READ
IT Read to your children Amos and Boris by William Steig. Discuss
with them this story of friendship, courage, and character. Invite
children to help you list some characteristics that make the friendship
between Amos and Boris special.
MAKE HEART NECKLACES In advance, prepare heart shapes that are about two inches in
height. Give each child six hearts. Invite children to decorate their
hearts. Then encourage children to exchange their hearts with their
classmates. Be sure when the exchange is complete that each child still
has six hearts. Help students string their hearts on twine, narrow ribbon,
or yarn to create necklaces. Remind children that their necklaces
represent their friends at school.
COUNT HEARTS Prepare about 100 paper hearts. Hide the hearts around the
classroom. Divide the students into small groups. Encourage groups to find
as many hearts as they can. Then have groups return to their tables to
count how many hearts they have. Children can also work cooperatively to
demonstrate simple number sentences using their hearts.
HAVE A HEART RELAY Don’t forget the body’s heart! Divide your children into two
teams, reminding them that teams work together. Give each team a large
heart-shaped pillow. Have one child from each team place the pillow
between his or her legs and hop to the end of the room and back. Repeat
for each team member until everyone has a turn.
CREATE A QUILT OF HEARTS Cut large hearts from many kinds of fabric. Cut each heart into
three sections. (Each heart should be cut on the same lines so that hearts
have identical parts.) Give each child a heart and encourage children to
trade heart sections with others for a patchwork look. Help children glue
their patchwork hearts on a square of colored poster board. Hang the
squares on a bulletin board to create a heart quilt. Remind students that
each of their squares contributes to the final large creation.
ON
THE WEB
Check out the following Web sites for more background and activities.
THIS
MONTH'S THEME: HEARTS
READ
IT
Hearts
(A Storybook)