Valentine’s Day Mini Unit Study- Fields of Daisies
Valentine’s Day is a fantastic time to try a unit study !
Unit studies are a great way to learn!
Whether you are looking for a better way to teach multiple aged children all at once, you want more freedom, JOY or creativity in your learning, or you just want to dig a little deeper into a topic, a unit study might be just the answer you’re looking for!
Valentine’s Day is packed full of history, inspiring stories of real love and determination, and believe it or not, even some pretty SWEET science! You can cover all your subject areas this week AND have FUN learning!
Also, don’t miss the list of Family Friendly Valentine’s Day Movies!
Scroll down to the bottom of this post for an entire list of FAMILY FRIENDLY Valentine’s Day Movies! These choices are perfect for extending this unit study or for a movie night celebrating Valentine’s Day together!
Here’s what you’ll find in this mini unit study-
+Unit Study Overview-
Day 1: Valentine’s History & Traditions
Day 2: Valentine’s Hearts
Day 3: Valentine’s Cards
Day 4: Sweet Treats
Day 5: Flowers
+Daily Lessons Include-
-Valentine’s Reading
-Language Arts Activities
-A Valentine’s Bible Study
-Valentine’s Themed Math Activities
-History and Geography of Valentine’s Day
-Science Activities
-Art/Music Ideas
+Here are a few more resources you might like to add in for extra FUN!
*98 Page Valentine’s Day Unit Printables Pack
All kinds of fun COMPANION printables to go along with this unit.
Everything you need all in one place! Print & GO!
**UPDATED 1/25
Search your bookshelves, your local library, or order some of these books, movies, or activity guides to add to the unit!
Need some ideas for a fun FAMILY Valentine’s Day at home?
Check out the movie list, make some popcorn, and you’re all set!
*Valentine’s Day- Printable Just For FUN Pack
Some days you just need a little EXTRA fun!!
Check out this printable just for FUN pack- Coloring pages, Word puzzles, Math squares, Scavenger Hunt, Valentine’s Day roll the dice game, and LOTS more!
*MORE Valentine’s PUZZLER Printables!
*FREE!! Printable Valentine’s Day Coloring Book/Card Making Kit !
Want to spread some LOVE this month? Grab this FREE Printable Valentine’s Pack!
Just print, add your own creative touch, and bless your family, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who could use a little love!
* I have also included some of my favorite Valentine’s themed books for each section below.
They are directly linked to Amazon. As an Amazon affiliate, at NO extra charge to you, I make a small commission on each sale of products clicked on through my site. If you choose to purchase any of these books, I’d sure love the support !
Thank you for helping to keep my units all free !
Much love.
What do you think of when you hear the words- Valentine’s Day ?!
Candy, cards, and hearts? Love and friends and chocolate?!
Have you ever wondered WHY we celebrate the holiday with those things?
Valentine’s Day is more than a day to exchange cards and say I Love You! There is a history behind it, and it’s a story full of evil Roman emperors, innocent love, and love conquering all!
In today’s lesson, we’re going to explore where Valentine’s Day came from, the traditions people have followed over time, and the legends that helped shape how we celebrate it today. Some parts are based on history, and some are more like stories passed down through the years, but all of it helps us understand why Valentine’s Day looks the way it does now.
Let’s dive in and see what we can discover together!
**REMEMBER!
Each day’s are filled with lots of suggestions for kids of many ages. Just choose the ones that will work best with your family!
It isn’t necessary to complete ALL other the choices each day.
*Reading Ideas-
When you are reading today, remember the meanings of these 3 words-
+Tradition– Something people do again and again, often to remember or celebrate something special.
+Legend– A story from long ago that may be partly true and partly made up.
+Story– A tale that is told or written to share ideas, events, or imagination.
– St. Valentine’s Day (Short & sweet intro..this site has really cute links too!)
– Valentine’s Day (Another brief introduction)
– What Is Valentine’s Day & How Did It Start?
– Valentine’s History
– The Origin of Valentine’s Day
– History of Valentine’s Day
– Top 10 Valentine’s Day Facts For Kids
*Watch & Listen-
– Adventures In Odyssey- Valentine’s Day, The Last I Do
(This is an audio retelling of the story of St. Valentine)
– The History Of Valentine’s Day (Animated History- about 3 minutes)
– How Did Valentine’s Day Start? Does Anyone Know? (video- about 2 minutes)
*Coloring Pages-
– Valentine Coloring Page
– Stained Glass Valentine Coloring Page
-Extras-
Valentine’s Day History books you might enjoy for today’s theme:
(Many of these can be found in your local library too!)
