Materials
Paper cutter White Styrofoam meat trays, one per child
White paper, 9" x 12" (22.5 cm x 30 cm) Pencils for the children
One #2 pencil with a medium point for teacher Red crayons
Newspaper One 4" long brayer (roller)Rolling pin Flat metal or baked enamel tray or cookie sheet
One tube of pink or red water-soluble ink for block printing
Instructions
1. Use the paper cutter to cut off the sides and any excess from the trays so that they are uniform in size.
2. Fold the 9" x 12" paper in half to be 6" (15 cm) wide. Open and write with a red crayon "I love you," and sign your own name in pencil.
3. Cut more paper the same size as the trays and let the children practice their designs for a card cover with pencils.
4. With pencil, the children draw the same design on the Styrofoam. Do not use letters, as they will be reversed.
5. The indentations left by the pencil will be white when printed. If the grooves are not deep enough, an adult should retrace the design on the Styrofoam with a sharper #2 pencil.
6. Cover the work area with newspaper.
7. Squeeze a little ink onto the metal tray, then roll the brayer in it until it is coated.
8. Roll the brayer onto Styrofoam design until uniformly coated.
9. With ink side down, center the tray on the cover of the card and roll on top of it with a rolling pin, using some pressure. Lift off and let the print dry.More to doGames: Put three to five dry block print trays on the floor. Let the children try to throw a beanbag onto or touching one or more trays. Give the child three or four beanbags with which to try.Keep score beside each name on chart or chalkboard. This will encourage letter and numeral recognition. * Line up the dry block prints on an easel at circle time. Children close their eyes and the teacher removes one design. The children try to figure out which design is missing. As a greater challenge, rearrange the remaining designs. This helps to develop memory. * Use the prints as a matching game. Give a child a dry block print design. Ask him to find the card that matches the design he was given.Math: Count all the circles (or squares or Valentine shapes) on the group of several designs. * Use block printing as a review of the various shapes that the children have learned (square, triangle, diamond, etc.). Each child could block print a different shape and then name it.More art: Use the same technique but vary the design and color of block printing ink to make cards for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Easter, Christmas, Hanukkah or any other occasion. * Block print a border or mural for a bulletin board. Either reuse one design over and over or use many children's designs. * Block print designs on a large sheet of paper and use as wrapping paper for a special parent gift. * Use cards made by block printing as invitations to a schoolactivity or open house. * Design a picture to block print, not necessarily a card. For example, make a snowman and snowflake scene, perhaps using a larger piece of Styrofoam.Original poemsA Valentine for Mommy and DaddyI love you, Mommy.I love Daddy, too,And I want to makeA Valentine for you.I'll get some paper andDraw a heart.I want it to be pretty.How do I start?Maybe some stickers,Some yarn or lace,Perhaps draw an animalOr a funny face.I'll color with crayons,Paint or glitter and glue.Then make some x's and o's to say,"I love you."Making ValentinesI like to cut out ValentinesAnd decorate them with lace.Some are very beautiful,Others have a funny face.I make them for my friendsAnd for my grandparents, too.I'm working on a red shiny oneJust especially for you.Each Valentine is different.I use paper of every kind.When you open up the envelopeYou never know what you'll find.Oh, it's fun to get some cardsOn happy Saint Valentine's DayBut the most fun of allIs giving them away.A Letter to SantaIt's so hard to wait for ChristmasIt takes so long to get hereI think that Merry ChristmasIs the best holiday of the year.I just think and think aboutThe toys I like the very bestAnd Mommy writes a list for meLike a ball, bike or treasure chest.Then my daddy looks at my letter.He reads it over twice,And tells me it's a long listSo I'd better be real nice.I get a big fat envelopeMy letter can't be too wide.And I fold it up just soThen it can hide inside.My mother lets me lick the stamp,And she puts the address on.Then I take it to our mailboxI wonder if the postman's gone?I won't know "til ChristmasIf Santa got my letter all right,But I'll hang up my stocking and hope.Gee, I just can't sleep tonight.