Monthly Wooden Block

       This photo is a sample of the September Block.  See below for information on how to make the Cupid or Lincoln Block for February!

 I have had so many requests for special directions and patterns for the "Monthly Blocks" that I am going to be making these available to those who are interested in purchasing this resource.  You will be provided with full colored pictures, patterns and detailed directions.  There is a different character for each of the months from September through May.   

An on line link will be provided to access the directions and patterns.  Please make sure you provide the correct email address for me to be able to send you this link.  There are no shipping charges since this is a digital link.  You will be able to start your projects as soon as you receive this link.

The blocks that the children make use a 2x4x6 inch piece of wood.  They last forever and will be a family treasure for many, many years to come.  Many parents tell me that they still have all of the blocks and use them each year!  You could also use these blocks for your Cub Scouts or Brownies.  The whole year of crafts!

 You will receive detailed directions to make the following:

September—Apple man ( see sample)

October   Pumpkin man

November  Turkey

December  Reindeer

January  Snowman

February  2 different blocks for Feb--Cupid and Abe Lincoln

March  Leprechaun

April   Bunny

May  Bee

This is a great time to get started.  I will provide the link for you as soon as I receive payment for you to be able to get started right away on your monthly blocks!!  The cost will be $9.99 with no shipping charges.  If you would like to pay with a credit card, click below on the link.  If you would like to pay by check, you may mail a check for $9.99 to:

Linda Critchell
5361 Sisson Drive
Huntington Beach, CA 92649
 

                                  Thanks!   J

Valentine Bulletin Board  

         "Weaving in Kindness!"

This is a bulletin board that I love each February.  I cut a very large, white heart approximately 4 feet across and 3 long using butcher paper.  I folded this heart and measured about every 2 inches and cut a slit across (horizontal cuts)  from the top of the point of the heart to about 5 inches from the tip of the heart. Then I weave red and pink strips of butcher paper in and out vertically to create the checkerboard effect. Each child makes a portrait of themselves to put around the heart.  We used yarn and craft doll hair.  We also used different shades of paper for skin tones.  

Scalloped Cone

This is a little cone that can be used to put Valentine cards or treats inside.  There is a pattern that I have not been successful in scanning.  If you would like a pattern, please email me and I will attempt to scan it again.  I apologize for the poor copy, but it was the best I could get on the scanner!  Click to enlarge.

Plastic Heart Pendant or Ornament

These plastic hearts were purchased at the local craft store to make necklaces.  They open up to hold treats or whatever you would like.   We used BioColor paint purchased from Discount School Supply.  Each child put several drops of pink, white and/or red inside the heart.  We closed it very carefully and then they shook the heart to make the paint spread all over and marbleize.  Each one was very unique but very pretty.  We attached a red cord for each child to wear around his/her neck. 

I Gave a Hundred Valentines

This is a little valentine that the children can make, or you could make to give to them as a Valentine.  A large and a small heart are put together to make a bird with eyes and beak.  The poem is glued to the center.  A small bag  of bird seeds is attached to the bottom.  I used red nylon netting with heart ribbon for mine. 

Poem: 

I Gave a Hundred Valentines
A Hundred did I say?
I gave a thousand valentines
One cold and wintry day.
I didn't put my name on them,
Or any other words
Because my valentines were seeds
For February birds!   

Valentine Wreath

This wreath was made using a white paper plate.  The center was cut out and the hearts attached around the outside.  We used red, white and pink hearts and decorated each heart  with contrasting crayon designs.  A crepe paper bow was attached at the top. 

Valentine Containers

Click on the picture to see four samples of the containers that we made for our Valentine cards. 

We used a 3 pound coffee can and had a parent drill a hole on each side of the can.  You will need to be sure that there are no sharp edges left after drilling.  Then we bought a large roll of red, plastic covered wire cable at the hardware store for a handle.  This was attached at each side and bent to hold.  Then each child painted their can with pink or white acrylic paint.  We had the students use a sponge to paint their can.  Then when they were dry, we let them use different heart stamps to decorate with red or pink paint. 

Some of the children decided to paint one coat of white paint, then sponge paint another color on top and a third color was used for the hearts.  We used a combination of red, pink and white for all of the cans.  Everyone loved them and wanted to save them!

