February Teaching Ideas: A Planning Guide for Elementary Teachers
February may be the shortest month, but it’s one of the most content-rich. Black History Month, Valentine’s Day, Presidents Day, Groundhog Day, and Lunar New Year all land here — and you have strong resources for every single one. The challenge is making intentional choices about what to prioritize rather than trying to do everything at once.
This guide covers every key date worth planning around in February, classroom activity ideas that stay rigorous through the holiday excitement, and ready-to-use resources for every week of the month.
Key Dates to Plan for in February
- Black History Month — All month
- Groundhog Day — February 2
- Lunar New Year — Dates vary (late January or early February)
- Valentine’s Day — February 14
- Random Acts of Kindness Day — February 17
- Presidents Day — Third Monday in February
- Super Bowl — First Sunday in February
Black History Month — More Than a Week
Black History Month deserves the whole month — not a one-week unit squeezed between Valentine’s Day parties and Presidents Day. The best Black History Month instruction is spread intentionally across February, embedded in real reading and writing work, and treats the subject with the seriousness it deserves.
Biography research projects are one of the strongest formats. Students research a significant figure, write an informational piece, and create a bulletin board display — hitting research writing standards while engaging with real history. The key is letting students choose their own subject wherever possible. Student ownership makes the writing better.
Biography Research Projects
- Black History Month Mini Biographies Research Project Template & Craft
- Black History Month Biography Research Poster Project with Reading Passages
- Black History Month Biography Project — Reading Passages & Research Writing
- Black History Month — Jackie Robinson Research Report (3rd–5th Grade)
Reading Comprehension & Nonfiction Text
- Black History Month Reading Comprehension & Writing Packet
- Black History Month Nonfiction Text Features — Barack Obama
For February novel study options that connect to Black History Month themes, see the dedicated guide: Great Novel Studies for February — covering Stone Fox, Wonder, chocolate-themed book clubs, and Presidents Day read alouds.
Groundhog Day — February 2
Groundhog Day is a low-prep, high-engagement hook for the first week of February. Reading comprehension activities and writing prompts work perfectly as a center, early finisher option, or sub plan anchor.
Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year falls in late January or early February. Reading passages, cultural research, and poetry writing give students genuine understanding of the traditions behind the holiday.
Valentine’s Day — Keeping It Academic
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be a lost instructional day. The candy heart STEM challenge gets students building, measuring, and problem solving. Opinion writing and proofreading task cards keep the literacy block running right through February 14.
- Candy Heart Stacking — Valentine’s Day STEM Challenge
- Valentine’s Day Bulletin Board — Printable Writing Prompts (2nd–4th Grade)
- Valentine’s Correct the Sentence — Proofreading & Editing Task Cards
Presidents’ Day — Third Monday in February
Presidents Day is a natural informational writing anchor. Biography research on Washington and Lincoln hits research writing standards while covering real history. The Magic Tree House Civil War bundle pairs naturally with Lincoln content, and Duck for President is one of the best low-prep introductions to elections for younger students.
- Presidents Day Research Project — Abraham Lincoln & George Washington Biography
- Presidents Day Research Project — Biography Graphic Organizer & Craft
- Presidents Day Reading Comprehension & Writing Packet
- Duck for President — ELA Read Aloud, Comprehension & Presidents Day Passage
- Magic Tree House: Civil War on Sunday & Abraham Lincoln Fact Tracker Bundle
- Barack Obama Nonfiction Text Features — Presidents Day & Black History Month
Super Bowl Season
Students are talking about the Super Bowl whether you plan for it or not. Football-themed proofreading task cards channel that energy into actual grammar practice.
February Writing & ELA
- February Bell Work Writing Journal — Opinion, Narrative & Expository Prompts
- Would You Rather February — Opinion Paragraph Writing Practice
February Math
February Sub Plans
Presidents Day makes February a short week, and cold and flu season means unexpected absences are common. Have sub plans ready before February 1.
- 2nd Grade February Sub Plans — Groundhog Day & Valentine’s Day
- 3rd & 4th Grade February Sub Plans — No Prep
Tips for February
Black History Month before Valentine’s Day. Plan your biography projects for weeks one and two so they get real instructional time — then Valentine’s Day in week three feels celebratory rather than disruptive.
February is your strongest month for informational writing. Black History Month biographies, Presidents Day research projects, and Groundhog Day nonfiction reading all hit informational writing standards. Use the natural content load to push your writing unit further than any other month.
Valentine’s Day is one class period, not one week. The candy heart STEM challenge, a proofreading task card set, and a writing prompt can all fit into a single engaging February 14 schedule. Students feel the holiday is acknowledged; you don’t lose a full instructional week.
Use the Presidents Day short week strategically. A three or four day week is not the time for new content. Use it for review, research project work time, or independent reading.
Looking for ideas across the whole school year? Head back to the Elementary Teacher Planning Calendar for monthly planning guides from August through summer.
