Bring the legacy of Esther Howland, the “Mother of the American Valentine,” to life in your homeschool middle school classroom with this engaging and educational resource. Perfect for grades 6-8, this lesson combines history and Common Core-aligned writing activities to provide a meaningful Valentine’s Day experience. Whether you’re teaching in a homeschool co-op, group, or individual setting, this resource offers flexibility and rigor to enrich your lessons.

Common Core Alignment:

This resource is designed to meet essential Common Core ELA standards, ensuring your homeschool curriculum is both engaging and academically robust. Key skills developed include:

• Reading Informational Text (RI.6-8.1, RI.6-8.3): Analyze Esther Howland’s biography to identify main ideas, supporting details, and her cultural impact.

• Writing (W.6-8.1, W.6-8.2, W.6-8.4): Craft persuasive letters, reflective essays, and cultural comparisons, encouraging structured and evidence-based writing.

• Speaking and Listening (SL.6-8.1): Foster meaningful group discussions and collaborative engagement.

These activities are ideal for building critical thinking, writing, and analytical skills while celebrating Valentine’s Day traditions.

Writing Prompts and Activities:
Your students will explore creativity and critical thinking with 10 diverse writing prompts tailored for homeschoolers, including:

• Persuasive Writing: Write a letter as Esther Howland convincing investors to support her handcrafted valentine business.

• Cultural Comparisons: Compare Victorian English and 19th-century American views on love and relationships.

• Reflective Writing: Explore how creativity drives innovation in both historical and modern contexts.

• Creative Storytelling: Imagine receiving a valentine from Esther herself and craft a heartfelt reply.

These prompts cover a variety of writing styles—narrative, expository, and argumentative—allowing students to strengthen their ELA skills while making historical connections.

Designed for Homeschool Groups and Co-ops:
This resource is perfect for homeschool groups, co-ops, or family learning pods. It includes:

• Discussion Questions: Encourage peer-to-peer engagement and critical thinking.

• Scalable Activities: Flexible prompts and tasks that work for different group sizes or mixed-age settings.

• Collaborative Opportunities: Use the reflective and comparative writing tasks as group discussion starters.

These features make it easy for co-op leaders or homeschool parents to guide meaningful lessons while fostering collaboration and deeper understanding.

Valentine’s Day Meets Academic Growth:
Celebrate Valentine’s Day while reinforcing academic growth. Through the story of Esther Howland, your students will:

• Learn about the origins of Valentine’s Day cards and their cultural significance.

• Explore the history of women entrepreneurs in 19th-century America.

• Develop essential ELA skills like text analysis, structured writing, and cultural comparison.

This resource seamlessly combines academic rigor with the joy of celebrating Valentine’s Day, making it a valuable addition to your homeschool curriculum.

What’s Included:

• Biography of Esther Howland (1-2 pages).

• 10 Writing Prompts (persuasive, reflective, creative, and comparative).

• Discussion Questions for Reflection and Engagement.

• Extension Ideas for Further Exploration.

✨ Inspire your students this Valentine’s Day with this Common Core-aligned homeschool resource! Perfect for individual homeschoolers, co-ops, or homeschool groups, this engaging lesson celebrates history, creativity, and academic excellence. Download today and make Valentine’s Day meaningful in your homeschool classroom!