Teach your math lessons around a Valentine's Day theme this February. Lessons on basic math facts and symmetry can be made more exciting for students by adding a bit of fun. Consider simple ideas, such as homework problems written on heart shaped papers. Here are some more ideas for math lessons with a Valentine's Day theme.
Basic Facts Lessons for Valentine's Day
You can use candy hearts and other Valentine's Day candy to teach elementary students several math skills. Teach simple addition and subtraction by having students manipulate the candies on their desks. Be sure to sanitize the desks first. These sweet treats can also serve as a behavioral motivator as students can be rewarded for good behavior by being allowed to enjoy some of the candy.
You can also teach division with candy as a manipulative. Students should take the dividend, or the total amount to be divided, and then make equal groups in the amount of the divisor. The total number of groups equals the quotient. So for example: in the problem 6 divided by 3 equals 2, the dividend is 6, the divisor is 3 and the quotient is 2.
Create review worksheets for your students to do for homework or seat work that are themed around Valentine's Day. You can easily create your own by printing out Valentine's day pictures or purchasing stickers to decorate your plain worksheets and making copies. You can also find free Valentine's Day worksheets online.
Symmetry Lessons for Valentine's Day
Teach students the basics of symmetry with the various shapes that are displayed for Valentine's Day. Provide each student with a construction paper heart. Have them fold the heart one time any way they like. Hopefully you will have students who fold it on a line of symmetry and students who do not. Discuss the fact that in order for the two halves to be symmetrical, they must be the mirror image of each other. You can do this with paper flowers, a picture of cupid, and more.
Interactive Valentine's Day Bulletin Board
Create a Valentine's Day bulletin board display to have students practice their math skills. Cut out several hearts from different colored construction paper. Laminate them and pair them together with small pieces of Velcro. On the outside heart, write a math problem, and on the heart underneath, write the answer to the math problem. You can also tape the hearts together at the tops so that the student has to lift the top heart to get the answer.
By using Valentine's Day candy and various pictures relating to Valentine's Day, you can create themed math lessons that will be sure to thrill your students. By focusing your lessons on the holiday, students will be more likely to focus and engage in the activity.
You may be interested in other ideas for Valentine's Day lesson ideas.
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