How to Make a Valentine AND a Friend!

 

I have no input on how to get a valentine date or what to buy for valentine's gifts...but I do know a little about how to make a valentine. Aren't homemade valentines the best!? We were focusing on informational writing so I had my students write a procedural "how to" story...write it like a first grader who has never, ever made a valentine is going to read it and make a valentine.

We talked about sequence words, the sequence of the procedure, transitioning from one step to another, and being descriptive in our directions. We can't just say "cut out a heart", we have to describe HOW to cut out a heart. It really got their gears turning!

They worked VERY hard on this project, and their reward was joining up with a first grade class, making valentines with them, and giving the valentines to a local radio station to give to kids who need a little extra love on valentine's day. They worked so well with their first grade friends, and on the walk back to class they were already thinking of "directions" we could write for a St. Patrick's day project with our new little buddies. My students have such big hearts!

Here is a graphic organizer to help with this project.