  Bottle Beastie Containers

Another idea for Valentine containers is to have the students make their container at home using a bottle.  We sent home the following letter as a homework assignment.  It was amazing to see so many creative ideas used to make the containers!

   Valentine Magnet

 We bought these candies after Valentine's Day at a great price.  We took out the candies and saved them for the following year to decorate.  Each child's picture was taken and cropped into a heart shape the same size as the heart in the center of the box of Conversation Heart Candy.  Magnet strips were glued to the back of the box.  The boxes make cute frames!

Valentine Story Paper

Use the heart paper to have each child finish the sentence "Love is_____."  They illustrate this at the top of the paper.  Then bind all of the stories into a book.  They love to read the book.  Click on heart to enlarge picture.

Kindergarten Sweeties!

Two large hearts were cut using red and white butcher paper.  Red lace was used for the outside border.  Since I had two classes of pictures to display, the heart was big.  Small candy paper cups were used to put each child's picture in the center of the candy cup to make it look like a big box of chocolate candy.  We used the title of "Kindergarten Sweeties" with a bear holding the heart.

Hanging Frilly Hearts

These hearts were made using several layers of newspaper.  You can make them any size that you would like!   The heart in the picture is about 15 inches long.  I cut each heart using at least 6-8 layers of newspaper.  Then I stapled them all around the outside,  leaving a small opening to stuff them.  I had at least three layers of newspaper on each side when stuffing the heart. This prevents it from getting too soggy when we painted them.  We used newspaper scraps to stuff!  Then we painted the hearts in red or pink.  After they were dry, we used white tissue paper (4 inch squares) to wrap around a pencil, dip in glue and stick to the outside edge of the heart.  We hung them from the lights with yarn.

Valentine Glyph

We made our glyphs according to the following directions.

1.  What's your favorite flavor ice cream

Chocolate= red heart
Strawberry= dark pink heart
Vanilla= light pink heart

2.  Do you like nuts?
Yes= red glitter
No= silver glitter

3.  What's your favorite topping?
Chocolate syrup= red stars
Carmel syrup= gold stars
Whipped cream= silver stars

4. How do you like your ice cream?
Sugar cone= blue dots
Waffle cone= yellow dots
Bowl= white dots

Valentine Crown

This is one the favorites each year!  It is such a simple thing to make, but they all love them.  Some of the kids wore their hats back to school the day after Valentine's Day!  They look really cute when everyone wears one for the  Valentine Party.  It is a simple red headband made from red or pink construction paper to fit each child's head.  Two strips of ( approx 18x 1 1/2 inch) white construction paper are attached to make the crown.  The children  cut out lots of hearts to attach to the crown and headband. 

Valentine Flower Pot Decoration

These flower pots were donated to our classes last year.  I am not sure we will be able to afford the pots again!  But, the pot was covered with small pieces of red fabric scraps.  (see close up below) The children painted the pot first with white glue, then they put the scrap of fabric (approx. 1 inch square cut with Pinking shears) on the pot and painted another coat of white glue over it.  The fabric was completely covered with white glue.  The pieces were overlapped.  This requires lots of adult help!  We used a small block of floral Styrofoam to put inside the pot.  We stuck in flowers, pieces of a foil floral garland, and red foil covered  chocolate candy  that were glued to a craft stick.  We also used a piece of floral wire that was bent in a spiral to hold a picture of each child in a heart shape!  The sample does not show the photo.  This is a close up of the pot.  This was all one fabric that was a Valentine quilt type fabric, but any red or pink fabric would do. This is a close up of the flower pot.

Melanie's Valentine Story

This is a great story that you tear the heart as you tell the story.  The kids love the story with the visuals.  Click on the heart above  for the directions and story!

Valentine Cards               

I love you....THIS MUCH!

The top photo is the outside of our Valentine card.  On the inside we put a picture of the child with outstretched arms with the words "THIS MUCH!"   See photo below.

Valentine Vests

 This vest was an idea shared by the new teacher next door, Miss Dunlap.  We made paper vests in red and white butcher paper for each child.  Then we used stickers, doilies, ribbons, lace, and anything red or pink to decorate.  Each child wears their vest home on Valentine's Day with the poem that is written on the front.  When the vest is opened, it looks like this.  The floor tiles are 12 inch squares-- just to give you an idea of the size of the vests. 

  This is a copy of the poem that is glued to the front of the Valentine vest!