I have mixed feelings about celebrating Valentine’s day in the classroom (mostly because it’s all chocolate and sugar and we all know what happens when our kids have too much chocolate and sugar) but I do like the concept of friendship and love for one another. Since all holidays in the classroom are filled with a bit of chaos, I’m sending no stress Valentine’s Day lesson plan ideas your way!
No Stress Valentine’s Day Lesson Plan Ideas
Read a Valentine’s Day Story
I’m sure other primary teachers can agree that it’s always nice to find a book where our students can relate to the characters. I love when a character has a problem that my kids might have. Then, I can talk about how the character solved their problem and can refer back to them if I ever find my students in the same problem.
I love the book The Biggest Valentine Ever by Steven Kroll because my students can relate to the characters’ problem. For those who haven’t read, this book is about two students (mice) who want to make a valentine for their teacher (Mrs. Mousely). As they’re making their valentine, the two start fighting because they don’t like the way the other is contributing. So, they go home and try to make their own valentine but find that something is missing because they can’t make part of the valentine like their friend could. The next day, they come back together and decide to try again. They end up making the biggest, most beautiful valentine for their teacher and her and the class love it!
This book is the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s day and refresh your student’s on what it means to be a good friend and working together.
Challenge your students to work together to create one valentine
Pair your students up (or let them choose their own partner if you’re feeling brave) and tell them they must create one valentine together (like Desmond and Clayton from The Biggest Valentine Ever).
Make a valentine out of something other than paper
Have students search the classroom to create a valentine out of something other than paper such as play-doh, legos, on a whiteboard etc. You could even take your class outside and so they can make a valentine out of leaves or sticks!
Decorate a Valentine’s Day bag for all their valentine’s
This is a practical idea if you need somewhere for all the valentines to go. I get plain white bags from Amazon and students get to decorate their valentine “mailbox” however they want. Then when we have our Valentine’s Day party, students deliver their valentines to their classmates bags.
Valentine’s Day Packet
Packets are an easy way to keep students occupied while still reviewing some important skills. I like to look on Teachers Pay Teachers for some themed math or literacy worksheets and I print a few and turn it in to a packet. In my class, students can earn a ticket when they finish the packet.
Valentine’s Day Write the Room
Write the rooms are such a fun way to celebrate a holiday or special theme while getting students up and moving! Students walk around the room and find the write the room cards. When they find the card, they match it to the recording sheet and write the word. This is a great way to expose them to new vocabulary as well!
With such a chaotic day, we all need some no stress Valentine’s Day lesson plan ideas. I hope these ideas make your Valentine’s Day less crazy! What are some of your favorite Valentine’s Day activities?
