Valentine Repeat

 I am at a conference and the hotel Internet is spotty at best.  I had planned on doing a recap of digital learning day but wi-fi is not being my friend.  Here is last year’s Valentine’s Day Friday Five.

Next week the kids will be excited about candy, cards, and flowers.  Why fight them?  Join in the fun with some Valentine themed, technology based centers.  Here are a few that you can use in your classroom.

1.    Biscuit’sValentine Day:  This fun app was free on February 13 last year.  We can only wish for the same this year.  According to the creator, “It’s Valentine's Day and Biscuit and the little girl have a lot of special deliveries to make. But when Biscuit smells a treat that sill puppy just can't seem to help himself. How will the little girl show Biscuit how much she loves him? “  This is great for all ages because you can have it read to you, with you, or by you.  There is also a coloring book, a sticker book, memory game, and a puzzle included.  For accountability you could have students complete a grade appropriate graphic organizer.  It is available for Android and ios devices. ($2.99)

2.    FirstWords Valentine:  This would be a good word works center for younger students. This teaching app has students drag letters to the matching spot to create a Valentine themed word.  This is a free app.  For older students they could use three words in a sentence.

3.    iSnuggleValentine:  This app is adorable.  It allows students to create their own Valentine cards.  Choose from 9 snuggly animal characters. Choose a background or use your own picture. Select a fun phrases or write your own Read the story of each Snuggle and play the snuggle soundboard. You could have students create their own message using a vocabulary word and email it to you.  This app is free.

4.    ValentineVideogram: In this augmented reality app, you can record funny messages with three different Valentine themed masks. It automatically fits the masks to the person being recorded and moves when they (you) do.  It can be used with a forward facing or rear camera.  It animates in real time.  It can be shared through email or saved to the device.  Students can record messages to each other or record themselves reading for fluency practice.

5.    StateBingo:  Have students Buckle up and ride with Pep the car to discover amazing US destinations. Play a game of classic State Bingo and look for clues on a beautifully illustrated US map. Play the brand new Road Trip US game. Travel to random destinations or choose to drive along the historic Lewis and Clark trail. Win the game to send states to statehood. Enjoy fun animations as Pep the car cheers you along. State Bingo game: Play State Bingo.  How is this related to Valentine’s Day?  Have students make a graph with Valentine Cards or hearts to track the states they visit.  This app is $2.99

Here are some Valentine apps that were good but they didn’t make the cut for this week’s five.

*Draw With Hearts:  Draw pictures only with animated hearts.  What can you illustrate with hearts. 

*Happy Talking Cupid:  This app is similar to the Talking Tom apps that many people use to practice vocabulary.  The only problem is that Cupid has a “gas” button.  If your kids can handle it…go for itJ

*The Kissing Hand:  In this favorite book, students have three options for reading.  Enjoy!

Have a great weekend and fun Valentine Week!

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