As an educator, we all know that students become good readers and writers by practicing reading and writing. We also know that reading alone is not enough, children need to comprehend what they read or what is being read to them. That is why I feel it is important, from as early as preschool on, lessons should be based around literature. When I am teaching a thematic unit, I want my students to become immersed in the lessons. Throughout our day I want students to continuously build connections and relationships between characters in stories and the world around us. It is my hope that throughout the year teacher guided activities will become more student driven activities.

 
My favorite Valentine activities revolve around the story, The Day it Rained Hearts by Felicia Bond.  This story allows for great discussions, sequencing, inferencing and story recall activities.  I like to have students close their eyes and visualize what it would be like to see hearts falling from the sky like raindrops.  This visualization alone peeks interests and helps students focus in on key events.  As, I read the story, I pause and ask students questions to keep them actively involved.  The students are all aware of the rule of our reading interactions and wait their turn to share thoughts and ideas.  For instance,  as Cornelia Augusta is making the valentines for her friends, I like to ask them what they think she is doing and whom she is making her valentines for.   After the recipients receive their valentines I like to have them discuss how each valentine was individualized for each animal.

After we read the story, we review all of the main events.   Prior to the lesson I write sight words on die-cut hearts (in preschool I would write each child's name on a heart)  I show the boys and girls several different hearts and ask them to identify the words.  Then, I ask them if they would like to see it rain hearts.  I throw the sight words on a giant play parachute and the boys and girls shake the parachute until all of the hearts have flown off.  Each child grabs one heart and tries to read the word to a friend.  You may need to move to the gym or outside to complete this activity.  This would work well at the end of the lesson as well.

by Katie Ellingson~Kindergarten Rocks