Happy Valentine's Day

Every year we celebrate Valentine’s Day and there are always cards and candy aplenty!  This year I searched for a way to make it more meaningful. 
I NEVER give candy – they get GOBS!  So, I wasn’t going to fold on that!  It’s been my practice each year to make my students read each Valentine and deliberately walk over to the person who gave it and say, “Thank you!”  We are losing our ability to truly communicate with each other! So, I wasn't changing that either.
Still at a loss, I sat back and watched as our little "Valentine" party unfolded!  Little did I know, I didn’t have to do much to make this event special for my first graders!  Watching them open their Valentine’s through my student teacher’s eyes was priceless!  As they came to her to show her their “booty,” she tirelessly oooh’d and ahhhh’d and gushed!  THEY ATE IT UP!  It was so refreshing to see her smile, hear them laugh, and I naturally joined in!
But still, I hadn't thought/found anything to make things JUST RIGHT!  After racking my brain and pouring over pinterest (thank GOD for pinterest) I FOUND IT!  This year, I will take the Valentines that my firsties give to me and put them in a book.  The Valentines stay in the forefront for a bit longer and students get to reminisce whenever they wish!  Plus, the environmental print is PERFECT!  Thank you to Miss McMorrow at foreverin1st.blogspot.com - who came up with this idea! 

The adorable cover poem

Just a few of the Valentines I received this year!

A few more