Happy Valentine’s Day!
Do you remember when I told you about Susanna Leonard Hill‘s Halloweensie Challenge back in the Fall? Well, she’s at it again! This time with her annual Valentiny Contest!
I love these contests. The prompts spark creativity with just enough “rules” to push you to challenge yourself a little more than you might otherwise. This year’s prompt? Write a 214-word Valentine’s Day story. Include a character who feels guilty about something.
Easy peasy, right? Or is it…? You’ll have to try it to see! Scroll down to check out my two Valentinys.
Use It In the Classroom…
Susanna has made it easy for you. Every teacher knows the mantra “Beg, borrow, steal!” So, although I don’t condone actual thievery, I would suggest making this contest your own! Borrow Susanna’s idea and let your class write, edit, share, and vote on Valentinys. You could award actual prizes or just give kudos to the winners. You decide! But whatever you do, be sure to tell me! I want to know.
And now, without further ado, here are my own Valentinys for 2019:
I Didn’t Give Rufus a Valentine
I didn’t bring Rufus a Valentine. He’s kind of weird, and people make fun of him. I didn’t want them to make fun of me too. So I didn’t bring him a Valentine.
I knew it was wrong, but I didn’t really start to feel bad about it until I walked by his desk and didn’t drop anything into his box.
I looked into my Valentine box. There were so many cards and treats inside!
I wanted to be excited, but I kept thinking about Rufus.
I peeked over to see what the other kids gave Rufus. He had his head down on his desk.
Maybe no one gave Rufus a Valentine, I thought.
I tried to ignore the bad feeling inside, but I knew what I should do.
At recess, I found Rufus sitting in the dirt by the fence.
My heart was beating fast like when I run.
I sat down and didn’t say anything. Rufus didn’t say anything either.
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you a Valentine,” I said after a minute. “Will you forgive me?”
Rufus looked at me. I thought he might yell at me or say no. But then he nodded.
I held out my box of candy and asked, “Do you want to share?”
And Rufus smiled.
I Ate It…
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…
I ate it.
It was right there on the counter, and it smelled so warm and sugary, and Ms. Marjorie wasn’t there, and I just wanted a little taste, but it was so sweet and delicious, and now it is GONE! I am a bad, bad dog. Bad dog!
I think it was something special to Ms. Marjorie because she was singing when she put it on the counter, and she is wearing a pretty dress, and she smells like flowers, which I think smell yucky but she seems to like.
Oh, what should I do?! What should I do?!
I know!
My bone is special…
I’ll leave it right here on this plate for Ms. Marjorie.
There.
Now there is something special on Ms. Marjorie’s plate. Maybe she won’t notice…
“Otto…”
Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear…she noticed.
I am a bad, bad dog.
I slink into the kitchen with my tail between my legs.
I am sorry, Ms. Marjorie. I ate the special yummy thing that was on your plate.
Ms. Marjorie hugs me. I am surprised. I wag my tail a little.
“You are a bad, bad dog,” Ms. Marjorie says. My tail stops.
“But I still love you.”
I love you, too, Ms. Marjorie!
Your turn! Did you write a Valentiny? Did your students? If you did, I’d love to see what you came up with!