– The Story of St. Valentine
– Plant a Kiss
*Language Arts Activities-
– History of Valentine’s Day Grammar Book
– Veggie Valentine Grammar Fun
– Valentine Jokes Grammar Giggle
– Grammar- Valentine’s Style
– Valentine’s Grammar Activity Worksheets
(This requires a free sign up requesting your email)
– Valentine’s Day Mad Libs
– Valentine’s Day themed worksheets
(Wordgrams, Puzzles, Writing Paper, etc from DTLK)
– Valentine’s Vocabulary Lists
(This is a great list for lots of levels from Enchanted Learning)
* Valentine’s Creative Writing Prompts
– Valentine’s Writing Ideas and
– Minds In Bloom Valentine’s Writing Prompts
*Extras- Valentine’s Day Language Arts Books for Kids-
– Mad Libs in Love
*Valentine’s Day Bible Study- What is Love ?
– Love Is…
–What Is Love… A Story For Kids
– Valentine’s Day and Love
– What Is Love? Bible Study For Kids
– 1 Corinthians Memory Pack (Printable Work Pack from Only Passionate Curiosity)
– This Year BE a Valentine! (Video- about 4 minutes)
– Love Bible Study for Kids
– Love Is… Coloring Pages
– All You Need Is Love
Also, if you’d like to read my heart on this subject most recently, please read
my post about the importance of not just knowing about love, but doing it !
*Extras- Valentine’s Day Bible Study & Devotional Books for Kids-
– Love Is
– Love Does (for Kids)
– The Berenstain Bears Love Their Neighbors
(I know this book is a little young, but the message is so fitting!)
*Valentine’s Day Math Activity Ideas-
– Valentine Themed Math Printables (for many levels)
– Valentine’s Math Printables
– Conversation Hearts Math Activities
– Valentine’s Day Math Worksheets
– Multiple Grades Valentines Themed Math Pages
– Valentine’s Hundreds Chart Activities
–> Hundred’s Chart Activity #2
– Valentine’s Day Number Patterns Math Sheet
*Valentine’s Day Science Activity Ideas-
– TONS of Fun Valentine’s Science Experiments
– 4 STEM Activities for Valentine’s Day
– 14 Days of Valentine’s STEM Activities
– Candy Heart Science With Free Printable
– Valentine’s Science & STEM Activities
*Valentine’s Day History/Geography Activity Ideas-
–Can You Find “Valentine” on a Map?
– History: Valentine’s Day (short video- 3:32 mins)
– Listen to the History Of Valentine’s Day
–Rome and the History of Valentine’s Day
– The Roman Empire for Kids (a brief history)
+Geography fun! You could also find these countries on a map as you talk about them!
– Valentine’s Day Traditions Around The World
– Traditions of Valentines Around The World (This is a longer read- maybe pick a few and research more!)
– Valentine’s Day Latitude & Longitude Activity
*Extras- Valentine’s Day Books-
– Celebrate Valentine’s Day ! (Holidays Around the World series)
–Four Stupid Cupids (The Hamlet Chronicles)
*Valentine’s Art/Music Activities-
– 10 Valentine’s Day Art Projects
– Read about American Pop Art (or watch a short VIDEO intro)
-Learn about the artist Robert Indiana .
–LOVE Art Projects For Kids
– LOVE Art Projects For Kids
–How To Draw 3-D Art Letters- Robert Indiana Art Project For Kids
*Reading Ideas- Poetry
Roses are red, violets are blue.
Sugar is sweet, and I love YOU!
One Valentine’s Day tradition that we are all familiar with is writing love poems!
They can be short and funny, or long and serious. People have been writing poetry about their love for one another for a very long time!
No one is sure when exactly, but this became another familiar way people celebrate this day!
+Emily Dickinson
-Read about Emily Dickinson
– It’s All I Have…
-More Poems by Emily Dickinson to check out!
-A few Emily Dickinson poetry activities
– ‘The Giving Tree’
* This would make a great discussion starter in my opinion, particularly if you are using
the Bible study (or even if you’d just like to read through 1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
For Example:
– Did you see any examples of love in this story?
– How did the tree show love?
– How did the boy show love?
–Valentine’s Poetry For Anyone!
– A collection of some old reader type sweet short stories to read aloud :
‘Saint Valentine’s Day’
‘St. Valentine’
‘Four Letters’
*Extra Valentine’s Day Book Ideas for Kids-
– The Giving Tree
– Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew (Valentine’s Day Secret)
*Valentine’s Day Language Arts-
– Try some of these Valentine’s POETRY Activities
– Write A Roses Are Red Poem
– Valentine’s Shape Poems Activity
– How To Write Valentine’s Day Poetry For Kids
– Write an Ode (Read on… odes are better than they sound! 😀 )
– Valentine’s Acrostics
– Möbius Strip Serpentine Poetry
–Valentine’s Tea With Poetry (I love this idea!)
