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Considering the many assignments and tasks we give students over the course of a semester, don’t be that teacher that doesn’t allow any fun in the classrooms. An easy way to sprinkle in some sparkle for your secondary students this Valentine's Day. Not only will you be giving the kids a little break to recharge-- but you'll be building a classroom community through engaging lessons and activities.
Modern students are typically grateful when as teachers we keep it real with them-- so start the class with sharing the history of Valentine’s Day and transition into the fun afterwards. `
Consider showing students this video on YouTube that covers the history of Valentine's Day and grab this freebie: a video guide.
Now, keep reading to learn about why we should celebrate the holiday and even a few ways to incorporate Valentine’s Day activities into the classroom for middle and high school students.
I know the students are getting crazy right now-- may the odds be ever in your favor. I hope there's something you can takeaway from this to make one of your days a little easier and bring some positive vibes to your classroom.
The history of Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day has a rich history that dates back to ancient Rome. The holiday was originally a celebration of a Roman festival called Lupercalia, which was held in mid-February and was meant to celebrate fertility and the coming of spring. During the festival, men would draw the names of women from a hat and then spend the next few weeks paired up with their chosen partner.
As Christianity became more popular in Rome, the church attempted to replace the pagan festival with a Christian one. They chose St. Valentine, a Christian martyr who lived during the third century, as the patron saint of the holiday. It was said that Saint Valentine secretly performed marriages for soldiers who were forbidden to marry, by the Roman Empire.
Over time, Valentine's Day became more and more associated with romantic love and the exchange of gifts, such as chocolates, flowers, and cards. Today, Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world and is especially popular among young people and couples.
How to Celebrate Valentine's day In The Classroom
Valentine's Day is a special occasion that is celebrated every year on February 14th. It is a day to show love and appreciation to the important people in our lives, including our students. As a teacher, you can use this holiday as an opportunity to create a fun and engaging classroom experience for your students.
One way to celebrate Valentine's Day in the classroom is to have students create and exchange valentines with one another. This activity allows students to express their creativity and to practice their writing skills. Additionally, it is a great way to foster a sense of community within the classroom. You can provide students with materials such as construction paper, markers, and stickers, and encourage them to create their own valentines.
Another way to celebrate Valentine's Day in the classroom is to have a class party. This can be a great way for students to relax, have fun, and socialize with their classmates. You can serve Valentine-themed snacks, play games, and have a special activity or craft for the students to participate in.
Additionally, you can also include a Valentine’s Day-themed lesson or activity that brings in an educational element. You could do a reading and writing exercise where the students compose a short story or poem about love and friendship, or you could have the students learn about the history and cultural significance of Valentine's Day.
Here's some of my favorite Valentine's Day Activities.
You can also get access to all of the above activities for free with a five day trial to my VIP Monthly Membership.
It's also important to note that Valentine's Day celebrations should be inclusive and respectful of all students and families. Consider cultural sensitivity and provide alternative activities or non-romantic options.
Need some more ideas?
Valentine's Day Card Exchange: Encourage students to create and exchange Valentine's Day cards with one another, either in a traditional paper format or digitally. This can be a fun and low-pressure way for students to interact and get to know one another.
Love Poetry Writing Activity: Have students write their own love poems or analyze famous love poetry as a class.
Secret Valentine: Organize a Secret Valentine exchange where students draw names and then anonymously give small gifts or messages to their secret valentine throughout the week leading up to Valentine's Day.
Collaborative Valentine's Day Craft: Have students work together in small groups to create a collaborative Valentine's Day-themed craft or art project.
Movie Day: Show a romantic comedy or a classic love story in class and hold a class discussion afterwards about the themes and messages of the film.
Feel free to take any of these ideas and put a personal spin on them to meet the needs of your students.
Remember it’s our first duty to love on the kids and second to teach them. Have some fun with them this Valentine’s Day-- you never know who is sad to not have a Valentine or will have a crappy night at home tonight.
XoXo,
Hugs, Love, and Lots of Kisses.
Cheers,
Ty Tiger | Kinda Sorta Teacher