ¹ inch thick, on lightly floured surface.
5. Trace children's hands onto paper and cut out with scissors. Place paper hands on dough and cut around with a knife.
6. Place on greased cookie sheet and let children decorate their own hands.
Use red hots for fingernails, silver balls for rings, etc.
7. Bake at 375 degrees for 6 - 8 minutes, cool on wire rack. Makes about 15
hands.

Lovable Cookies
Ingredients:
1 20 oz. Roll refrigerated sugar cookie dough, chilled
1 16 oz. Can pink frosting
Powdered sugar
Heart shaped cookie cutters - 1 small and 1 large
Directions:
Prepare sugar cookies according to directions on the package for rolled cookies. Cut hearts in dough using a cookie cutter. Use knife or smaller cookie cutter to cut out a heart in the center of half the cookies. Place cookies on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 7 - 9 minutes. You can bake the baby hearts, too, for 5 minutes only. Let cool. Spread each big solid cookie with frosting and top with a cutout cookie. Sprinkle with powdered sugar

Movies - Be My Valentine Charlie Brown, A Charlie Brown Valentine, Clifford Be My Big Red Valentine, Barney Be My Valentine, Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch Friends-Happy Heartwood Day,
Mickey & Minnie’s Sweetheart Stories

Books

Guess How Much I Love You
by Sam McBratney

If You'll Be My Valentine
by Cynthia Rylant

The Day it Rained Hearts
by Felicia Bond (Illustrator)

The Night Before Valentine's Day
by Natasha Wing, Heidi Petach (Illustrator)

The Very Special Valentine
by Maggie Kneen

The Story of Valentine's Day
by Nancy Skarmeas, Stacy Pickett-Venturi (Illustrator), Stacy Venturi-Pickett (Illustrator)

The Best Holiday Crafts Ever” by: Kathy Ross

GAMES

Pin the arrow on the Heart
A large heart made of some red material, (flannel, cheesecloth, craft foam) is pinned securely to a sheet, which may be stretched on the wall or door. In the center of the large red heart is a small white heart, either sewed or pinned on.
Each guest is given an arrow of white cloth or craft foam with a pin in one end. When everything is ready, the hostess blindfolds the guests one at a time, and standing a certain distance from the heart, starts them in the right direction.
Each player tries to pin his arrow on the heart. The one pinning it nearest to the middle of the white heart wins the game.

Fingerplays/Songs

Valentine Heart
When I say I love you (Point to lips)
It comes from my heart (Hand on heart)
You hear it in your ear (Point to ear)
And it sounds very smart (Point to head)
I love it when you're proud of me (Stand very tall)
You say it all day long (Stretch arms wide)
And when I hear you say it (Point to ear)
My heart sings a merry song (Hand on heart)

Be My Valentine
Sung to Mary Had A Little Lamb
You're a special Friend of mine Friend of mine Friend of mine
You're a special Friend of mine Be my valentine!

Five Big Valentines
Five big valentines from the corner drug store I mailed one to a friend - then there were four
Four big valentines, lovely ones to see I mailed one to my Mommy - then there were three
Three big valentines - red, shiny, and new I mailed one to my Daddy - then there were two
Two big valentines, the best is yet to come I mailed one to Grandma - Then there was one
One big valentine, the giving is almost done
I mailed it to Grandpa - and now there is none

Valentine Fingerplay
Let's count valentines
One, two, three
Let's count valentines
All for me!
Let's count valentines
Four, five, six
Let's count valentines
Match and mix
Let's count valentines
Seven, eight, nine
Let's count valentines
I'm glad you're mine

I'm A Little Valentine
I'm a little valentine
Red and White
With ribbons and lace
I'm a beautiful sight
I can say, "I Love You"
On Valentine's Day
Just put me in an envelope
And give me away

Special Valentine
Prepare 5 valentines and 5 envelopes to use on the flannel board.
Look at all these valentines; (put valentines on board)
I made one for each friend.
I'll put them in some envelopes,
So each one I can send.
How many valentines do you see?
Start to count them now with me.
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
One for ______(name of child)
One for ______
One for ______, too.
One for ______
And here is one for YOU! (Point to child)
Repeat until each child's name is mentioned.

