ValentiMe's Day

We celebrated Valentine's Day on February 13th. The kids were so excited that in the "Good News" beginning of our day, they told me it was ValentiMe's Day at least eight times. I explained that the 13th was the day we were celebrating Valentine's Day, but their declarations of "It's ValentiMe's Day!" continued. They made graphs with candy hearts for math, decorated cookies, and spelled Valentine words using the phonics knowledge they've developed over the course of the year thus far.

The spelling they are able to manage at this is quite impressive. I've often been pleasantly surprised at how much this kindergarten is more like first grade. On the one hand, it's difficult for me because the emphasis on academics is sometimes stronger than I'm comfortable with for five-year-olds, but on the other hand, I know I'm getting valuable experience that would enable me to teach first grade in the future, a prospect that before, I didn't feel I was quite ready for, since first grade is the year students typically learn to read. With varying levels of ability in both classes, it's almost like teaching a K/1st split sometimes, and I enjoy it.

During our Valentine's Day celebration, the kids also made bags in which to collect their Valentines. Then, they lined up in a train and went up and down the rows dropping Valentines in each other's creations. One of my friends didn't have Valentines, but Mrs. Grimm swooped right in and assured her that it was ok; she could still collect Valentines. We quickly decided together that I would sit and make them with her, since Amy had extra cards and I had extra candy. I sat with this little girl as she made her Valentines and I was thankful she could still be part of the celebration.

All in all, it was fun and encouraging to see our students so excited by dressing in pink and red, and Valentine cards and candy. It was a Valentine's Day that did not feel overdone or commercial, just full of the simple joys of giving and receiving little gifts.