Hey there, teacher friends!
Roses are red, Violets are blue. In my Special Education class, what should I do?
❤️ Love is in the air, and Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. However many of us as teachers are faced with… what in the roses am I going to do in my classroom this Valentine’s Day?
How can I make it extra special yet cater to my students specifically?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Let’s think of it this way: It’s the perfect time to show your special ed students how much you care and provide them with a fun-filled day of love, creativity, and learning.
In this blog post, we’re sharing 6 Valentine’s Day ideas that will not only engage your students but also help them develop their sensory, social, creative, and cognitive skills.
Get ready to spread the love and make this Valentine’s Day unforgettable for your students!
1. Social Skills activities
Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to work on those social skills!
How about having your students practice giving compliments in class when passing out equipment.
Or showing gratitude by completing a gratitude jar with post-it notes. You could express appreciation by making cards for their classmates and turning it into a social skills/literacy lesson.
This will help them learn how to show love and appreciation, and work on those writing skills.
It’s a great way to celebrate Valentine’s Day and build positive relationships in your classroom!
Click HERE to grab the FREE Valentine’s Day Gratitude Jar
2. Story Time
I won’t lie, our special education classes still love an illustrated book! Why not make Valentine’s Day extra special by getting some Valentine’s Day-themed stories from the library and having your students read them?
Ask your librarian to help you choose books that focus on themes like kindness, friendship, and love. You could add comprehension questions or activities that go along with the story to make it more engaging and exciting for your students!
Our top three favorite books to read together as a class are “I Need a Hug” by Aaron Blabey, “The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst, and “Romeo and Juliet” by Sweet Cherry Easy Reading Publishing. These books not only teach important values but also provide a fun and engaging way to practice reading and comprehension skills!
So why not make Valentine’s Day a special reading day and share some love through the magic of books!
3. Art Projects
Valentine’s Day provides a great theme for art projects! Why not try doing a gratidoodle drawing page, in which students can fill out each day of the month for February with a simple drawing expressing why they are grateful today? It’s a fun and engaging way for students to practise gratitude and develop their artistic skills!
Another great idea is to make kindness rocks! With painted messages of kindness and love, you and your class can hide them around the local community gardens or your school. It’s a fantastic way to spread positivity and kindness, while also getting outside and exploring your surroundings!
Both of these projects are sure to engage your students and help them learn important values such as gratitude and kindness. Give them a try and see the positive impact it can have on your classroom and community!
4. Colour by Code
Want to make Valentine’s Day even more exciting for your students while also reinforcing their numeracy skills. Why not try our color by code – Valentine’s Day Unit?
This unit is filled with 10 differentiated sets of illustrations that use rounding up money skills. It’s a fun and engaging way to celebrate the holiday while still focusing on those important life skills. Your students will love the challenge of figuring out the codes while also creating beautiful Valentine’s Day-themed artwork!
And the best part? This activity is flexible and can be easily adapted to fit the needs of your students, making it perfect for any classroom setting.
Click here fro link for colour by code – Valentine’s Day Task
5. Maths Centres
Want to add some excitement to your maths lessons this Valentine’s Day? Why not set up a maths centre where your students can practise counting and sorting heart-shaped candies or other Valentine’s Day-themed objects?
This hands-on activity is not only fun but also provides a great opportunity for your students to practice their numeracy skills.
And why stop there? You can also create a graphing activity where your students can count and categorise Valentine’s Day items and then graph their findings. This is a great way to reinforce their data collection and analysis skills while also getting into the holiday spirit!
6. Life Skills Routines
Get your class excited and ready to celebrate Valentine’s Day with our morning warm-up bundle!
This fun and friendly activity will help your students develop key developmental skills such as ⏰ time management, calendar writing, life skills, numeracy, literacy skills, and social-emotional check-ins.
Plus, it’s available in two differentiated levels, so you can easily meet the needs of your diverse learners. Start your day off on the right foot with this engaging and interactive Valentine’s Day warm-up!
We hope these Valentine’s Day ideas for special ed students have got your heart pumping and inspired to give your students an unforgettable Valentine’s Day. ❤️ Don’t forget to spread the love, have some fun, and show those kids how much they mean to you!
Come and Join us next time when we talk all about “Tailoring your Morning Routine in Special Education”
Thank You! ❤️
Thanks for hanging out with us! We hope you found this post helpful to both you and your special students.
Be sure to check us out when it comes to special education teaching resources and ideas, The Special Education Studio is where it’s at. Visit our website and socials for helpful tips, resources, and personalised support.
And remember, You put the special in Special Education!
