Okay, I admit it - I make mine.

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Home : 2008 : February : 7

Okay, I admit it - I make mine.
By heart4kids

I make a huge gawdy heart-shape from a decoration that I have. I paste a decorative white paper in the middle that says, "Years from now I will remember you as more than a student of mine. I see something special in you
that I'll share in this Valentine." I don't know if these are the exact words because my tub is at school. It is typed in a poem format with space at the bottom for me to write.

In the 15 or so years I have done this, there has only been one or two children that I've had to pause to sum up something positive to say. I always make extras in case I flub up and carefully check

my list so no one is left out. On years that I have fewer students, I even make a double batch of the Valentines and save them (without the comments of course!) for the next year.

There are kids who many years later tell me theirs is a keepsake. Once a student told me, "Wow! I have one to put in my room like my sister does." Parents appreciate the attention their child gets and I think there is a good chance that at least half are kept. And yes, there will be one in the trash by the end of the party by a child who does not value the work. It is still worth it to me.

I do the project after school as the glitter thing is so messy and I have more open surfaces. Then I arrive early the next day, stack the dried ones and no child ever knows ahead of time!