MiniPage activities meet many state and national educational standards. This week's standards:

MiniPage activities meet many state and national educational standards. This week's standards: Students understand the ways in which language, stories, folk tales, music and artistic creations serve as expressions of culture and influence the behavior of people living in a particular culture. (Social studies: Culture) Students use different media, techniques and processes to communicate ideas, experiences and stories. (Visual arts)
Activities:
1. Design three valentines: one for a family member or caregiver, one for a friend and one for a teacher. Write a special message on each valentine.
2. Look through the newspaper for three people who deserve valentines because of their good work or accomplishments. Explain why each of these people should receive a special valentine.
3. Look through your newspaper to find ideas for modern valentines. Find an example for each of these: (a) a popular toy, (b) a popular movie, (c) a popular television program, (d) a popular sport and (e) a popular fad or trend. Work with friends to design valentines for each of these ideas.
4. Interview older family members or friends about the valentines they received when they were younger. What toys, movies, games, etc. do they remember from their valentines? Did they save any special valentines? Why did they save them?
5. Use the Internet to learn more about the history of Valentine's Day. Use these questions to guide your research: Why did people start sending valentines in the first place? Why was Feb. 14 selected as Valentine's Day? What cultural symbols were popular on valentines in different time periods? How has humor on valentines changed over the years? What are modern Valentine's Day symbols and practices?