For many of us parents and teachers, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie was a sweet story we listened to and read as children. This classic, as well as The Day it Rained Hearts, was written by the same author- Felicia Bond. In this adorable book, a young girl named Cornelia Augusta notices hearts falling from the sky, and as she begins to collect them she has a brilliant idea! These heart-shaped papers are perfect for writing valentines to her friends. Here are 10 ideas for activities inspired by this delightful book pick to try with your students today!
1. Valentine Cloud Craft
This simple heart craft can be part of an open-ended activity incorporating motor skills, creativity, and sharing. You can provide your students with a cloud outline to trace or let them design their own. Kids will cut pieces of yarn for hanging the little paper hearts to form “raindrops”.
Learn More: Glued to My Crafts
2. Story Sequencing Skills Activity
Once you have read the book aloud as a class, it’s time for some group/pair discussion, reflection, and comprehension questions! These basic writing prompt worksheets are the perfect book companions. They allow you to see what your students would do in Cornelia Augusta’s situation, and further improve their reading level.
Learn More: Mrs. Bremer’s Class
3. Cotton Ball Valentines
You can use so many creative tools for book club craft time! Pom poms or cotton balls are a fun tool for young kids. Give each student paper with a plain heart outline, a few pom poms, and a clothespin. You can have your students simply paint their hearts, or ask them to write a little love note inside to give to deserving friends.
Learn More: Tips From a Typical Mom
4. Valentine’s Heart Necklace Craft
Here is a hands-on craft your students can give to a special friend to show them that they care. These sweet and simple necklaces are made by cutting out a heart with, punching holes, and then lacing yarn or string through the holes to make a loop. You can have students add beads to the necklace for a personal touch.
Learn More: Red Ted Art
5. Heart Maps
Just like Cornelia Augusta and her animal friends in the story, we all have special people in our lives who want to show love. This paper heart can be painted and filled with the names of all your loved ones!
Learn More: Artful Parent
6. Literacy and Playdough Hearts Craft
It’s time to get hands-on as well as improve our spelling skills with a hearts craft inspired by this adorable Valentine’s-themed book. Purchase or make your own playdough, and provide your students with heart cookie cutters and letter stamps. Watch as they cut and decorate their playdough heart with sweet words and share them with their classmates.
Learn More: No Time for Flashcards
7. DIY Animal/Monster Valentine Cards
Some of these designs are a little more challenging to recreate, so be sure to choose the designs that are appropriate for your student’s motor skills. This craft improves students cutting, gluing, and writing skills with an end product they can give to loved ones or hang in the classroom.
Learn More: Red Ted Art
8. Sugar Cookie Conversation Hearts
Find a sugar cookie recipe to go along with this festive book. You can bring the dough to class and have your students cut and stamp each cookie before baking for a tasty midday Valentine’s snack!
Learn More: Playground Parkbench
9. Heart-Shaped Animal Craft and Story Retelling
This link has tons of paper animal crafts with heart-themes in each design. Let your students pick their favorite and once everyone’s animals are finished they can use their art hearts for a perfect companion activity such as story telling for complete student engagement.
Learn More: Crafty Morning
10. Raining Hearts Math and Craft Time
Time to highlight basic academic skills like addition and subtraction in our book study unit. Help your kiddos cut and glue together their paper umbrellas and hearts. Each sheet will have a different number of hearts they must count and then write on the craft template.
Learn More: Pinterest
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