Valentine’s Day Box Awards

February is creeping towards us at an alarming rate!  I know it is hard to believe (especially in the Midwest where temps have reached almost 60 degrees!).  It is time for pink, red, flowers and lace. It is time for candy conversation hearts and valentines.  My students have always enjoyed celebrating Valentine’s Day- no matter what their age.  For the past few years I have had them create their own Valentine’s Day Box to house the cards they exchange with each other on that special day.  Last year I had the boxes on display in the morning and had my students fill out ballots to vote on the boxes.  Then, while they were at their special class, I tallied the results and filled out an award for each student.   Here are a few of the cute and clever boxes my students came up with last year. 

About a week before Valentine’s Day, I send home my letter to parents that explains the project.  Most students use a shoe box, but as you can see from the picture, some go a little larger!  After purchasing some adorable hearts graphics and pretty valentine paper I have revamped my certificates for this year and have them available for purchase in my TPT store.  Here’s an example of one:

My set includes 24 custom awards, 1 blank award to customize, class ballot forms, a letter to send home that describes the project and candy heart number cards to put on each box for voting.  The set will be revised each year with the proper date.  Check it out! 

Making a good impression!

We have been studying fossils this week and spent some time discussing the definition of a cast, a mold and an imprint. As a culminating activity each child made their own imprint of an object found in nature. Before they made their own imprint- I shared 3 different examples: a ring, a key and a fork. Then I asked them to record what each imprint will show future people about how we lived. You can get the recording sheet by clicking on the picture.

Here is the recipe to make your salt dough if you want your students to try this activity:

• 4 cups of all purpose flour


• 1 cup of salt


• 1 and a half cups of water


• bowl

Mix the above ingredients in the bowl until dough forms. Add extra water a little bit at time if needed if the dough is too dry.

Give each student a small ball of dough and have them flatten it on wax paper. Students will gently press their object of choice into the dough. Have your students carve their initials into the dough before collecting. Place the creations on a cookie sheet (take off the wax paper) and bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. This will harden the dough and make the lasting impression! Have fun!!