Valentine
Here is a valentine.
I made it just for you.
With paper and ribbons
And lots of Elmer's glue!
I cut it with my scissors
And designed it with my paint.
If I tell you that I love you,
Do you promise not to faint?

Valentine Poem
5 little valentines just for you
The first one says, "My love is true."
The second one says, "You have my heart."The third one says, "Let us never part."
The fourth one says, "Won't you please be mine?"
The fifth one says, "'Til the end of time."

I'll Make A Valentine
Sung to London Bridge
I'll make a bright red valentine,
Valentine, valentine.
I'll make a bright red valentine,
And give it right to you.
I'll trim it with lace and bows,
Lace and bows, lace and bows.
I'll trim it with lace and bows,
And give it right to you.

Be My Valentine
Sung to: Mary Had a Little Lamb
You're a special friend of mine,
Friend of mine, friend of mine.
You're a special friend of mine.
Be my Valentine!

Valentines Say I Love You
Sung to: London Bridge
Valentines say I love you,
I love you, I love you.
Valentines say I love you
Yes, I really do.

I've Got a Big Red Heart
Sung to: For He's a Jolly Good Fellow
I've got a big red heart
That I will give to you.
It brings you love and kisses,
Because you are my friend.

Yes, This is a Special Day
Sung to: Oh Dear, What can the Matter Be?
Yes, yes, this is a special day,
Yes, yes, this is a special day,
Yes, yes, this is a special day,
I can give hearts to my friends.

H-E-A-R-T
Sung to: Bingo
To show you like your special friends,
Just give them each a heart.
H-E-A-R-T, H-E-A-R-T,
H-E-A-R-T,
Each heart says I like you!

Three Valentines
Sung To: Mary Had a Little Lamb
Three valentines I have for you,
Have for you, have for you.
Three valentines I have for you,
Pink and red and blue.
I'll put them in the mail for you,
Mail for you, mail for you.
I'll put them in the mail for you,
Pink and red and blue.

All the Time
Sung to: Oh, My Darling Clementine
I love you, I love you,
I love you all the time.
And I hope, oh yes I hope
You will be my valentine
I love you , I love you,
I love you night and day.
And I hope, oh yes, I hope
You will love me the same way.

I Love You
Sung to: Mary had a Little Lamb
Suzy, Suzy, I love you,
I love you, yes I do.
Suzy, Suzy, I love you,
Yes I do.
Substitute the names of your children for the names in the song.

Write a Letter
Sung to: A-Tisket, A-Tasket
I love you, I love you,
This is what I must do,
Write a letter to you, love,
And tell you that I love you!
I love you, I love you,
This is what I hope you do,
Write a letter back to me,
And sign it I love you.

A Great Big Hug
Sung to: The Wheels on the Bus
Oh, I just love your hugs and kisses,
Hugs and kisses, hugs and kisses.
Oh, I just love you hugs and kisses,
Come and give me some.
A great big hug and lots of kisses,
Lots of kisses, lots of kisses.
A great big hug and lots of kisses,
Ready? Here I come!

Hugs and Kisses
Sung to: My Bonnie Lie over the Ocean
My mother says, "I love you"
My father, "I love you, too."
I give them hugs and kisses,
'Cause I love them, too!
Hugs and kisses
Hugs and kisses, I love you.
Hugs and kisses,
Hugs and kisses for you.

Everywhere
Sung to: The Caissons Go Rolling Along
Hugs here, kisses there,
Hugs and kisses everywhere,
When it's time to say good-bye.
Hugs here, kisses there
Hugs and kisses everywhere,
When it's time to say good-bye.
Oh, it's kiss, kiss, kiss,
Anyone we're going to miss?
Hugs and kisses one last time,
Oh, we'll all sing this song,
When we have to move along,
Filled with hugs and kisses, good-bye.
_________________
Vicki

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Subject: Re: Valentines Day - Lesson Ideas Thu 07 Dec 2006, 7:37 am

Here's my Card
Sung to: Frere Jacques
Be my valentine, be my valentine,
Here's my card, here's my card.
It says, "I love you"
It says, "I love you"
Will you be my valentine?

