Create addition problems and get kids moving in the classroom as they solve the mathematical equations. Celebrate Valentine's Day with your class with fun and engaging heart activities.
Addition Problem Game
Materials
Make a medium heart template on card stock. Trace the card stock onto about 15 pieces of red or pink construction paper.
With a black marker, write an addition problem on the heart and the solution. Write the mathematical equation on one half of the heart and the answer on the other half.
Cut the heart in half with pinking shears or scrap booking scissors.
Do enough questions and answers that each student will receive one side of a heart.
Playing the Game
Students are given one half of a Valentine's Day heart placed face down on their desk. Students will receive an addition equation or addition answer. The objective of the game is for the students to find the missing part of their addition problems. Once all students have found their partner, teacher will gather the students to play the game again. This is fun and great practice for students learning addition facts.
Subtraction, multiplication, and division problems can be substituted for the addition problems. As well, the Valentine's Day heart can be alternated with a shamrock or Easter egg to celebrate another holiday.
Heart Number Line
Teacher creates a heart number line and displays in the classroom during the month of February to celebrate Valentine's Day. Teacher may choose to buy an inexpensive number line and draw hearts around the printed numbers.
Another option is for the teacher to draw 20 small hearts on construction paper. He will cut out the hearts and print the number with marker from 1-20. Final step is to tape or staple the hearts together in a straight line. Teacher can display the heart number line on the blackboard or a bulletin board.
Heart number line will assist students with the addition problem game, as students will have a resource to help them figure out who is their math partner.
Cinnamon Heart Estimates
Fill a jar with cinnamon hearts and have students estimate the number of hearts in the jar. Once the students estimate the number, they must identify all the ones, tens, and hundreds in the estimates. As well, the students will write 2 equations that total their estimate.
Teacher and students will work together to count the cinnamon hearts. Once the hearts are counted, the student with the closest estimate can win the candy or divide the hearts into equal parts to share with the class.
Teachers can excite students into learning addition facts with a the addition problem game. These games can be altered for students to learn division, multiplication, or subtraction facts. Students in the primary and early junior grades will enjoy these games as they master addition facts.
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