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Valentine's Reading Strategies

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Valentine's Reading Strategies

Read the informational text and poem below. Use THIEVES to preview and understand informational text. Use TWIST to think about a poem's topic, words, imagery, structure, and surprise.

Informational text: A Day for Small Acts

Introduction Valentine's Day is celebrated on February 14 in many places. People often share cards, treats, or kind messages. The holiday is also a chance to notice how small acts of care can help others feel included. A tradition that changed The holiday's name is linked to Saint Valentine, but historians do not know for certain which stories about him are true. Over many centuries, February 14 became associated with friendship and affection. By the 1800s, people in the United States were exchanging printed valentines. Today, valentines can be handmade or store-bought, and they may be given to friends, family members, or classmates. Kindness beyond cards A card is one way to show care, but kindness does not need to cost money. Someone might invite a classmate to join a game, help a neighbour carry a bag, or leave an encouraging note. These actions can matter because they show a person that someone has noticed them. A thoughtful choice Not everyone celebrates Valentine's Day, and people may show friendship in different ways. A kind message should make its reader feel welcome, not pressured to give something back. The best gesture is thoughtful and respectful.

Poem: The Best Valentine

I folded up a scarlet heart, And tucked it in my pack. I thought a gift would make the day— A shiny treat to take. But when I saw a quiet friend Standing outside the game, I waved him over, shared my turn, And called him by his name. He grinned; the clouds seemed less like clouds, The cold wind felt less strong. My paper heart stayed in my bag— The welcome was the song.

THIEVES

Preview and reread the informational text. THIEVES stands for Title, Headings, Introduction, Every first sentence, Visuals or vocabulary, End.

1.THIEVES—Title: What is the title of the informational text, and what does it make you expect to learn?

2.THIEVES—Headings: Name two headings from the informational text. What do the headings help you predict?

3.THIEVES—Introduction: According to the introduction, when is Valentine's Day, and what is one purpose of the holiday besides exchanging things?

4.THIEVES—Every first sentence: Copy the first sentence under “Kindness beyond cards.” What main idea does it introduce?

5.THIEVES—Vocabulary: In “A thoughtful choice,” what does “pressured” mean? Use the sentence to support your answer.

6.THIEVES—End: What advice does the final sentence give about choosing a Valentine's gesture?

TWIST

Think about how the poem's details and structure shape its meaning. TWIST stands for Topic, Words, Imagery, Structure, and Twist.

7.TWIST—Topic: Which statement best describes the poem's main topic?

A shiny present is the most important part of Valentine's Day.
Including someone can be a more meaningful gift than an object.
The speaker wants to keep a paper heart safe in a bag.
Cold weather makes it hard to play a game.

8.TWIST—Words and imagery: Choose one phrase from the poem that creates a picture in your mind. Explain what you imagine.

9.TWIST—Structure: How many stanzas are in the poem? Give one detail about how its lines are grouped or sound.

10.TWIST—Twist and reflection: What does the speaker expect to give at first? What becomes the real “best valentine,” and how does this change the poem's message?