TROY - First grade students in teacher Megan Gilson's class at W.R. Croman Primary School Thursday in Troy made "extra special" Valentines.
For Valentine's Day, they traced out the shapes of their hands on pink and red construction paper, cut out the shapes, and arranged them on a frame in the shape of a heart.
"I wanted to do something other than a regular Valentine to take home to their families," Megan explained. "And it's something they can keep, if they want."
And it wasn't just a fun activity - it was educational, too.
Megan said the craft allowed them to exercise their fine motor skills and learn to make patterns.
"In math, we look for patterns a lot, with shapes, numbers, and colors," she said. "It helps them find patterns in everyday life and continue making them."
In addition, she noted, the students were learning how to work together because they were helping their friends trace the shapes of their hands onto the paper.
"They are enjoying it," she said.
Alexis Tucker was making her wreath for her pop-pop. She explained why she made it for her grandpa. "Because I love him," she said.
Jacob Hussman said he was going to give his wreath to his mother, and expected that she would say, "thank you, I love it."
Pamela Robbins was also having fun with the activity and thought her mom would like the wreath she made.
When asked what she liked about making the wreaths, she said, "everything."
Megan said they also were going to do another math activity for Valentine's Day - a candy hearts graph.
The students each got a handful of candy hearts, sorted them according to colors, and filled in a bar graph. Then, they could answer math questions related to the activity.
Also, Megan noted that Valentine's Day parties were being held in the other classrooms.
She thought celebrating the holiday at school was important.
"I think it just shows the friendship they have for one another, and that they should also say kind things," she said.
She said the celebration allows the students to show they care for one another and also see that others care about them.
Now, that sounds like a Happy Valentine's Day.
Do you have an idea for the Western Bradford Notebook? You can reach Eric Hrin at (570) 297-5251; email: reviewtroy@thedailyreivew.com.
