UPDATE 1/26/2021 – Here is my up-to-date Wakelet collection of Valentine’s Day resources.
According to the Origami Resource Center, Puzzle Purses have been around for centuries in several different cultures. In Victorian times, they became a Valentine tradition. You can find specific directions, along with diagrams, for folding your own puzzle purse, here. As an additional challenge, your students can also create the poetry that goes inside.
The Doodle 4 Google contest is up and running, and I love the theme for this year. It’s, “If I could travel in time, I’d visit…” It’s open to all K-12 students in U.S. schools, and there are some really amazing prizes, including a Google Chromebook. If you know a student who is an aspiring artist, be sure to have him or her submit an entry by March 23rd. To inspire your students, you might want to head over to this link, where some art students created some Art History Google pieces.
Oh wow. I know that it is hard to find 15 minutes in your day to watch an animated film, but you truly must make the time for this one – especially if you are a lover of books. This Oscar-nominated short is stunning in graphics and in its message. My students will be having a discussion about the impact of Gutenberg next week, and I fully intend to incorporate this video into the lesson. It is beautiful and inspiring. Bravo to the animation shop, Moonbot Studios for this truly amazing video. (If the embedded video does not work, you can view it at http://vimeo.com/35404908. You can also download the video FOR FREE from iTunes. There is an accompanying app for $4.99, which I have not yet previewed.)
UPDATE 9/28/16: Unfortunately, the film is no longer available for free 🙁 You can download it from iTunes for $4.99. It is a beautiful video, and I wish it could still be viewed by everyone…
Although I have not participated in these Synergy challenges before, the e-mail from them in my mailbox the other day intrigued me. I think that students would be excited by the Winter Challenge, which is to design and produce a game. The deadline is April 1, 2012. There is no entry fee. See the website for the rules and a great rubric that you might want to download even if you aren’t planning to enter the contest!
UPDATE 1/26/2021 – Here is my up-to-date Wakelet collection of Valentine’s Day resources.
Jim Dine, one of the artists responsible for the Pop Art movement, was the inspiration behind this Valentine Heart Painting posted by Kathy Barbro on her blog, Art Projects for Kids. With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, this would be a wonderful art lesson that will result in beautiful classroom decor! Kathy gives detailed instructions and a template to download. Do a “valentine” search on her site for even more fabulous ideas!
The mysterious Fibonacci pattern can be a great way to hook students into both math and science. Here is a fun video from YouTube that shows the connection, and a link to some Fibonacci lesson plans integrating music.
Direct YouTube Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahXIMUkSXX0