Cranberry Valentine Unit Study & Lapbook

For the first time in his life, Mr. Whiskers receives a valentine. And not just one, but several! Mr. Whiskers is beside himself. Does he really have a secret admirer? How will Mr. Whiskers respond to this valentine gesture?

from Cranberry Valentine at amazon.com

Read this fun story and learn all about Valentine’s Day with our free Cranberry Valentine unit study and lapbook.

Thanks to Kim K. for writing the lessons for this Cranberry Valentine unit study. Thanks to Tina Franks for creating the Cranberry Valentine lapbook mini-books.

Cranberry Valentine Unit Study Lessons

This unit study includes lessons and printables based on the book Cranberry Valentine by Wende Devlin.

Here are some sample lessons from the Cranberry Valentine Unit Study.

Social Studies: Valentine’s Day Symbols and Meanings
You can see some of these symbols in the Valentines Mr. Whiskers received from his secret admirers.

Some Valentine’s Day symbols include heart, cupid, rose flower, love knot, key & lock, lovebirds and doves.

Heart
The red heart is a symbol for love. Centuries ago, people did not know that the heart pumps blood through the circulatory system. However, they did know that the heart beats faster when a person is excited or upset. For this reason they believed that the heart was the center of our feelings. This idea remains today in certain sayings, such as, “It does my heart good,” or “I’m broken-hearted,” or “sick at heart.”

Cupid
Cupid, the mischievous son of the Goddess of Love, Venus, is supposedly responsible for people falling in love. According to the myths, anyone being hit by Cupid’s arrow falls in love with the first person he/she sees.

Ribbons
Ribbons, laces and frills as perfect Valentine symbols have been used since the ancient times of knights and nobles who used to wear the scarf adorned with ribbons, laces and frills specially prepared by their beloveds.

Hundreds of years ago, if a woman dropped her lace lined handkerchief, a man might pick it up for her. Sometimes a woman might intentionally do this! This is another way that lace and romance were connected.

Key and Lock
In Wales wooden love spoons were carved and given as gifts on February 14th. Hearts, keys and keyholes were favorite decorations on the spoons. The decoration meant, “You unlock my heart!”

Rose
Rose is one of the most popular flower and one of the most powerful symbol of Valentine’s Day. The rose is found in many different colors and each of these colors has a different meaning.

Red Roses – Love and passion
Yellow Roses – Friendship
White Roses – True love and purity of the mind
Pink Roses – Friendship or Sweetheart
Black Roses – Farewell

Love Knots
Love knots have plenty of swirls and loops but no beginning or end, symbolizing everlasting love.

Love Birds and Doves
It was believed that on this romantic day, birds found their mates. This belief is still cherished by love struck people all over the world. The lovebirds have come to signify that belief. It is said that the lovebirds can’t live without their mates. The dove signifies purity, meekness and innocence.

Social Studies: Post Office
Mr. Whiskers picked up three valentines at the post office. The post office is a place that takes mail sorts it out and delivers it to the address on the letter or package. After you write a letter, and address the envelope, you will need to buy a stamp. A stamp pays for the delivery of the letter. If you were mailing a heavy package or letter it might take more than one stamp. Every country uses stamps for letters. Stamp collecting is the most popular hobby in the world. The post office comes out with new stamps every year.

Carriers pick up the mail from your home mailboxes and the blue mailboxes on the street. They put it in big mail hampers, and then they are wheeled onto a truck. The truck goes to a bigger post office. At the big post office, the mail is sorted; and bar codes and post marks are added by sorting machines. These machines also put wavy lines on the stamp so it can’t be used again. The mail is sorted by zip code and put on the post office nearest the zip code. Carriers put the mail into slots for the people on their delivery routes. Each house has its own slot. The mail is then driven or carried by a mail carrier to your house.

You can grab a copy of the entire Cranberry Valentine Unit Study and Lapbook in an easy-to-print file at the end of this post.

Cranberry Valentine Lapbook Printables

In addition to the unit study lessons, the Cranberry Valentine file also includes these lapbook printables:

• Cranberry Valentine Story Sequencing Cards & Pocket
• How to Address an Envelope Simple Fold Book
• Holidays Mini-book
• New Words Heart Accordion
• What Happens to My Valentine Mail?
• Heart Facts Heart Shape Book
• Cake Recipe Card & Pocket
• Roses Flap Book
• Copywork Page
• Valentine Symbols Shutterflap Book

How to Get Started with Your Cranberry Valentine Unit Study & Lapbook

Follow these simple instructions to get started with the Cranberry Valentine Unit Study:

1. Buy a copy of the book, Cranberry Valentine, or borrow one from your local library. This book is currently out of print, but you may be able to utilize your library’s interlibrary loan program to obtain one to borrow.
2. Print the Cranberry Valentine unit study.
3. Choose the lessons you want to use with your student (a highlighter works great for this).
4. Choose and prepare the lapbook printables you want to use with your student.
5. Enjoy a week of Valentine’s Day learning with Cranberry Valentine.

Get Your Free Cranberry Valentine Unit Study & Lapbook

Simply click on the image below to access your free Cranberry Valentine Unit Study and Lapbook.

More Valentine’s Day Resources