Class Valentine's Day cards: love 'em or hate 'em?
I've got to admit, I'm happy that my boys don't want to fill out Valentine's Day cards for their classmates this year. Both decided, separately, that they didn't want to have to sign cards for people they didn't really like in their classes (in each case, it's one kid in particular). This saves me from having to buy cheap little cards and get them to sign their name for 20 kids apiece; in the past, they've always started out strong and then realized about halfway through that this activity really isn't so fun. Last year, my boys didn't even look at the cards they brought home from classmates, although they did pick out the ones with candy and were on a massive sugar high before they got off the school bus. So into the trash they went. I realize that some children enjoy exchanging the cards and reading over them, and I'd never change the rule that kids need to bring cards for every child in a class if they choose to hand out cards. But for my boys, it has just seemed like a time drain. Would it be better if kids each drew the name of one classmate out of a hat, and then created a personalized Valentine with a written area on what they like about that classmate? They'd still be practicing their writings skills and the act of being thoughtful, and each child would be bringing home a special keepsake. Just an idea! As long as doing cards is optional, though, I have no problem with it.
Valentine's Tree
This year I have decided to make a Valentine's Tree at home. Each day we make homemade hearts out of construction paper, glitter, ribbon, and write on the craft all the people we love and respect. Also writing qualities we admire and wonderful blessings we have. This is a great alternative to "Romantic Love" and a day full of chocolate for children. I did use our Christmas Tree this time but next Valentines I will try the 4ft tree,lol. This is a wonderful activity for the classroom. Today I will be buying the heart shape sticker posted notes to put on my students with a special quality I LOVE about them. Try it with your coworkers and staff or send your children off to school with 100 sticky notes stuck to them. THATS A WHOLE LOTTA LOVE!!
Alicia Baldwin
Relax Kids Instructor
Perhaps I'm the unromantic...
...but I doubt that my son's kindergarten class would mind if they skipped the valentine exchange. It seems rather silly to me that a school would celebrate a holiday based on romantic love. But if there has to be an exchange of valentine's all kids should get one. Without candy.
Valentine's Day Goodies
My son's class asks that enough cards are sent in for all classmates, names on cards optional. They also ask that parents send in one bag of treats/candy so that the kids can put together goodie bags as a class. Not a bad idea.
I teach early childhood special education in an urban school district. Though our school is not TItle I, the demographics are very close: most of the kids come from low-income homes. This year I supplied a list of classmates if parents wanted to send in Valentines. I also let them know that my assistant and I would be giving each child a Valentine and a treat bag. I wanted to take some pressure off with respect to "having to" send in treats/cards.
~Maura Alia Badji
www.moxiebee.wordpress.com (my blog)
www.eatdrinkmemory.com (contributing writer)
www.skirt.com/user/5529(contributing skirt!setter under MoxieBee)
Maura, You are so sweet. I
Maura,
You are so sweet. I know other teachers do things like this to help out students and parents. I imagine it cuts into your money -- thank you for caring about the kids so much!
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
School Valentines
I only have two problems with school Valentine exchange. The first, already mentioned, is the candy that some kids bring. While my children do not have a problem with sugar and dyes, it can affects some children really bad. I always appreciate when someone asks me if it is okay if they offer my child candy, but in this case, no one is checking with us - the parents. But my main problem is that when we buy school valentines, we are forced to support Disney and other media moguls. We looked in several places last year and two places this year for regular Valentines - the kind with puppies and kitties. The only ones available are Disney characters or cartoon network. Since when does Valentine's Day mean Nemo and Tinker Bell?
Susan Smigielski Acker
Our school asks that every
Our school asks that every child who gives out cards gives one to every child -- which makes sense to avoid hurt feelings. I didn't realize it the first year, but most parents include a little candy or sticker with each card, too. So of course my kids had to do the same thing. I thought it was a bit much at first but they really like it, so we go for it now. I can only imagine what it'll be like when we have grandchildren -- will kids be exchanging boxes of candy then? It might be OK if my grandkids share with me.
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
optional?
cards are optional for your kids? well, I guess they are for mine, but I never really realized we had a choice, either all or nothing. I'd feel bad about my kids bringing home cards that their classmates agonized over signing and they didn't give out any, so they're kind of required at our house. I usually do something like pencils with the cards though, so it means more than a cheap card rectangle. I love your sentiment idea, I remember actually making cards for my classmates decades ago with doilies and construction paper, not works of art by any stretch but a lot more meaningful!
Michelle Galvez, Community Editor