Valentine
Sung to: Did you ever see a Lassie
Will you please be my valentine,
My valentine, my valentine?
Will you please be my valentine?
For I love you.
Here's hugs and kisses
And lots of wishes.
Will you please be my valentine?
For I love you.

Please Be Mine
Sung to: Pop Goes the Weasel
Here's a special card for you,
Will you please be mine?
It's filled with hugs and lots of love,
Be my valentine!

Be My Valentine
Sung to: Row Row, Row Your Boat
Yes, yes, I love you,
Be my valentine.
Here's a heart just for you,
Won't you please be mine?
Yes, yes, watch me close,
Watch me while I sign.
I love you, yes, I do,
Be my Valentine
Good Morning Valentine!
Today is Valentine's Day
Today is Valentine's Day
We love you and want to say,
"Happy Valentine's Day!"

Five Little Valentines
One little valentine said, "I love you."
Tommy made another; then there were two
Two little valentines, one for me;
Mary made another; then there were three.
Three little valentines said, "We need more."
Johnny made another; then there were four
Four little valentines, one more to arrive;
Susan made another; then there were five.
Five little valentines, all ready to say.
"Be my valentine on this happy day."

Five Valentines
Five cheerful valentines from the ten cent store-
I sent one to ____________; now I have four.
Four cheerful valentines, pretty ones to see-
I gave one to ____________; now I have three.
Three cheerful valentines with flowers pink and blue-
I gave one to ____________; now I have two.
Two cheerful valentines-my story's almost done.
I gave one to ______________; now I have one.
One cheerful valentine-one and only one-
I gave it to _______________; now I have none.
(Insert a child's name in each blank space.)

Valentine Number Line
(Make a number line of your floor for kids to count and walk on. Then make each of the hearts and glue to a popsickle stick).
Seven little valentines sitting on a shelf.
The first little valentine looked like an elf.
The second little valentine wore a clown's face.
The third little valentinee looked lovely in lace.
The fourth little valentine said, "Tonight we say good-bye."
The fifth little valentine started to cry.
The sixth little valentine said, "Won't you be mine?"
The seventh little valentine said, "I'll be your valentine".

I'm A Valentine for You
(She'll Be Coming Round the Mountain tune)
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you,(squeaky voice)
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you.
I'm a teeny tine valentine,
I'm always yours, will you be mine?
I'm a teeny tiny valentine for you.
I'm a medium size valentine for you, (normal voice)
I'm a medium size valentine for you.
I'm a medium size valentine,
I'm not too big and that's just fine.
I'm a medium size valentine for you.
I'm a great big valentine for you, (loud gruff voice)
I'm a great big valentine for you.
I'm a great big valentine,
I will love you all the time.
I'm a great big valentine for you.

I'm a Happy Little Heart
I'm a Little White Duck tune
I'm a happy little heart
Pink and white and red With lace aroudn my edge.
I have three words
On the front of me.
That say I love you,
Oh, can't you see?
That I'm a happy little heart
Pink and white and red,
Happy little heart.

Ten Little Valentines
One red, two red, three red Valentines Four red, five red, six red Valentines Seven red, eight red, nine red Valentines Ten little red Valentines.
*Give students numbered hearts(make sure to sit them in order) and have them stand up when their number is called). Then reverse the song and start with ten, and have them stand up; then sit down when their number is called*

I Love You
This Old Man Tune
I love you, you love me;
We're as happy as can be!
Here's a great big kiss
And a hug from me to you.
Won't you say you love me, too.
(Almost sounds like the Barney song!! We sing that one too!!!)

