This was a week of feeling the love. and spreading love. Here’s how we did it.
1. Valentines for the elderly: I co-sponsor a leadership group at my base school, Paw Pride. These students decided last week that they wanted to make Valentines for the elderly, so we had two recess crafting sessions, created original Valentines, and delivered them after school on Thursday to a local subsidized housing facility for elderly. The students who came were filled with love and joy as they talked with the residents. A few of them expressed to me how surprised they were at the fun they had. They want to go back at Easter.
Emily’s haiku to the moon
2. Writing Love Haiku: On Friday, I decided to forego a math lesson with my youngest group of students and teach them about haiku. (I guess you could argue that counting syllables is math.) I read to them Betsy Snyder’s precious book, I Haiku You. This was their first experience with haiku. In the 10 minute writing time, a few of them wrote up to 4 haiku poems. Then they illustrated them. The feeling of pride and joy in their writing was heartwarming.
3. Love Poetry Night: Not a huge crowd, less than 20, listened to love poetry Friday night. I read my own poem and a Jane Hirschfeld poem, For What Binds Us, and choked up at the end. “how the black cord makes of them a single fabric/ that nothing can tear or mend.”
Jim recited Rumi. Phanat sang us a French love song. Clare and Bonny both made us tear up with their touching poems. Love is just like that sometimes, touches the heart.
I hope you were touched by some love this week. Join the celebration over at Ruth’s blog, Discover.Play.Build.
Reflections on the Teche 
I love the idea of writing and sharing poetry not only with the elderly but also with families. I am sure there are many recipients of your “love” that are smiling brightly this morning.
A post full of love! I just added I Haiku You on amazon…a little late for Valentine’s Day but at least I will have it now. Sharing Valentines with the elderly is such a learning experience for children. I love watching the interactions between these generations. Have a great weekend!
My class used to visit a day center for the elderly when I had a classroom Margaret. It was a joy for all. How great that you did this with your students. I love your work with the young students in math-great change-up, & you know I so enjoyed your poem-sounds like a lovely week to celebrate!
What a beautiful way to reach out for Valentine’s Day.
Reblogged this on Mary-andering Among The Pages and commented:
Met another educator and a poet too. Great night of meeting educators and potential friends.
I enjoyed reading about the lovely Valentine project for the elderly. What valuable lessons your students learned this week. I loved reading about your poetry night experience too. Thanks for sharing.