– Extra Creative Writing For Valentine’s
–Valentine’s Creative Writing Prompts
(Organized by age, could help launch some poetry too!)
– Heart Maps (creative writing idea or even art project)
– Parts of Speech Valentine’s Worksheets
Nouns & Verbs
Adjectives & Adverbs
*Valentine’s Day Bible Study- Love is Patient
– Love is Patient Lesson
– Object Lesson on Patience
– Bible Stories on Patience To Read Together
– Scripture Verses on Patience For Kids
– Patience Activities For Families Learning Together
– Fruit of Patience
– Patience Coloring Pages
*Valentine’s Day Math Activities-
– Create a Geometric Straw Heart
– Math Fun With Hearts
– Conversation Heart Math (Fractions, Multiples, Area & Perimeter, etc)
–Valentine’s Themed Math Lessons
– Math Love! Valentine’s Themed Math Activities For All Ages
– We LOVE Math Valentine’s Activities
– Candy Heart Math
– Pascal’s Triangle Valentine’s Version
*Valentine’s Day Science Activities-
– All About the Heart
– Watch- “The Magic School Bus Has a Heart”
– DIY Stethoscope
– Cardiovascular Unit Study
– What Is The Cardiovascular System?
– All About The Circulatory System
(This will ask you to sign in, but just click the “x” if you don’t want to)
– STEM Activities with Conversation Hearts ( from STEM Activities for Kids)
– Candy Heart Catapult
*Extra Valentine’s Science Resources for Kids–
– The Magic School Bus Has a Heart
– Learning Resources Stethoscope
– Human Body Detectives: A Heart Pumping Adventure Through the Circulatory System
*Valentine’s Day History and Geography Ideas-
– The heart has been seen throughout history as something with a deep significance.
Here are some ways that ancient cultures saw the importance of the heart.
Ancient Egypt and the Heart
Ancient Greece and Rome
–History of the Conversation Heart
(This is a in depth history, but FILLED with fascinating history!)
+Learn Fascinating Facts About:
–Ancient Egypt
–Ancient Greece
–Ancient Rome!
-Find out who Christiaan Barnard was!
*Valentine’s Art/Music Activities-
+Jim Dine’s Hearts & Pop Art!
– Who is Jim Dine?
(From one of my favorite art sites, Kitchen Table Classroom! This includes an entire booklet if you subscribe for free!)
– Meet Jim Dine! (video- about 3 minutes)
– Jim Dine Hearts Lesson
– Sharpie Hearts (Inspired by Jim Dine’s hearts)
–What is Pop Art? (video- about 5 minutes)
– Romero Britto Heart Art Lesson
– Watercolor and Glue Resist Heart Paintings
*Extras- Fun Valentine’s Crafts and Activities
– Heart Pillow Latchhook Set
(Remember these? My middle daughter LOVED them!)
– Heart Stained Glass Coloring Book (from Dover)
Another popular Valentine’s Day tradition is giving cards to people we care about.
A long time ago, people wrote notes to share kind words and loving thoughts, and those notes slowly turned into the Valentine cards we know today. Do you remember where some THINK that Valentine’s Day cards really came from? Hint: Day 1 and the story of the priest!
Today cards are a way to say “I’m thinking of you” without needing a lot of words. Sometimes they include a poem, a funny pun, or a heartfelt message. Everyone likes a little note from time to time letting them know they are loved and making them laugh a little. Valentine’s cards are the perfect way to do that!
*Valentine’s Day Cards Reading-
– History of Valentine’s Day Cards
(Be sure to scroll to the bottom for a link to view some very old Valentine’s cards!)
– Why Are Valentine’s Cards So Popular?
(This is more detailed for older kids or parents to read and relate!)
– A Prisoner’s Valentines
*We all love poems on Valentine’s Cards- especially short funny ones!
-Who is Jack Prelutsky ?
+ I Love You More Than Applesauce
+ I Made My Dog A Valentine
+ My Mother’s Chocolate Valentine
-Try writing a Valentine for your pet…if you dare !
–“A Pizza The Size Of The Sun!”
– The Gift of the Magi (I know it’s usually a Christmas story…but what a great love story!)