Yes, I Do
Three Blind Mice tune
I love you, I love you.(Do the I love you sign.)
Yes, I do, yes, I do.(Yes sign)
I love you every night and day(love you sign and day)
I love you when I work and play (love you sign and play)
I love you in so many ways ( love you sign and much sign)
I love you.(love sign)

Gifts of Love fingerplay
I couldn't buy a gift for you (put hands in pocket)
Because I am so very small.(point to yourself)
But I can give you some things-
The greatest gifts of all!(hold hands out)
I can give you kisses.(blow kisses)
I can give you hugs.(hug sign)
I can give you a big smile(smile)
And tell you that I love you!(sign love you)

Circle Time

Flying Hearts
Glue a red and a pink heart together back to back. Put this special heart plus about three dozen plain hearts in the center of an old bed sheet. The children hold onto all sides of the sheet and gently toss the hearts up and down. At the shout of "Hearts high!" the children toss the sheet high into the air, making the hearts fly. The child who picks up the most hearts and the one who finds the special pink and red heart are the winners.

Circle Time Heart Match Game
Make a valentine for half the number of children in the group. Cut each heart in half in a zigzag or swirly fashion, so that each cut is fairly unique and identifiable. Each child is given part of a heart and must find his/her partner by matching the valentine halves.

Postman, Postman
Everyone gets to participate in this game involving a hidden valentine. Choose one child to be postman and give him or her the postman's hat. (Red strip of paper with pink heart that says Postman.) The postman must hide his eyes while you give another child a valentine to hide behind their back. Then the postman uncovers his eyes and faces his classmates who say, "Postman, postman, where's the mail?" The postman gets three guesses to find out who is hiding the mail. If he guesses correctly, he continues as postman. If he guesses incorrectly, the person with the mail becomes the postman.

CRAFTS

Heart Puzzle
Cut a large heart from red or pink poster board. Cut into several pieces, making a puzzle.

Magnets
Use plaster of Paris or any dough that hardens. Pour into candy size paper baking cups. Let harden. Paint like a piece of candy. Glue a magnet strip on the back.

Mouse
Cut a large heart shape from construction paper. Glue a small length of yarn for a tail at the top of the heart but let it hang off of the heart. Fold in half like a teardrop. Stuff with a little cotton. Glue edges of heart shut all around. Tail should be hanging out. Cut a small heart for his ears. Fold heart in half. Glue on rounded part of big heart so they form an ear on each side. Add whiskers, eyes, and a little pink nose.

Pasta Fun
Dye different shaped pasta in food coloring and rubbing alcohol. Use shades of red and pink and then string or glue onto a heart shaped paper.

Contact Paper Fun
Cut a heart shape out of the middle of a paper plate. You will need the paper plate, not the heart shape. Cover the back of the plate with a piece of contact paper. Sticky side facing the front of the plate. Have a variety of cake sprinkles, ribbons, confetti, etc. for the kids to choose and decorate the sticky part of the contact paper.

Cupcake Stencils
Have children help bake cupcakes in pink paper liners and prepare white frosting. Show the class how to make pink frosting by adding red food coloring. Make paper stencils in heart and dove shapes. Let each child place a stencil on his frosted cupcake and sprinkle with red sugar crystals. Carefully remove the stencil to reveal a valentine.

Valentine Cards
Hang onto the advertisements from the Sunday paper and special inserts that have valentines day sales. Have the kids cut out valentines related pictures, and glue them onto a big red heart, or make them into valentines cards (fold a piece of construction paper in half and let them at it). You should be able to find pictures of flowers, boxes of candy shaped in hearts, etc.

Puffy Hearts
Cut out hearts from a paper bag. Cut two of each, and have the kids glue them together, leaving a small opening. Stuff the heart with fiber fill or Kleenex or fabric scraps, then glue the opening shut (don't stuff too much). Have the kids decorate with fabric scraps, old lace pieces, cutouts from doilies, ribbon, stickers, glitter, sequins, etc. If you make enough of these, and not too big, you can hot glue them to a cheap wreath and make a valentines wreath! Add a bow, some ribbon or raffia, and some valentines day pics to finish the look.

Recycled Hearts
Materials: Cardboard, wax paper, red tissue paper, string, glue, cooking oil, one hole punch, paint brush.
Cut the cardboard into a heart shaped frame. Cut out a wax paper to fit the frame. Tear tissue paper into small pieces (approx. inch square). Brush a generous amount of cooking oil over wax paper heart. Place tissue paper pieces on the oil until wax paper heart is completely covered. Glue tissue heart into the cardboard frame. Punch a hole at the top of the heart. Tie with a string for hanging.

