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This lesson explores some of the many ways of showing that you care.

Happy Valentine’s Dayfrom the

Go-Givers!

Charles, Duke of Orleans, was one of the first people to send a ‘valentine’. In 1415 he sent several rhyming love letters or ‘valentines’ to his wife in France from the Tower of London, where he had been imprisoned after the Battle of Agincourt.

In the Middle Ages, young men and women drew names from a bowl to see who their valentines would be. They would wear these names on their sleeves for one week – hence the phrase ‘wear your heart on your sleeve’.

White roses are for true love. Red roses are for passion. Yellow roses are for friendship. Black roses mean farewell.

People used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

It was thought that birds chose their mate for the year on February 14th. Doves and pigeons mate for life and so were used as symbols of fidelity.

If a girl was curious and brave enough she would conjure up the appearance of her future husband by going to a graveyard at midnight on St. Valentine's Eve. She would then sing a special chant and run around the church twelve times.

What did the boy squirrel say to the girl squirrel on Valentine’s Day?

‘I’m nuts about you!’

What did the girl squirrel say to the boy squirrel?

‘You’re nuts so bad yourself!’

Happy Valentine’s Dayfrom the

Go-Givers!

Glossary

farewell – goodbyefidelity – faithfulness, loyaltyconjure up – call to mindchant – a simple song or phrase

repeated

Activities to complete this lesson include:

Rate this lesson here.

Click on the image above to view and/or download learning activities.

• group discussion• making a Valentine’s Day

card• writing a poem and creating a piece of music

Useful Web Links

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4260000/newsid_4265900/4265951.stm – Valentine’s Around the World in pictures

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_3450000/newsid_3456400/3456449.stm - What to do if you’re blue on Valentines

• http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4250000/newsid_4258600/4258687.stm - Newsround quiz on Valentines

• http://www.apples4theteacher.com/holidays/valentines-day/ - Valentines games and activities for children

• http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/valentines_day_crafts.htm - Valentines crafts ideas for kids

• http://www.primaryresources.co.uk/pshe/pshe.htm - primary resources for teaching PSHE

If you enjoyed this lesson, why not try:

ChopsticksAn adaptation of a Korean story which illustrates the negative effect of selfishness.

Treasured MemoriesCoping with bereavement. An allegorical tale. Coming to terms with loss in school.