Inside: This Valentine’s Day, fuse creativity and math education. Discover a printable Valentine’s Day craft for math and bulletin board ideas to engage your students.
A Crafty Connection
I love a good craft. And when I can find a way to tie an adorable craft into my regularly scheduled instruction? My teacher’s heart loves nothing better. (Well, almost nothing).
In my school, each classroom teacher had a big bulletin board out in the hallway, and we were expected to change up the student work every month. As I say it now… it doesn’t seem like all that big of a deal. But when I was a struggling classroom teacher, trying to juggle parent conferences, report cards, lesson planning, and prepping materials- putting up a bulletin board every month felt like yet another thing I had to do and it wasn’t something I particularly enjoyed. (If I’m being honest).
But, if you know me- then you know that I’m a perfectionist and that I can never seem to help myself. If I was going to do a bulletin board it needed to be right.
I wanted my board to look good, but also meaningful in terms of educational value. I wanted it to tie into what we were doing in the classroom. And if it could relate to the current season or approaching holiday- even better!
When Valentine’s Day came around a few years ago I knew I wanted to do something with a theme of love and hearts- but I also wanted it to be related to math. Using what I was currently doing on a day-to-day basis in my classroom was simply not an option. What was I going to do? Showcase a center recording sheet? Workbook pages? Hard pass. #realtalk
Yet, somehow I managed to come up with a simple and fun concept that ended up being one of my favorite bulletin boards of all time.
Table of Contents
Making It Work
Related facts are like the building blocks of mathematics, connecting numbers and operations in a way that helps students see the big picture.
Think of them as sets of equations in addition and subtraction or multiplication and division that use the same numbers, but shuffle them around a bit. For instance, if 3 + 5 = 8, then 8 – 3 = 5. Simple, right?
But here’s where it becomes magical: Teaching related facts doesn’t just help students play around with numbers; it creates a foundation for understanding how these operations intermingle and shape more complex mathematical ideas down the road.
It’s like giving them a key to unlock the doors of algebra, geometry, and beyond. By mastering related facts, students aren’t just learning to memorize; they’re learning to think, analyze, and truly comprehend the logic that makes math tick.
It’s not just about knowing the answers; it’s about understanding the why.
And since teaching related facts is such a big part of my first grade math instruction, I decided to find a way to create a fun Valentine’s Day craft for my students that would reinforce it.
A Valentine’s Day Craft: A Guide to Creating “Heartfelt” Mathematical Fun
Here’s a craft that is simple yet beautiful. Use heart-shaped petals to reinforce related facts and create a flower that’s perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day.
Materials Needed:
- Colored paper
- Gluesticks
- Scissors
- Pencils and/or Markers
Instructions (for Students):
- Cut heart-shaped petals from colored paper.
- Cut a circle from a different color of paper.
- Cut a stem (long rectangle) and leaves (ovals) from green paper.
- Choose 2 numbers to be the parts. Add them together to find the whole. (Alternatively, you could roll a die or spin a spinner to select numbers).
- Write the parts and the whole on the circle.
- Write a different related fact using the parts/whole on each petal.
- Glue the petals around the circle to form a flower on a sheet of construction paper. (Choose a color that will contrast with the color of the petals and the color of the stem).
- Add the stem and leaves.
- Write your name on the stem.
- Display!
This craft is not only perfect for Valentine’s Day but can also be adapted for spring and summer, adding to its appeal across different seasons.
If you want to make your life significantly easier, grab my Related Facts Flower Craft. It includes everything you need to have your students create their own sweet flower crafts. Plus, there are related math centers and a writing extension activity!
Beyond the Valentine’s Day Craft
The learning and fun don’t have to stop at the craft. Enhance the activity with additional math centers focusing on related facts. Understanding related facts is SUCH a foundational skill and students can use all the practice they can get with them.
Get your students engaged with my free, no-prep related facts math center that ties into the Valentine’s Day craft theme!
This stand-alone printable complements the craft, reinforcing understanding and offering a quick and easy way to bring festive Valentine’s Day-themed learning to your classroom.
Brighten Up Your Classroom with Fun Valentine’s Day Bulletin Board Ideas
Displaying the flower craft on a bulletin board adds a touch of charm to your classroom. Here are some Valentine’s Day bulletin board ideas:
- Surround the flowers with love-themed quotes or messages.
- Include pictures of famous mathematicians or significant math concepts.
- Mix the craft with students’ writings on love, kindness, or friendship.
Cultivate Love for Math and Creativity
Friends, Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to help your students fall in love with math. With hands-on crafts, fun activities, and resources that sparkle with creativity, you can inspire a genuine affection for learning.
By weaving Valentine’s Day themes into related facts education, you can inspire a love for math that endures.
Download the freebie and explore the full TPT resource to bring joy, creativity, and effective learning into your classroom.
And if you want to learn more about the many benefits of crafting in the classroom, check out my blog post, 9 Reasons Why Educational Crafts ARE Worth Your Time.