Valentine Sticker Collage
Cut big red hearts out of construction paper. Give children Valentine stickers to put on the heart.

Valentine Collage
Each child has a piece of contact paper taped to the table. Provide them with Valentine tissue paper (red, white, and pink), ribbons (red, white, and pink), bows, paper hearts (red, white, and pink), pom poms (red, white, and pink), feathers (red, white, and pink), etc. to put on their collage.

Hanging Valentine
Make 2 huge hearts and let the children decorate them as desired. Staple edges together, leaving an opening, and stuff with scrap paper or newspaper. Staple edge completely. Streamers (pink, red, and white) can be attached to the bottom, a string or ribbon on top, and hang them up.

Valentine Bracelet
Make the bracelet from a strip of construction paper. Glue small hearts on the paper or use cute valentine stickers. Staple or glue the strip to fit over the child's wrist.

Sponge Heart Prints
Give each child a large heart cut from glossy paper and let them use a heart shaped sponge to paint heart prints on the paper.

Heart Lacing
Cut a large red heart shape from poster board. Punch holes around the perimeter using a hole punch. Let children lace yarn through holes.
Counting Hearts
Children can count the pre cut hearts from a basket.

Matching Hearts
Make several pairs of matching hearts. Have children find the matching pairs.

Heart Headband
Make a headband out of heavy paper for each child. Trace 2 heart cookie cutters onto pink or red construction paper for each child and let the children color and cut them out. Tape them to pipe cleaners to make antennae and attach to headband.

Heart Rubbings
Cut out different sizes of hearts from sandpaper. Tape hearts to table and lay a sheet of white typing paper over them. Use side of crayon to lightly rub over hearts, making a pattern on paper.

Heart StrawTrace and cut out heart from colored paper. Use a hole pinch and make 2 hole in center of heart, not side by side, but one under the other, about an inch or two apart. Thread a drinking straw into one hole and back out the other.

Make "squishy" bags: Add red and white paint to SEALED zip locked baggies. Let students rub bags to mix paint into pink. Let students discuss and tell their discoveries as it happens

Science

Colorful Carnations (science experiment)
Materials: Three fresh white carnations, warm water, knife, food coloring. Talk to the children about last valentines day (or a long time ago) and the present of white carnations you received. They were beautiful flowers, but you had wished for some red flowers, not white. "At the time I didn't know what to do, so I kept the white flowers and gave them plenty of fresh air, and new water every day. Nothing happened except the flowers got old and died. This year I found a way for the flowers to change color. Should we try it?" First give the flowers a new cut on the side. Then fill the vase with warm water and food coloring. Put the flowers in the water and wait. (try with different colors and wait for the colors to creep up into the flower).

Centers

Postal Center- If possible, try making a postal center in your housekeeping center. Try putting in a mail bag and hat, letters, envelopes, and stamps. Let the students take turns as the mail carrier and deliver letters to the rest of the students.

Stringing Center- Put out heart shaped, red, pink or other shaped/colored beads or macaroni. Let the students make necklaces for their "loved" ones (friends, family).

Sensory table- Place red shredded paper in your sensory table and hide hearts, letters, etc; Or place white packing pieces and hide red objects, or cupids, etc;

Tracing Center- Put out various sized heart, lips, vupids, xx and oo cutters or stencils. Let the children trace them onto paper. You can also put out different "love" themed stickers, for the children to stick on their tracings.

Another idea is to tape hearts or themed cut-outs to the tracing table, and place paper over them, for children to make rubbings.

Playdoh table- Put out red, pink, and white playdoh, along with "love" themed cookie cutters.

Matching Heart- Make various sized and patterned hearts, and let children match them. You can also use these to make patterns.

Heart puzzles- Make different type of decorated hearts or cupids and laminate; then cut them into puzzles. Let the children try to put them together. I provide the children with a whole-piece picture of the puzzle, so they can have something to model after.
_________________
Vicki

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