​When I looked for a picture of the Valentine cards I remember giving when I was in elementary school I had to use the search term "vintage". Boy am I dating myself! Every card was printed on sturdy thin cardboard and no two were the same. They all had to be cut out by hand and one had to be very selective who received which card lest the message conveyed something unintentional. I remember spending hours cutting, choosing the perfect beneficiary, and laboriously printing names the night before Valentine's Day. No fancy stickers, toys, lollipops or candies involved, just homemade chocolate cupcakes with sprinkles to share with the class.
For most of Team Awesome this will be their first experience with Valentine's Day and cards and the children will only have a vague idea what its all about. We will be doing some activities like crafts with hearts throughout the week but of course will go all-out on the 14th. Please make sure the 'From' part on Valentine cards are filled in before coming to class as we will not have time on Monday to do that. Please leave off the name beside 'To' as it makes the cards easier to hand out. We have 35 children in our class this year. Have your child bring their valentines in their zipper bag and then put the zipper bag in its usual box in the morning so they don't get lost/ crunched- we will hand them out after lunch.
Unfortunately there are rules around what is allowed to be given out this year. Sharing of food of any kind including, but not limited to, individual exchange or communal sharing of chocolates, cupcakes, candy, treats that come with Valentine’s day cards, treats that are prepackaged and/ or are individually wrapped is not allowed. If you have any questions, please contact us.

​​​Mathematics is the science and language of patterns. Thinking about sorting and patterns helps children make sense of mathematics and young children are naturally interested in them. They enjoy patterns in rhymes, chants, songs, poems, and stories, and they experiment with creating patterns using play materials. They examine patterns in wallpaper, fabric, and geometric designs, and recognize patterns in their lives (e.g., the sequence of daily routines) and in nature (e.g., the cycle of the seasons). When students enter school, they continue to explore patterns in mathematics and in other subject areas. Developing an understanding of patterns and relationships is central to learning mathematics. In the primary grades, students identify, extend, and create a variety of patterns, using objects, actions, sounds, pictures, letters, and numbers. Through experiences in exploring and discussing patterns, young students begin to make conjectures and generalizations about mathematical relationships. Team Awesome has been using a variety of materials while exploring sorting and patterning activities and having a great time doing it.

Sometimes it seems as if winter, and the crazy-making endless inside activities, will never end. Here are some super-simple, screen-free, joy-inducing activity ideas to help your kids — and the whole family — while away the hours. And days. And weeks.​