I love using simple flap books with my students for a number of reasons. This Valentine’s Day flap book has been a valuable classroom resource for years. Since I teach a wide variety of age and skill levels, I find that flap books are an activity that can be easily differentiated based on those two factors. Also, as an English as a Foreign language teacher, parents are so curious to know what their kids are doing. “Is my child learning anything?” – “Is my child able to communicate or recognize English words”. That’s why flap books are a wonderful way to involve family in the learning process. I always send them home with my students on Valentine’s Day to share with parents and siblings. It’s an easy way for kids to show what they’ve done without the horrible question, “So, what did you learn in English class today”. (As a parent, I know that the answer is most often – “I don’t know”.)
Age/ Skill:
- Are your students Pre-K, K or 1st grade and just mastering the basics of reading and writing? well, this activity can work for them too! It might be more work for you (some cutting will be involved). Have your students draw pictures if they haven’t mastered writing.
- Have them write a one/two word answer – People: My mom, Places: the zoo, Food: Pizza, Things: my robot
- Are your students more advanced? Have them write COMPLETE sentences or use the worksheet instead of creating the flap book.
- What’s needed? This is a minimal prep activity. All you need to do ahead of time is make photocopies. The rest will be done in class.
- Crayons or colored pencils
- Stapler
- Scissors
