EDCI 301: Creative Activity

Name: Kelsey N Activity Title: Valentines Day: What Do You Love? Grade(s): 1-8 Approximate Time of Activity: 10 minutes (with optional extension) Activity Summary The activity is for individual students to make Valentines for things or objects that they love or appreciate. We often celebrate Valentines Day to show how much we love people, but there are many other things we can show gratitude for as well. Each student will use construction paper (any color) or blank computer paper, scissors, and any type of writing utensil/coloring tool (markers, crayons, or colored pencils) to design their Valentine for an object that they love.

Activity Objective(s)

Students will use creative thinking to identify things/objects in their lives that they love or want to show gratitude for. Students will collaborate in pairs to discuss ideas and individually create a Valentine for an object/place/thing that they love.

Materials/Resources Examples/Visuals 3 sample Valentines Day cards Supplies One 9x12 piece of construction paper (any color) or 8 x 11 blank computer paper At least one of the following: Multicolored markers, crayons, or colored pencils Scissors

Optional Activity Variations *Use multiple pieces of construction paper, glue, glitter glue, buttons, stickers, or stamps to make Valentines Day cards more elaborate *Students can collaborate in small groups and form a whole class discussion to come up with ideas (this will help students that have trouble thinking outside the box) *Write a Valentine to yourself, saying what you love about yourself (used to increase the self-esteem/self-confidence of students in the classroom) *Write a Valentine to an important person in American History to express your gratitude for what they have done to influence America today

Instructional Sequence Set Up

Approximate Time (1 min)

Procedure The students will arrange desks and chairs so they are sitting in pairs. The teacher will distribute construction paper for those that need it. The teacher will open with two questions: Why do we celebrate Valentines Day? What are some different ways we can celebrate Valentines Day? The teacher will then explain that students will make Valentines Day cards for items or objects that they love or want to show gratitude for. The teacher will display examples of past Valentines for objects/places/things that express love and appreciation for things in our lives that are gifts to us. Talk with your neighbor about things/items that you love. Be creative in your thinking and discuss objects, places, or ideas that are outside the box. What in your lives are you thankful for and how does it feel to be truly appreciative? Remember there is no right or wrong object; make it apply to your life and share with your partner.

Introduction

(1-2 min)

Core Activity

(5 min)

The teacher will set the timer for 5 minutes. Students will begin by sharing ideas about what object, place, or idea that they would like to make a Valentines Day card for. Then students will individually make their Valentine using their supplies (construction paper/computer paper, scissors, and coloring utensils). If students are struggling to come up with an object, the teacher may ask questions to help stimulate ideas. When the timer runs out, students will explain and share their Valentine with their neighbor and the whole class (time permitting).

Closure/Reflection

(2 min)

The teacher will offer questions to reflect on the activity. These can include: What made this activity challenging? What did you enjoy or not enjoy about making a Valentine for an object, place or thing? How did sharing ideas with your neighbor help you to come up with an idea for your Valentine? How did this activity stimulate your creativity? Students will throw away scrap paper and put their supplies away.

Clean Up

(1 min)