Pen Pal Valentines

Posted on February 5, 2023 by Jennie

Valentines for our pen pals
who live far away
in England and Michigan,
love and friendship
made by hand.


Jennie

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About Jennie

I have been teaching preschool for over forty years. This is my passion. I believe that children have a voice, and that is the catalyst to enhance or even change the learning experience. Emergent curriculum opens young minds. It's the little things that happen in the classroom that are most important and exciting. That's what I write about. I was a live guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. I am highlighted in the seventh edition of Jim Trelease's million-copy bestselling book, "The Read-Aloud Handbook" because of my reading to children. My class has designed quilts that hang as permanent displays at the National Liberty Museum in Philadelphia, the Fisher House at the Boston VA Hospital, and the Massachusetts State House in Boston.
This entry was posted in art, Expressing words and feelings, Giving thanks, Inspiration, Kindness, Love, Writing and tagged , , . Bookmark the permalink.

37 Responses to Pen Pal Valentines

  2. davidprosser's avatar davidprosser says:
    February 5, 2023 at 11:16 pm

    At first I thought it was going to read, Valentines for our Pensioners and I thought what an excellent idea as so many will be widows or widowers and without the warmth of a card these days. Then I realised what a vast undertaking that was and read further. The pen pals everywhere are going to love these cards Jennie.
    Huge Hugs

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      February 6, 2023 at 9:30 pm

      You make a great comment that widows and widowers would welcome valentines, albeit a vast undertaking. I think letter writing and pen pals are good all the way around. Thank you, David.

      Reply
  4. beetleypete's avatar beetleypete says:
    February 6, 2023 at 5:29 am

    They are going to be treasured! 🙂
    Best wishes, Pete.

    Reply
  5. petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor says:
    February 6, 2023 at 11:26 am

    Here’s to teachers like Beth, Ritu, and Jennie, who understand the power of children connecting with other children. The fact that they’re creating their own cards adds to the beauty of this project.

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      February 6, 2023 at 10:09 pm

      Thank you, Pete. I knew you would understand (and be fist-pumping.) It was exciting for the children to make valentines, especially the children who remember our pen pals from last year. It will be even more exciting to receive cards. When we had the ‘big meeting’ to explain a pen pal, the concept of giving and then receiving was most important (a life-long lesson.) Connecting with other children around the world was/is huge. I wish you had been a fly on the wall when we found Michigan and England in our Big Book Atlas. Yes, creating their own cards made the project meaningful. Some children could write words, some delighted in drawing pictures, and others wanted to glue shapes. Everyone had fun!

      Reply
      • petespringer's avatar petespringerauthor says:
        February 7, 2023 at 8:22 pm

        Fun at school? We can’t have that. 🤣 Of course, you know I’m joking. One of the things that some administrators (I had some fabulous administrators, so this isn’t an anti-leadership post) were guilty of in elementary school was what we often hear about good writing (show, don’t tell). It’s not okay to tell others that students need a well-rounded education and then turn around and show in their actions that their only concern is raising the test scores.

      • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
        February 8, 2023 at 8:44 am

        You are so right! Test scores don’t indicate a well-rounded education.

  6. circadianreflections's avatar circadianreflections says:
    February 6, 2023 at 11:31 am

    They look lovely! I bet their pen pals are going to be overjoyed to receive those. 💗

    Reply
  7. quiall's avatar quiall says:
    February 6, 2023 at 12:58 pm

    What a lovely idea to promote togetherness!

    Reply
  8. Ritu's avatar Ritu says:
    February 6, 2023 at 1:20 pm

    Can’t wait to receive them! 😊

    Reply
  9. Darlene's avatar Darlene says:
    February 6, 2023 at 2:41 pm

    What a terrific idea! The kids will love receiving them.

    Reply
  10. Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth says:
    February 6, 2023 at 4:14 pm

    What? No doilies? I always loved the valentines the kids made with bits of doilies. Do they even still make them?

    Reply
    • Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
      February 7, 2023 at 9:04 pm

      We had so many doilies! The photo of the the child coloring is on a doilie. It was impossible to include all the valentines in the photos, and I should have had more with doilies. As a child, I remember them, too. Do you remember how thin they were, and peeling them away you always missed a few? Thank goodness they still make them!

      Reply
  11. Brenda's avatar Brenda says:
    February 6, 2023 at 5:17 pm

    beautiful – and the class will have had so much fun creating the cards

    Reply
  12. Annika Perry's avatar Annika Perry says:
    February 8, 2023 at 10:52 am

    Aww … such precious Valentine’s Day cards to be treasured by those far away! Maybe I should try my hand at making one this year. xx

    Reply
  13. Prior...'s avatar Prior... says:
    February 10, 2023 at 7:17 pm

    Jennie, these cards really brought a smile

    Reply

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