I created some simple heart-shaped flash cards of high frequency words for one of my favorite valentine children's books; ‘Guess How Much I Love You’ by Sam McBratney.
We have the story time or classroom size version that is about 18 inches tall. We also own the board book. This is a classic that you’ll want in your home library or classroom. The pictures are simple and relaxing and the text is memorable.
As I read books with my kindergartner I like to have him read the high frequency words while I read the more challenging words. It works best if I review the words before we read the book. Then he is familiar with them and doesn’t struggle so much during the story.
For this book we reviewed the words, then I had him find the matching word in the book the second time we read it.
This Post includes: A Musical Valentine Mailbox A Vintage Phone Valentine Mailbox An MP3 Player Valentine Candy Box A Cell Phone Text & Treat (i just called 2 say i luv u)
Musical Valentine Mailbox:
Go to your local greeting card shop and find the musical cards, the ones that play a song when you open it.
I found one that played "She's a Brick House" and I thought, "I can make a brick house out of a box and make the card into a door." So I had my kids help me put it together. This was for my husband to take to work for a Valentine Box contest. Go find a cute card and make your own mailbox with a door.
See the video of how the music plays when you open the door to put a valentine note inside.
Vintage Phone Valentine Mailbox:
My Prize Winning Box. When I was in 3rd grade my mom helped me make a valentine box that won first place in my grade and got my picture in the school district paper. Woot! I'll always remember that box. It was designed like an old fashioned phone and said "I Just Called to Say I Love You," the words of the famous song by Stevie Wonder. Here it is (ignore my hair, it was the 80's):
MP3 Player Valentine Candy Box:
I found this super cute idea to make MP3 players out of candy boxes from Erin who blogs at Making Memories. She posted a tutorial to make them with a link to Family Fun where you can print off a play list of more modern songs or type in your own play list. I decided to type in some children's church songs for our Primary. I also used bell shaped chocolate candy instead of the mini Reeses for the ear phones. This was super quick and easy to make. Click here for more details on the Valentine MP3 Player.
Cell Phone Text & Treat (Valentine Candy Box):
After seeing the ipod Valentine Candy Box I was inspired to create a more modern phone version of my 3rd grade Valentine Box. I found the clipart for the cell phone at Clker. Then I made several changes and added the text message "i just called 2 say i luv u".
I put these in a pdf document so you can print your own and cut it as a strip to wrap around a candy heart box or cut just the phone area and glue to the top of a candy box. I also included one with a blank screen so you could make your own text message, and I left space for you to sign your name. PDF of Valentine Cell Phone Text Message from ObSEUSSed. Or try this PDF link.
Here are a few of our favorite Valentine books to share with your kids. Find them at the library, then if you like them, grab a copy at your local book shop or online. Our kids love the Froggy's First Kiss by Jonathan London. He is so funny falling for Frogilina. Happy Valentine's Day (next month)!