*Extra Valentine’s Books for Kids-
– Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch
–Cupid Doesn’t Flip Hamburgers (The Bailey School Kids Mystery series)
–Nate the Great and the Mushy Valentine
*Valentine’s Day Language Arts Activities-
– Introduce Puns …..then click through these old fashioned Puny Valentines !
– Pun Fun- Facts For Kids
– A Punny Lesson
– Make a Punny Valentine
– 100 Punny Valentine Messages
(Use some of these to make your own cards!)
– Pun Worksheet #1, Pun Worksheet #2
–5 Valentine’s Poetry Activities For Kids
– Valentine’s Haiku Poems
– Review the parts of speech with Valentine’s Mad Libs Printables
– Printable Thank You Valentine’s Cards (Great Idea for any age!)
*Try these fun and *FREE!!* printable coloring pages and printable Valentine’s Day cards
you can click HERE or on the images below!
*Extra Fun- Valentine’s Day Language Arts Books
– Dear Valentine Letters (MadLibs)
*Valentine’s Day Bible Study- Love is Kind
– Kindness Lesson (scroll through for activities for all age groups)
– What Is Kindness?
– Kindness Bible Stories
– Object Lesson: Kindness
– Be KIND! (short video object lesson- about 3 minutes)
– Kindness Tree
– 30 Random Acts of Kindness to Do with Your Children
– Love Is… (video- about 5 minutes)
*Valentine’s Day Math Activity Ideas-
– LOTS of Valentine’s Themed Math Games & Printables
– 8 Simple Valentine’s Math Games (for your younger kiddos)
– Montessori Valentine’s Math Ideas (Mostly for the Littles in your house)
– Equivalent Fractions (Valentine’s Day Math Printable- TPT, but FREE! )
– Valentine’s Multiplication Bingo (TPT, FREE)
– Valentine’s Math Facts Game!
– Heart Themed Math Games Online
*Valentine’s Day Science Activity Ideas-
–14 Science Experiments
– Science For Valentine’s
– Valentine’s Day CHEMISTRY Cards !
– Science Sparks STEM for your Sweethearts
– Valentine’s Day themed Science Experiments Galore !
– Valentine’s Day Chemistry Fun !
*Valentine’s Day History and Geography Ideas-
–Valentine’s History Of Cards
– History of the Valentine’s Card
– Valentine’s Cards through the 1900’s (nice photos!)
*Make a Valentine’s Day Card that you might find in another country.
-Choose a country. Find it on a map.
-Read if/how that country celebrates this holiday.
-Find out how to say ‘I Love You’ in that language.
– Try this I LOVE YOU! Activity
*Valentine’s Day Art and Music Activities-
–15 Minute FREE Valentine’s Music Class Lesson For Kids
– How To Write a Love Song for Kids
– Beautiful Heart Coloring Pages
(These would make lovely cards too I think!)
– Fizzing Heart Art
–12 Homemade Valentine’s Card To Make
–20 More Valentine’s Cards Kids Can Make
*Extras- Valentine’s Day Crafts
– Make Your Own Valentines Craft Kit
*Valentine’s Day Unit Reading Ideas-
– Chocolates For Valentine’s Day! (video- about 3 minutes)
-Why do we get CHOCOLATE for Valentine’s Day?
–The Secret History of Chocolate
**We’ll read more on this in Science today!
– Read ‘The Chocolate Touch‘ (ALL of my kiddos through the years have LOVED this book !)
–> or ‘The Chocolate Touch’ Read Online
–> or Listen to ‘The Chocolate Touch’ Read Online
-Listen to Charlie & The Chocolate Factory
– Chocolate Unit Study & Lap Book
*Extras- Valentine’s Books we love for this section-
– The Candymakers and The Candymakers and the Great Chocolate Chase
-Chocolate Fever
– The Candy Smash
*Valentine’s Day Unit Language Arts Ideas-
– Sweet Treats Parts of Speech
(super cute blog… Rockin’ Resources)
– Valentine’s Idioms Lesson Printable
– 8 Valentine’s Day Writing Prompts
– Valentine’s Day Reading Comprehension Printable
– Valentine’s Writing Paper & Editing Printable
*Valentine’s Bible Study – Love is Humble
– Humility Lessons
– Pride and Humility Bible Study for Kids
– Humility Learning Activities
– An Example in Humility
– Humility Coloring Pages
*Valentine’s Day Unit Math Activities-
– Hershey Kiss Hunt (scroll down a bit to find it)
– Chocolate STEM Activities
– Valentine’s Themed Math Games (various levels- TPT Freebie)
– Heart Fractions Game
(Printable from En Casa …this site is in Spanish, but self-explanatory even
if you don’t speak Spanish 🙂 )
– Color Grid Mixed Math Valentine Printables (K-4)
– Online Chocolates Puzzle
*Valentine’s Day Unit Science Activities-
– Explore Chocolate
– How Chocolate is Made
– Chocolate Grows On Trees?
