Students compose, using the writing process, sentiments to be placed in Literary Valentines . Students design Valentine using technology, selecting fonts, color and symbols appropriate to the creation of the character's message. Students create and publish the Valentines. Students share projects with class and teacher. Checklists will be disseminated during the orientation to the project.
Students engage in informal peer reviews in small groups.
Both student and teacher assesses project after publication. Many are taking a computer class at the same time, so they have familiarity with graphic design. Using inference and character analysis, students respond creatively and thoughtfully to text. In addition, the use of appropriate fonts, symbols and color in the technology-based artistic design aspect of the project provides students with the ability to further develop their interpretations of story character and setting. Pat Shea-Bischoff is a teacher at I. S. 24 in Staten Island, New York.