Valentine’s Day Compliment Bags
By Mary Montero
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When I was student teaching, I had the most FABULOUS co-teacher. She had so many great ideas, and this is one that I have clung to each and every year. I originally wrote this post in 2014
Instead of taking the time to be artsy about our Valentine’s bags/boxes/whathaveyou, we have always written each other specific and meaningful compliments and then decorated our bags with these compliments. The students absolutely LOVE this–both writing the compliments AND reading their own. The parents love it, too! These are perfect for the big kids (grades 3 and up), but I’ve seen younger grades successfully create their bags, too.
I have done this several different ways.
- When I student taught, we sent home a class list (like most teachers do for Valentine cards), and the students had to write their compliments at home, over the course of a week. I skimmed them before they transferred them to the bags to be sure they were specific (NOT: You’re nice. You’re cool. You’re funny.)
- When I taught fourth grade, we worked on this for a few days during our writing time. We did a lesson on writing SPECIFIC compliments and focused on using descriptive writing and parts of a sentence .
Once they are all done, we have a signing party the day or two before Valentine’s Day {I won’t lie. It’s been done the day of when we are in a crunch!}. The kids decorate a small part of their bag by putting their name on it to identify it as theirs. Then, we pull out every Sharpie and gel pen we can find {what a treat!} and the kids go from desk to desk signing all of the bags with their special compliments. It is such a fun time! Then, before the students go back to their desks and read them all, I collect them so that it is a surprise to read when it is time for our Valentine’s Party. I add my own note to each, then put them back out on Valentine’s Day for candy and card filling.
One year, I cut out diecut hearts for students to write their compliments on, then they just glued them to the bags. They were SUPER cute!
As you can see in the picture, some kids typed theirs out, then glued them on…when I have them do this at home, I’m okay with it, and when I have them do it at school, we usually don’t have that option.
I can’t recommend doing this enough!
Valentine’s Day Compliment Bags
You will also see that we have used a few different kinds of bags. The white ones were from student teaching–they are a little bit more pricey, so I usually get those if I can get a few parents to volunteer to pick up the bags. Otherwise, I just get the colored or white lunch bags at Target or Walmart for a couple of bucks. I’ve linked a few of my favorites via Amazon Affiliate links below:
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| Love how I still have some goodies with my maiden name! |
Update: I still do these bags every single year, and they warm my heart each and every time kids make them! Here are a few more from our 2017 Valentine’s Day parties!
More Valentine Activities
Are you looking for an incredibly engaging math project to help your students review their math skills while still getting into the Valentine’s Day spirit? I created this differentiated Valentine’s Day math project that your students will absolutely adore!
You can learn more about this Valentine’s Day Math Project HERE.
You can also purchase a huge bundle of my Valentine’s Day Math and Literacy Resources!
Click HERE to check out all of the goodies in my bundle!
Mary Montero
I’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging.
really awesome idea!
Elizabeth
Hodges Herald
Thanks so much!
I absolutely love this idea! I usually have my students do this at the end of the year as a keepsake, but I am thinking we need it now this year. I love the idea of tying compliments into Valentine's Day! Thank you 🙂
Michelle
from Well, Michelle?
I always find this is a great time to do it, too! We do something similar for our star of the week awards, but it challenged them to continually think of new things they love about each other.
Love this idea – we do weekly bucket fillers but this would be a nice addition to the Valentine sugar rush! Glad to be a new follower.
Looking From Third to Fourth
We are a bucket filling class, too! Perfect addition.
I love the individualized cards! They just went into my cart. I'm sick and don't have the time/energy to make anything for my kiddos, so I appreciate it! 🙂
Thank you so much for the students cards! They are exactly what I needed! Happy Valentine's Day! 🙂
I love this idea! Thank you for sharing!
✿Sue
✿Science for Kids Blog✿
I spotted this very cute african print designed bags by eco friendly carrier bags Hesey Designs. It’s chicky, colourful, unique and fit for all occasions. I could not help but share with you guys.
When I was student teaching, I had the most FABULOUS co-teacher. She had so many great ideas, and this is one that I have clung to each and every year. printed carrier bags
I love your design, good luck with the comp 🙂
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learningin2.blogspot.com
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