"Bee Mine" Valentines

Two happy little bumble bee valentines.

      Bumbles bee Valentines have been a part of American classroom crafts for over 50 years. They are classic little paper crafts that all young ones love to assemble and share with each other.

      I have included here two of my own "Bee Mine, Valentine" bumble bee patterns for your little ones to make this Valentine's Day. Teachers may wish to print and cut the patterns and then trace them on to heavy cardboard so that students can trace around the stencils all by themselves. 

      You will need bright yellow, white and red construction papers for the bodies, wings and hears. Black chenille stems, black and yellow pom-poms, white glue, scissors, markers and tiny brads are also needed for both paper craft projects combined. 

Directions:

1. Print and cut out the patterns that I have drawn up below. 
2. Trace around the elements using a soft lead pencil and yellow construction paper for the bodies of the bees. 
3. Then cut their wings from white paper or transparent wax paper. I outlined my wings to make them stand out for the photos; but these would be just as cute cut from waxy transparent paper. 
4. Color in the stripes black and add facial features. 
5. Antenna can be cut from the chenille stems and pom poms can be glued to the ends. I also added small yellow pom poms for hands to my first bumble bee sample. Encourage your students to add their own ideas to their bumble bee cards. 
6. Write a traditional bee message somewhere on your Valentine. Something like:

"Bee Mine, Valentine!"

or

"Honey, Your So Sweet!"

or 

"You can attract more bees with a bit of honey!"

 

This cheerful little bug can't wait to
surprise some lucky little Valentine.

This honey bee pattern includes bumble bee parts for two Valentines. You will need to cut one of each before tracing them on to bright yellow and white construction paper.

"Honey Bee My Valentine" bumble bee valentine is crafted from the
paper pattern include above. He is designed from three yellow heart
shapes turned upside down then glued together. Two large white
hearts are his wings. I added a few tiny hearts to his
antenna and cheeks too.

Learn More About Bees:

• Free honeycomb printable paper by kathy grimm for more student Valentines
• Bee themed journal Lesson One and Lesson Two
• Sew baby doll crib bedding, '' it bee so cute...''
• Color this bee fairy's wings 
• Color a ''Happy Easter'' Easter Basket surrounded by bees!

Vintage Bumble Bee Valentines:

"Bee" My Valentine Honey! card

"Bee" My Honey Valentine

"Honey, Bee Mine! card

To My Valentine, I think that you're a honey and I hope
that you'll Bee Mine!" Valentine

Tangram Stencil

       One of the oldest and most fascinating puzzles comes, like so many quaint things, from the Far East where, over four thousand years ago, a learned Chinese man named, Tan, made the invention which forty centuries have been unable to improve or alter. Worthy of a civilization that invented Chess, Tan's puzzle has lived on unchanged through the ages, affording amusement and thought to men of such ability as Napoleon, who during his exile on St. Helena, used to spend hour after hour with the little black geometric figures.

        Print cut and trace around the Tangram pattern below using sharp scissors and black craft paper. Now you will be ready to assemble the Tangram figures below.

Tangrams, a recreation that appears to be at least four thousand years old, has apparently never been dormant,
 and has not been altered or "improved upon" since the original was first cut out the seven pieces shown above
 in diagram 1. If you mark the point B, midway between A. and C., on one side of a square of any size,
 and D, midway between C. and E., on an adjoining side, the direction of the cuts is too obvious to need
 further explanation.

       All these seven pieces must be fitted against each other, never overlapping, in order to make the figures of men, beasts, houses, or the like.

Where does the second man get his foot from?

The cocked hat puzzle with answer on the right.

Lady holding her skirts high puzzle and answer.

The representation of a depressed cat puzzle and it's answer.

The gentleman tired of life puzzle and it's answer.

Tan presenting a puzzle to his wife, answer just right.

Chinese tea set made from Tangrams