Happy Valentine's Day!
How did we celebrate in Hong Kong? Here are some quick and easy ways I introduce Valentine's Day to my little Hong Kongers.
When I went to elementary school in South Carolina, Valentine's Day was a BIG deal. Everyone handed got to make miniature mailboxes from their parents' discarded coffee tins, adorning desks. On the 14th of February, we went to each desk, depositing our personalized cards into each box. Afterwards, we excitedly returned to our own mailboxes, eager to read the 26 Valentine's cards hidden inside. If you were lucky, you even got some candy.
You might be thinking, 'yes, I know what happens in a classroom on Valentine's Day. But in Hong Kong, children are not accustomed to these celebrations. For one, there is a Chinese Valentine's Day, or Qixi Festival, which is on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar. February 14th can also happen around the same time as Chinese New Year, which is a very important and highly celebrated holiday.
Yes, you will see adults celebrating the 14th and flower shops sold out. Here it seems to be an adult only holiday, unless you are in my classroom! All schools were closed the week of the 14th to celebrate Chinese New Year with their families. (Of course, I wasn't too heartbroken to have a break in Bali.)
So these 4 and 5 year olds just had to celebrate early! February 6 is just as good.
Here are some quick and easy ways I bring Valentine's to my little Hong Kongers. In my opinion, these are great to do year around!
Sight Word Hearts
Sight Word Hearts
I my opinion, this is great year around. I love a good find your match game. Plus the prep time does not take much time.
Cut out hearts.
Cut those hearts in half. I like to cut them in half in different ways for more fun, and for some differentiation.
Write the same sight word on each heart half.
Once those heart halves are handed out to each student, they stand up and try to find the other half to their heart. For some students still struggling to identify sight words, they are also able to see if their heart fits like a puzzle.
This is also a great table center after playing as a group. Stick one half of the hearts with a sight word to a table (we use 3M) and the other half in a basket. The students can read and match the snap words, and of course, completing the heart.
Sight Word Hearts Center
Write the Room Hearts
Place sight word hearts around the room, students walk around to find them, and write them in the hearts on their work sheet.
Will upload a printable to go with these activities soon!