–How Is Chocolate Made? (video- about 3 minutes)
–Trip Inside the Hershey Factory! (about 5 minutes)
–Make Your Own Chocolates!
–Hot Chocolate Science Experiment
–Charlie & The Chocolate Factory STEM Challenge
– LOTS of fun Valentine’s STEM Challenges (including building a box of chocolates !)
– Heart Estimation Activity
– Sweethearts Experiments
– Sweet Treats- Ice Cream in a Bag Experiment
*Extras- Science Activities for Valentine’s Unit
–Edible Chemistry: Food Science Kit
(40 different experiments- SO MUCH FUN !!)
*Valentine’s Day Unit History and Geography-
– A Bite of Chocolate’s History
– History of Chocolate (Hungry History Video)
– Why Do We Give Chocolates on Valentine’s Day ?
– History of Chocolate (Printable)
–Geography of Chocolate! (short video)
*Extras- History of Valentine’s Day books
– Make Your Own Chocolate Kit
*Valentine’s Day Unit Art and Music Activities-
– Watch one of these amazing videos of Chocolate Art
– Try making one of your own…
Chocolate Spoon Art
Chocolates !
*Valentine’s Day Reading Ideas-
– Read about the poet Robert Burns and read his poem, ‘A Red, Red Rose‘
Printable Worksheet
– ‘We Should Not Mind So Small a Flower‘ by Emily Dickinson
– Fascinating Flowers
– Flower Facts for Kids
– Valentine’s Scavenger Hunt with Printables
(I love scavenger hunts! And reading the clues counts as reading, right? 🙂 You could also easily customize this idea for different levels)
*Extra Valentine’s Day Book Ideas-
– 25 Roses (Sweet story about kindness)
– I Know An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose (for the Littles, but funny for all!)
*Valentine’s Day Unit Language Arts-
– Valentine’s Day Grammar Printables (Antonyms, Synonyms, etc..)
– Valentine’s Following Directions Printable
– Friendship Cinquain Printable
– More Valentines Mad Libs 🙂
*Valentine’s Bible Study- Love is Content
– What is Contentment? HERE
Can we find what ways contentment is showing love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ?
– Contentment Bible Study for Kids
– Contentment Lesson
– Be Content Craft
– Contented Coloring Pages
*Valentine’s Day Unit Math Activities-
– Multiplication Flower Wheels
– Valentine’s Flowers Fact Families
– Hearts Venn Diagram Printable
– Valentine’s Printable Dominoes for Math Learning
– Valentine’s Logic Puzzle
– Valentine’s Math Games (TPT…look for the Freebie)
– Roll & Cover Multiplication Math Game
*Valentine’s Day Unit Science Activities-
– Why do plants produce flowers? (Interactive Mystery)
– Dissect a Flower (Love these ideas !)
– Make a Rainbow Rose OR HERE
– Valentine’s STEM Challenges (Including Flower Frenzy!)
– Color Changing Flowers
– Minute To Win It Game Ideas
*Valentine’s Day Unit History and Geography Ideas-
– Why do people give FLOWERS on Valentine’s Day?
– The Meaning of Flowers in the Victorian Era and in Ancient Egypt and in Ancient Greece
and HERE
*Valentine’s Day Unit Art and Music Ideas-
– The Symbolism of Flowers in Art
– Flower Art & Science (These would make lovely window decorations )
– Valentine’s Lollipop Flowers
– Hyper Color Flowers
– Here are some beautiful pieces of music to listen to while you work !
Waltz of the Flowers
Spring Song
*Extras- Valentine’s Day Flowers Craft Fun
–Little Flowers Stained Glass Coloring Book
– Favorite Roses Coloring Book
–Old Time Roses Sticker Book
*Valentine’s Day Movies for your Unit Study*
I just wanted to include some ideas for some of my favorite movies for families that highlight LOVE!
–Homeward Bound
–Lady and the Tramp
–The Incredible Journey
–All Saints
–Mother Teresa
–End of the Spear
–Be My Valentine Charlie Brown
–A Charlie Brown Valentine
–The Blind Side
–Beauty and the Beast
–Up
–Wall-E
–Because of Winn Dixie
–Wonder
–Where the Red Fern Grows
–Amazing Love
–Facing the Giants
–The Inn of the Sixth Happiness
–Toy Story
–Winnie The Pooh, Valentine’s For You
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